Pearl advice

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I love this look but I'd be so scared of scratching the pearls!
The necklace she has on looks like it might have a few edges, doesn't it?

I tend to do it with a simple chain or something that is relatively smooth. Plus it's just hanging around your neck. It's not like you're going to be grinding the pearls against the sharp edges.
 
I'd go with round, and also cultured if you're sticking to a budget. I own a short string of cultured pearls, and I also have a single pearl pendant necklace which isn't as obvious as a string of pearls. I find myself wearing the pendant pearl more often, so I highly recommend that option!
 
+1 for baroque! I love how each one is unique, it really adds character. Mikimoto has some gorgeous baroque necklaces and strands! (The baroque black south sea example is particularly stunning on their website: http://www.mikimotoamerica.com/categories/necklaces/baroque/baroque-tempo-necklace)

True! Wait for sometime if you have to. But get it right the first time!

Baroque Pearls are very popular & trendy right now. There are many good places to buy quality baroque. I love all shapes & sizes of pearls but the round is classic & never goes out of style. I would suggest you buy as best of quality round strand that you can afford. Wait & save if you have to. It's like the saying goes...Buy once, cry once. A very good quality strand of pearls will become an heirloom passed down for generations.

I have a beautiful set of rounds that didn't cost the earth but are the best quality my money could buy (I even sacrificed the solid gold claps for a solid silver one on the advice of my SA so I could get even better pearls).

In the future I would like a rope of baroques because I think their character is better captured like this, free flowing and able to move. Plus you can actually view them whilst you wear them and roll them around in your fingers :)

Rice pearls would be for very specific look. I don't think you'd find many people here who would choose rice over rounds for a necklace, purely because they're not really in the same category for most. So if it's between those two for you personally, it will be a very personal choice.

I have a beautiful round pearl classic necklace that was gifted to me by my MIL.. It is over 30 yrs old and very good quality. While I love it and appreciate the sentiment behind the gift, I feel like an old lady wearing it.
I truly think baroque has a younger vibe while still being classy. I'll take baroque over classic round. But that's just my opinion .

You can also wear your strand with a necklace of the same length for a very modern look. Let me see if I can find a picture.
View attachment 3144830


Thank you for all your replies. I have had made a list of the ones recommended and will take my time deciding on brand, colour and size. Is there a particular brand that does pearls best?
 
1+ for round pearls, I have a string of rounds and I find them easy enough to modernize (I'm 24 and will often wear them with jeans and a t-shirt... though I should add they are opera length), I also have 2 pearl pendants so if you can also afford a pendant thats a great option if you want just a hint of pearl.

I also have a baroque pearl bracelet from Thomas Sabo (it was a gift with purchase... they're the type with ridges that gives them a bumpy look) that I've never worn, I'm not sure what it is about it but I'm just not as massive fan of them... but as a strand they might be fun.

P.S you can see my pearls in my avatar <<< being modeled by my fabulous dog :graucho:
 
+1 for rounds

Rounds are just more versatile. Casual or dressed up, you can never go wrong with rounds. As far as overtones go, it's best to get out and try some on because not all tones look good on everybody. Plus getting out there and trying them on gives you a chance to see what's out there and that way you can narrow down your choices. There are quite a few online retailers to actually purchase amazing quality pearls from and know exactly what your getting for your money. Unless you have a trusted retailer already, I've just seen too many people buy shell pearls thinking they are getting the real thing.

Also when you are out there looking, try on different sizes to see what you like. I always loved Wilma's pearls on the flintstones as a kid but I didn't like the look on me. Which was sad because I see large pearls on other people and I'm so jealous.

One other piece of advice is to get some really nice quality freshwater pearls as they are all nacre, they really last a long long time. Akoyas are nice but they have a bead nucleus, so over time the outside nacre can wear away exposing the mother of pearl bead inside. I have several vintage strands of akoya pearls that I love but my freshies get worn the most.

