pearl

Jewelry and gemstones

These combinations name common pearl jewelry and types of pearl.

• pearl necklace (noun phrase): A necklace made with one or more pearls. She wore a pearl necklace with a simple black dress.
• pearl earrings (noun phrase): Earrings set with pearls. The pearl earrings were a gift from her grandmother.
• a string of pearls (quantity phrase): Pearls threaded together, usually as a necklace. The portrait shows her wearing a long string of pearls.
• cultured pearl (noun phrase): A pearl formed with human assistance inside a mollusk. The ring contains a cultured pearl from Japan.
• freshwater pearl (noun phrase): A pearl produced by a freshwater mussel. Each freshwater pearl has a slightly different shape.

Useful advice or insight

Pearl is used figuratively for something small but especially valuable.

• a pearl of wisdom (idiom): A short and useful piece of advice or insight. Her final pearl of wisdom was to ask better questions.
• pearls of wisdom (plural idiom): Several useful observations or pieces of advice. The guide is full of practical pearls of wisdom.
• a pearl among (figurative pattern): A particularly valuable person or thing within a larger group. This quiet café is a pearl among the tourist traps.

Sentence frames

• a + type + pearl: Name the pearl by origin, color, shape, or production method. The pendant holds a single black pearl.
• a pearl of + abstract noun: Use the figurative pattern most naturally with wisdom. He offered one last pearl of wisdom.