National Wear Your Pearls Day Date in the current year: December 15, 2025

DeAnna Bookert-Heard, a bestselling author, motivational speaker, and mental health advocate, started National Wear Your Pearls Day in 2015. She shared her story of overcoming difficulty, pain, and depression to encourage people going through hard times and remind them of the light at the end of the tunnel.

But what do pearls have to do with overcoming challenges? To understand, recall how pearls are formed. Each pearl forms when a tiny particle or organism becomes trapped inside an oyster, mussel, or clam. The animal protects itself from the intruder by coating it with layers of nacre, also known as mother-of-pearl, which lines the inside of its shell. Over time, these layers build up into a pearl.

A pearl is beautiful, but it came from something irritating. This illustrates that adversity in life can result in something beautiful over time. Moreover, pearls come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, much like people and the challenges they face.

DeAnna suggests that we wear pearls on December 15 as a reminder that good things can come from bad circumstances and that overcoming challenges makes us stronger. Most people save pearls and other fancy jewelry for special occasions, but National Wear Your Pearls Day is a special occasion. It is a day to remind ourselves that we are strong and resilient and can face life’s challenges.

If you have pearls that have been passed down from your mother or grandmother, dedicate the day to caring for them properly. Many people with family heirloom pearls don’t realize they require ongoing care to preserve their beauty and shine. Wearing your pearls regularly instead of keeping them in your jewelry box all the time is helpful, as is wiping them clean after each use. Over time, the thread holding the pearls can weaken, so it’s important to have them restrung periodically. National Wear Your Pearls Day can be your reminder to do this.

Even if you don’t own pearls, you can still celebrate because, as we’ve mentioned, National Wear Your Pearls Day isn’t about making a fashion statement. It’s about raising mental health awareness and encouraging people to persevere and ask for help when needed. Share your story of overcoming difficulties to encourage others going through hard times and remind them that they can rise above life's challenges.

National Wear Your Pearls Day is also a great occasion to remind people that they don’t have to face hardships alone and that it’s okay to ask for help when needed. Participate in the campaign by letting your friends and family know you’re there for them, helping a friend in need, or volunteering with an organization that helps people in tough situations. And don’t forget to spread the word using the hashtag #NationalWearYourPearlsDay!