Pearl jewelry has been crafted for centuries by artisans across the globe, with major centers of production developing in Japan and China. These pieces were traditionally fashioned to celebrate milestones, weddings, and formal evening events throughout the twentieth century. Cultured pearls were painstakingly grown by inserting a small bead into an oyster, allowing nature to coat it in shimmering layers of nacre.

Such matching sets were worn by women of means during formal dinners, galas, and important social gatherings. They were fastened securely around the neck and fastened to the earlobes using screw-backs or clips before modern pierced styles became common. Over time, changing fashions moved away from formal matching suites toward casual daily wear, leaving many vintage sets preserved in their original boxes.