Unisex Pendant Necklace with Tahitian Pearl

Tahitian pearls are cultured pearls produced mainly by the Pinctada margaritifera oyster in French Polynesia. Their natural palette extends beyond black and may include grey, silver, green, blue and aubergine overtones. Circled pearls are characterized by visible rings or grooves around their surface. These features are part of the pearl’s individual character and make every piece visually distinct.

Kalinas & Tainos is a French-Caribbean jewelry brand founded in Saint-Barthélemy in 2011, where every creation draws inspiration from the sea, travel, and the beauty of natural materials.

At the heart of the brand is Jérémy, its founder and creative director, originally from Provence. With a lifelong passion for the underwater world, objects rich in history, and design, his journey naturally led him to the Caribbean, where the colors of the ocean, the unique light of Saint-Barthélemy, and the beauty of cultured pearls continue to inspire him every day.

For over fifteen years, Kalinas & Tainos has been designing and assembling customizable jewelry in Saint-Barthélemy, combining Tahitian, South Sea, freshwater, and Akoya cultured pearls, rare conch pearls, gemstones, ancient coins, kangaroo leather, sterling silver 925, and gold. Each creation is designed to reveal the unique character of these materials through an elegant, timeless style deeply inspired by the art of living in Saint-Barthélemy.

More than a piece of jewelry, Kalinas & Tainos seeks to convey an emotion, a travel memory, and a lasting connection to Saint-Barth. Each creation is designed to accompany its wearer through the years and stand the test of time, like the memory of a precious moment.

Your jewelry is designed to accompany you through everyday life. A few simple habits help preserve the beauty of its materials and the quality of its construction.

To preserve the leather and the pearls’ luster for longer, we recommend removing your jewelry before showering, swimming, exercise and sleep. Perspiration, friction and repeated exposure to water or cosmetics can accelerate wear. Apply perfume and cosmetics before putting on your jewelry, and let them dry. If the leather gets wet, let it dry naturally, away from direct heat.

If the leather becomes paler than its usual shade, dull or less supple, oil it lightly or apply a very small amount of shea butter, then remove any excess. If it stays supple and silky, there is no need to add oil. Also inspect the leather around the pearls: a cut or weakened area should be checked before you wear the jewelry again.

After wear and before storage, gently wipe the pearls and the leather with a soft, clean, dry cloth. This removes traces of perspiration, cosmetics and other deposits that can affect the materials over time, even while the jewelry remains in its box. Store the jewelry separately to limit friction. If it is damp, let it dry naturally before putting it away.

Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are not suitable for pearls. A polishing cloth explicitly suitable for pearls can also help remove surface deposits and restore their shine.

What does the measurement requested for my necklace correspond to?

The requested measurement corresponds to the total desired length of the necklace when worn. For a very precise fit, simply take a piece of thread or string, place it around your neck with a comfortable amount of tension, then adjust it until the imaginary central element sits exactly where you would like the pendant to rest. Remove the thread, measure it flat and provide us with this measurement when placing your order. We will make your necklace according to this length.

Is the neck clasp secure? I’m worried about losing my necklace.

Yes. We have been using this system since 2011 and take great care with every piece to ensure that the closure is firm and secure. We also select pearls suited to this type of clasp and carefully adjust the loop so that it remains firmly in place. The system is not designed to open with a simple pull or normal movement. A specific, deliberate pressure is required to release the pearl from the clasp. This keeps the necklace secure while being easy to open when you want to remove it.

What should I do if the leather becomes worn or breaks over time?

Leather naturally wears over time, but this does not mean the end of your jewelry. Our workshop provides repair services and can replace the leather while preserving your pearls, gemstones and other components. Leather replacement is available for €40, plus €10 for return shipping. Simply contact our team before sending your jewelry so that we can provide you with the appropriate instructions.

How should I care for leather jewelry that I wear every day?

Leather responds differently to your skin, perspiration and activities. If it becomes paler than its usual shade, dull or less supple, oil it lightly. Well cared for leather generally keeps a darker, silky appearance, allowing for its original color. If it stays supple and is sufficiently nourished by contact with your skin, there is no need to add oil. If it becomes too oily, wipe it gently with a barely damp cloth. To preserve the leather and other materials for longer, we recommend removing your jewelry before showering, swimming, exercise and sleep.

Which oil should I use, and how often should I nourish the leather?

At our workshop, we mainly use shea butter or monoï oil. A vegetable oil such as olive oil can also be suitable for the leather in our jewelry. Apply a very small amount to the leather, then remove any excess with a soft cloth, avoiding deposits on pearls. Adjust the frequency to its condition: if it dries out quickly, a light treatment about once a week may be suitable. If it stays supple and silky, routine oiling is unnecessary.

When should I have the leather checked?

Inspect the leather regularly, especially around pearls and contact points. A cut, crack or weakened area should be checked by our workshop before you wear the jewelry again. Lightly oiling dry leather may restore some suppleness, but it cannot repair a cut.

How long can I wear my jewelry before it needs a repair?

In our workshop experience, jewelry on leather or cord that is worn every day often needs attention after about two to five years. This is an approximate guide: wear depends on the construction, your skin, activities and care. If the leather or cord shows signs of weakness sooner, have it checked promptly. Wear to the leather or cord does not necessarily mean the end of your jewelry: our workshop can assess replacing it while keeping the elements of your piece.

Will the overtones be identical to those in the photographs?

Each cultured pearl has its own shades, luster and surface characteristics. The selected color represents a family of shades, rather than a perfectly uniform color. We make every effort to select a pearl or composition as close as possible to the photograph, while respecting the chosen options and the balance of the jewelry.