Forget all associations with the prim, well-mannered pearls of yore: this season’s pearl jewellery is here to party.

Indeed, as pearls continue to take a starring role on the ears, wrists, necks and fingers of the style set, designers are finding ever-more innovative ways to incorporate the seductive sheen of pearls into their collections.

At Chanel, you’ll find them set alongside diamond stars as part of a dramatic constellation of an ear cuff that demands a side-swept hair-do to show it off. At Cassandra Goad, who uses pearls as an integral part of her collections, there is a gob-stopper of a baroque pearl hung from a fantastically chunky belcher chain.

The remarkable pearl tassels at Anabela Chan are almost begging to go out dancing, while Dior’s architectural ‘Sea Garden’ necklace looks just as striking under a crisp collar as it does on bare skin.

Here, we’ve selected the best pieces for the party season. Take note: these are not your granny’s pearls.