Cotton Pearls are a delight! And a designer's dream. We all love natural and crystal pearls, but Cotton Pearls are so much lighter! They are excellent for earrings (no sagging ear lobes!), and they look wonderful in any necklace design, especially chunky ones. Dating back to the 18th century, Cotton Pearls were created by spinning pressed cotton into a tight ball and finishing with a pearlized coating that holds up to even tough use. The technique has changed little today.