New York - April 25, 2003

Pearls Gone Wild

Pearls Jazzed Up

If ever a jewel needed a better pimp, it’s the pearl. The poor thing has languished too long around Muffy’s prissy neck.

Fish Yu, the self-appointed Pearldaddy, is the man for the job.

Yu means “fish” in Chinese. And who better to update these gems of the deep than a joker named Fish Fish? He puts a funky twist on the usual (necklaces and bracelets) and comes up with clever new creations. For a customer who kept losing her keys, he placed a key ring on one end of a long strand of colored pearls and a fastener on the other. She hasn’t fumbled through her bag since (though she has taken to wearing her keys around her neck). Really, pearls can jazz up any gizmo, from MP3 players to cell phones. Hook a strand through the carrying case, or dangle a few from the antenna (much better than last year’s phone charms).

So go ahead. Dare to imagine a world where pearls can be so much more — fresh, edgy, unique.

And far from the narrow streets of the preppie ghetto.

Pearldaddy, 202 A Mott Street, between Spring and Kenmare Streets (212-219-7727).