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They can be, in the right design, though most people get the best from them as an occasion piece. Pearls are soft, and the wrist is the most exposed place to wear them. Every hand wash, every swipe of hand cream and every brush against a desk wears at the surface.
If you want to wear one often, pick a simpler design with fewer pearls or pearls set alongside metal, which takes some of the contact. Save a full strand for days when your hands will not be busy.
Cultured pearls are the norm in fine jewelry, and they are real pearls grown with some human help, so judge them on glow and matching as you would any fine pearl.
Start with the glow. A good pearl reflects light sharply, almost like a mirror, while a weak one looks chalky, and that difference shows at arm's length. Then look at how well the pearls agree with each other in size and tone from clasp to clasp, because one mismatched bead stands out on a short strand.
Finally, read how the piece is put together. A sturdy metal clasp, or pearls set alongside links of metal, copes with a busy wrist better than a fragile closure.
Diamond is the hardest natural material, and pearls are far softer, so a diamond bracelet worn right next to pearls will scratch them every time they touch. If you love both, wear them on different wrists, or put a plain chain or a watch between them.
Planning to wear both often? Choose pearls with a clasp in the same metal as your diamond pieces, so the two wrists still look like a set.
Pearls have a long history at weddings because their soft glow flatters white and ivory fabrics and photographs beautifully. Pearls on the wrist suit a bride who wants something soft and understated, or a set of bridesmaids, and pair naturally with a pearl necklace.
For an evening look, combine pearls at the neck with diamonds at the wrist rather than mixing them on one arm. Browse our full bracelet collection for diamond and gold pieces to wear on the other wrist, or a classic line from our tennis bracelets.