Next to diamonds being a girl’s best friend, it must be pearls! And for any photographer wishing to do some fashion jewelry photography, exciting as it is, pearls pose an unique challenge.

Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, might talk about relationships in Sex in the City, but when it comes to fashion or jewelry, she tops the group. Maybe its my photographer’s eye for details, or the fact that you could not pretend not to see her fashion, she has brandished some unique pearls in the show.

They happened to be Mikimoto Pearls, some of the most gorgeous collection of pearls – more than just a jewel, they are a fashion statement. And again, my photographer mind chimed in.

While white, or creme pearls could be the most commonly seen pearls around, the luxurious ones are the black pearls. Black Pearls, also called Black Tahitian Pearls, are probably the most valuable – the main reason being in olden days, oysters produced white pearls in much larger numbers than black pearls.

Even now, the black pearl, made from the black pearl oysters found in Tahiti,  is rarer when compared to the other cultured pearls of China or Japan.  A pearls value depends on its luster & its the same property that makes photographing them both exciting & challenging.

I have found that back lit string of a pearl necklace to be the most rewarding image. It brings out both the shine & luster as well as the reflective halo of these beautiful gems.

You may not like what Carrie Bradshaw writes up in journals in Sex in the City but you would definitely appreciate her tasty in beauty!