Silver Linings, a sterling silver and gemstone jewelry store with locations 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 hand-knotted by Silver Linings staff and 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 sixth year, the Pearls of Promise project will have given strands of pearls to close to 1,000 young women, Leisure estimates.

“We chose to give pearls because they are timeless,” says Leisure. “Each girl will now own a classic piece of jewelry. It may be the predominant accessory of the outfit she will wear for professional interviews. It very well could be worn on her wedding day, and she could even pass the necklace on to a child in future years. Even if she never acquires 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.

The Pearls of Promise necklaces will be distributed prior to graduation, allowing students the opportunity to wear their pearls at commencement ceremonies.

Visit the Pearls of Promise website at www.silverliningsmd.com/about/pearls-of-promise. High resolution images available upon request at info@silverliningsmd.com.

Photo: Silver Linings staff member, Cassidy Stewart, presents a Pearls of Promise Necklace to Sequoia Chupek. Sequoia is class president and valedictorian for the St. Michaels High School 2016 graduating class.