I hope you didn't mind that my post is a bit long winded, I just really like to see people get there money's worth and as you can tell I have a soft spot for pearls. :)
 
+1 for rounds

Rounds are just more versatile. Casual or dressed up, you can never go wrong with rounds. As far as overtones go, it's best to get out and try some on because not all tones look good on everybody. Plus getting out there and trying them on gives you a chance to see what's out there and that way you can narrow down your choices. There are quite a few online retailers to actually purchase amazing quality pearls from and know exactly what your getting for your money. Unless you have a trusted retailer already, I've just seen too many people buy shell pearls thinking they are getting the real thing.

Also when you are out there looking, try on different sizes to see what you like. I always loved Wilma's pearls on the flintstones as a kid but I didn't like the look on me. Which was sad because I see large pearls on other people and I'm so jealous.

One other piece of advice is to get some really nice quality freshwater pearls as they are all nacre, they really last a long long time. Akoyas are nice but they have a bead nucleus, so over time the outside nacre can wear away exposing the mother of pearl bead inside. I have several vintage strands of akoya pearls that I love but my freshies get worn the most.

I hope you didn't mind that my post is a bit long winded, I just really like to see people get there money's worth and as you can tell I have a soft spot for pearls. :)


Hi, not sure if it'd be okay to ask here - would anyone have any recommendations on where to get nice freshwater pearls? I have a lovely round Pearl of ayokas that costed me an arm and a leg (at least to me). I'm itching to get something again but can't afford another arm and leg and I do want something with a slightly different colour.

My ayokas attached. I really love them

ImageUploadedByPurseForum1447088614.371090.jpg
 
Your graduated Akoya strand is lovely. It's a beautiful set.

There are quite a few choices for pearls online:

Pearl Paridise
Pure Pearls
Pearls of Joy
Pearlescence.co.uk - United Kingdom
KariPearls - natural and rare pearls
The Pearl Collector - natural and rare pearls

I'm sorry I'm on my phone so I have a hard time doing links that actually work.

Pearl Paridise is pretty good. There are different levels of quality to choose from. I love there premium collection. I definitely recommend them.
Pure Pearls- I've heard good things about them but have never purchased from them.
Pearls of Joy - I'm not sure if they are still around. I know people who were satisfied with them but never purchased there either.
I love Karipearls, she is very helpful as well. I love natural pearls but they can be pretty expensive.
The Pearl collector is nice as well and I know some very satisfied customers there too but again pricy.
 
Your graduated Akoya strand is lovely. It's a beautiful set.



There are quite a few choices for pearls online:



Pearl Paridise

Pure Pearls

Pearls of Joy

Pearlescence.co.uk - United Kingdom

KariPearls - natural and rare pearls

The Pearl Collector - natural and rare pearls



I'm sorry I'm on my phone so I have a hard time doing links that actually work.



Pearl Paridise is pretty good. There are different levels of quality to choose from. I love there premium collection. I definitely recommend them.

Pure Pearls- I've heard good things about them but have never purchased from them.

Pearls of Joy - I'm not sure if they are still around. I know people who were satisfied with them but never purchased there either.

I love Karipearls, she is very helpful as well. I love natural pearls but they can be pretty expensive.

The Pearl collector is nice as well and I know some very satisfied customers there too but again pricy.


Thank you! So helpful! I'd check them out! My pearls aren't a graduated strand btw. They do look like that in the photo I took because of the angle though! Thanks for the compliment! :)
 
Hi, not sure if it'd be okay to ask here - would anyone have any recommendations on where to get nice freshwater pearls? I have a lovely round Pearl of ayokas that costed me an arm and a leg (at least to me). I'm itching to get something again but can't afford another arm and leg and I do want something with a slightly different colour.

My ayokas attached. I really love them

View attachment 3182600

Your Akoyas are beautiful. And classic rounds never go out of style. You can find good quality fresh water pearls in natural colors but just understand, freshwater pearls do not have the luster that Akoyas do. I have both.
 
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