MEET MARINA
I've spent 10 years working with pearls — not as a side category, not as one gem among many, but as the only thing I do. I am a Certified Pearl Specialist (CPAA). Pearls are my entire focus. That specificity is deliberate.
In their words...
"Marina shares her knowledge openly — ask her anything and you get a clear, direct answer. Whenever I need something specific, she finds it: the right piece, exceptional pearls, at a fair price."
~ Olga P.
The beginning
A strand of vintage Mikimoto pearls that landed in my hands sparked my curiosity. The questions they triggered led me to a thriving community of pearl enthusiasts and professionals — a universe I knew nothing about but was eager to explore.
Curiosity became study. Study became practical training under globally recognized pearl dealers. I became a Certified Pearl Specialist from the Pearl Association of America (CPAA).
How I select pearls
I buy strategically. One great strand or a remarkable pair over several mediocre ones — every time. Saltwater pearls take precedence over freshwater, because saltwater is rarer and freshwater is abundant. Within that, I look for three things above all: color that is uncommon, form that is true, and luster that stops you. If the luster isn't there, nothing else matters.
Why Pearls
If anyone had told me ten years ago that pearls would become not just my passion but also my salvation and livelihood, I would have laughed at the idea.
Ten years ago, I faced a sudden and devastating tragedy — the death of my husband. Navigating through the shock and the ensuing depression, I found my unexpected solace in pearls.
Pearls gave me something to learn, something to hold, and eventually — something to build.
"I had been completely indifferent to pearls before I met Marina. She educates generously — articles, masterclasses, conversations. When I buy a piece from her, I receive a full dossier on it. During COVID, she held a strand for me for months, patiently and without pressure."
~ Irene P.
What I do
I am one of a small number of dedicated pearl specialists — not gem generalists, not jewelry curators, but someone whose entire focus is pearls. That specificity is intentional.
My role is not to sell you something. It is to help you find the right piece — and to make sure you understand exactly what you're holding when you do.
"Whatever Marina takes on, she approaches with utmost professionalism; everything is always meticulously studied and not just exhaustively, but also very engagingly explained, demonstrated, and narrated. There's even a certain danger of getting quite 'hooked' on her subject, so to speak—but it's a pleasant addiction. You expand your horizons and begin to understand things you had no idea about before. Secondly, you have the rare opportunity to assemble a unique collection of real treasures! And, after all, is there really a need to explain why people need beauty in their lives? 🙂"
~ Laura K.
Stay in touch
If pearls interest you — whether you're ready to buy or just starting to learn — the best place to find me is to subscribe to my newsletter down below. Pearl knowledge, new arrivals, sourcing stories, and the occasional opinion on what the market gets wrong. No noise.
I also appear at local shows and host intimate in-person events in the San Francisco Bay Area, where you can see pearls up close, ask anything, and handle pieces before you decide.
- Book a Private Consultation with me.
See you in pearls,
Marina
