Silver Linings, a sterling silver and gemstone jewelry store located in St. Michaels and Easton, will give every female graduate of Talbot County high schools a strand of freshwater pearls. Each necklace, valued at $75, is finished with a sterling silver clasp.
Aida Leisure, owner of Silver Linings and DBS Fine Jewelers, developed the initiative in 2011 as a way to give back to the community. Now in its eighth year, the Pearls of Promise project has gifted a strand of pearls to over 1,200 young women, Leisure estimates.
“These young woman will now own and wear a classic piece of jewelry,” says Leisure. “It may be the predominant accessory she wears for professional interviews. It very well could be worn on her wedding day, and she may even pass the necklace on to a child in future years. Even if she never purchases or receives another piece of fine jewelry in her life, she will always have her Pearls of Promise.”
Pearls are symbolic for Talbot County graduates, most of whom were born and raised on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, an area famous for the Eastern oyster. Pearls are formed within the soft shell of certain oyster species.
The Pearls of Promise necklaces will be distributed prior to graduation, allowing students the opportunity to wear their pearls at commencement ceremonies.
High resolution image available for download via Dropbox: https://bit.ly/2L9GHRN
About Silver Linings
Silver Linings is a sterling silver and gemstone jewelry store located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in St. Michaels and Easton. Shop nautical and Chesapeake Bay themed jewelry, designer collections, and one-of-a-kind pieces in stores or online at www.silverliningsmd.com. For more information, call 410-745-0266 or 410-822-7333.
Dr. Fran White says
I wish to take this opportunity to publicly praise and share my gratitude for all of those lovely pearl necklaces that have been given to the female graduates of Talbot County high schools. All three of my granddaughters were each given this gift of love, praise and outstanding generosity and it is hoped our youngest granddaughter who resides in Talbot County, who will graduate in three years ,will be blessed with your magnificent pearls.
It is also so hoped that, over the years, you have received personal notes of thankfulness from these young women who should always appreciate your generous gift at the beginning of their adult life and their future. It is, indeed, an honor to have such an outstanding proprietor in our retail community to have mastered the art of giving rather than the fixation of making a profit. Thank you Aida Leisure for your generosity and inspiration!!
Dr. Fran White
Jonathon Powers says
Dear editor,
Aida deserves a sincere thank you from all of us for starting this tradition of pearls for our local high school graduates. It is a true act of kindness and meaning that often goes overlooked. Thank you Aida for your leadership role in our community.
Jon Powers