On 26 September 2026, one of the most beautiful Belle Époque residences in Bucharest – the Emanoil Kretzulescu House, the monumental building at 15 Dacia Boulevard, home to Amaru Jewelry – was transformed for an afternoon into a tea salon. The event “Tea, pearls and elegance”, organised by the Calea Victoriei Foundation, was led by Liliana Nestor, co-founder of the Sakura tea house and TeaLove.
Stories from the world of tea, with pearls and smiles
The gathering began with the stories of tea – from the rituals of imperial courts to the elegant salons of Europe – and wove naturally into the story of pearls, the jewel that for centuries accompanied the refinement of these gatherings. We talked about manners and about the gestures and tastes that set tea apart from one corner of the world to another, and then the porcelain cups brought the aromas and, with them, the memories.
Pearls and tea: two symbols of quiet elegance
Like tea, pearls don't clamour for attention. They are beautiful in their simplicity, in their soft glow and in the patience it takes for them to form. Perhaps that is why they were always present at afternoon tea – around the hostesses' necks, alongside fine porcelain and embroidered tablecloths.
A short history of pearls
For centuries pearls were only natural: they formed rarely, in shells gathered by divers in the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea or the waters of India and Asia. A necklace of pearls matched in size and lustre could take years to assemble and be worth as much as a house. It is no coincidence that pearls appear in portraits of queens and noblewomen of every age as a sign of rank and good taste.
All this changed at the beginning of the 20th century, when the Japanese Kōkichi Mikimoto perfected pearl cultivation, placing a nucleus inside the shell around which it gradually lays down layers of nacre. Cultured pearls are real pearls, formed by the shell itself; the process is simply started by people. With them, and with the fashion launched in the 1920s by Coco Chanel, the string of pearls became affordable for many more women and has remained a classic ever since.
The Belle Époque: the age of tea salons
The Belle Époque – “the beautiful era” – is the name given to the years of peace and prosperity between the late 19th century and the First World War. These were the years of grand boulevards, richly decorated façades, opera, cafés and above all tea salons, where women could meet in town, among themselves, in elegant surroundings. Bucharest at that time, often called “little Paris”, gained many of the buildings that still grace the city today.
A place where time has a different patience
In a grand old house where every room tells a story, the tea ritual felt exactly like an afternoon from another age: unhurried, attentive to detail and full of the joy of conversation. Our thanks to the Calea Victoriei Foundation, to our hosts at Amaru Jewelry and to everyone who joined us.
A Belle Époque afternoon at home
- The table. A white or cream tablecloth, white porcelain, perhaps with a gold rim, linen napkins and a few fresh flowers in a low vase, so they don't get in the way of conversation.
- The teas. A fine black tea that also takes milk, from our Black tea collection, and a fragrant green tea such as China Jasmine.
- The sweets. Small cakes that can be eaten in two bites: fruit tarts, mini éclairs, butter biscuits, meringues.
- The atmosphere. Soft music – a waltz or a piano piece – and phones put away.
- The personal touch. A string of pearls, an old brooch or an embroidered handkerchief – a small object with a story that can start a conversation.
Frequently asked questions
What does Belle Époque mean?
It translates as “the beautiful era”. It is the period of roughly four decades before the First World War, known for optimism, technical progress and elegant social life.
What is the difference between natural and cultured pearls?
Both are formed by the shell from layers of nacre. A natural pearl appears by chance, while with a cultured pearl the process is started by people. Natural pearls are very rare and today are found mainly in antique jewellery.
Which tea suits an elegant afternoon gathering?
Classic black teas and floral green teas are the safe choice. For guests who avoid caffeine, an aromatic rooibos rounds off the table beautifully.
Bring the tea salon home
For a classic afternoon tea, we recommend an elegant black tea from our Black Tea collection, or a jasmine-scented green tea from our Green Tea collection. For the basics, read Tea etiquette: 7 simple rules and Tea in the Victorian era.
You'll find our upcoming gatherings on the Press & events page.