Pearl bracelets?

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#31
I also want Tahitian baroque dangles and necklace, some golden South Sea dangles and a pearl rope - I can see Pearl Paradise doing quite well out of me!

This will be my first purchase .... still working out final choices. I know I can afford the white 4 piece set and probably the rope as well if I opt for 7.5-8mm, but if this forum has taught me anything, it's to wait until you can afford the item you *really* want.
 
#32
Have you considered the white metallic freshwater pearls? From memory... they come in CHEAPER than the Freshadamas and dear god they are so much more lustrous lol. They ARE different to the Freshadamas- in that they give off a really sharp reflection, much closer to akoyas than the softer lustre of regular freshwater pearls but *shrugs* I love mine. One thing to keep in mind though is that the regular freshwater pearls tend to reflect a little more pink (for the ones I have in front of me atm anyway) and my metallic freshwaters have a sharper slightly more gold/silver/blue/pink... reflect (i.e. orient). Sorry... I know that isn't so helpful but it's really hard to describe them.

Just a thought ;) coz buying the metallic freshies may put you in under that awful $1000 customs limit! (the earrings cost less- i THINK. the necklace costs like $4 more) :)

**Opps: ETA Just realised you want the 8.5-9mm!! The metallics only come in at around 8-8.5mm at the largest so maybe not... but worth considering! What I HAVE found though is that white pearls with really good lustre tend to look larger than they actually are...

Just added a pic in the pearl colours thread if you wanna take a peek at metallic freshwaters though!
 
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#34
CrystalDreams said:
Have you considered the white metallic freshwater pearls? From memory... they come in CHEAPER than the Freshadamas and dear god they are so much more lustrous lol. They ARE different to the Freshadamas- in that they give off a really sharp reflection, much closer to akoyas than the softer lustre of regular freshwater pearls but *shrugs* I love mine. One thing to keep in mind though is that the regular freshwater pearls tend to reflect a little more pink (for the ones I have in front of me atm anyway) and my metallic freshwaters have a sharper slightly more gold/silver/blue/pink... reflect (i.e. orient). Sorry... I know that isn't so helpful but it's really hard to describe them.

Just a thought ;) coz buying the metallic freshies may put you in under that awful $1000 customs limit! (the earrings cost less- i THINK. the necklace costs like $4 more) :)

**Opps: ETA Just realised you want the 8.5-9mm!! The metallics only come in at around 8-8.5mm at the largest so maybe not... but worth considering! What I HAVE found though is that white pearls with really good lustre tend to look larger than they actually are...

Just added a pic in the pearl colours thread if you wanna take a peek at metallic freshwaters though!
Click to expand...

I really like the metallic freshwaters but they don't have dangles or a bracelet option at this point. I seem to have it in my head that I want the Freshadama set over the metallics because they are rounder. I know the Freshadama are top quality, and I'm trying to make sure all if my jewellery purchases are helping me to build a really good collection with no regrets. Hence the size. Honestly I'd be happy with 8-8.5mm as a compromise but PP don't offer Freshadama in that size. The 7.5-8mm look nice, but I just KNOW that I'd always wish I'd bought the bigger ones.

I'm thinking along the lines of "do it once, do it right", and so many have told me that pearls "shrink" the longer you have them, much like diamonds.
 
#35
The freshwater metallics are very round :) some of them (i think the earrings do- not sure about the strands) actually come in a Freshadama option! It's too bad they don't offer them in other sizes or options though :( Truly I have compared them side by side... and the metallics have amazing an orient and lustre to them that dull the freshadama... though I will admit, the freshadama ARE beautiful and stand out pieces on their own.

I bought the Freshadama earrings for a friend (same size as my white metallics) because she preferred to not have orient and a softer lustre... unfortunately she has moved far away or I'd do a comparison pic for you!

Whichever you choose though, know that PP's pearls are truly lovely and you will love them forever! :D Good luck with your purchase and post photos when you get them!
 
#36
Interesting, I thought the Freshadama pearls had orient, just not as sharp as akoya? I'm guessing its one of those things where it's hard to tell the difference unless they are side by side.

I'm curious about your drilled pearls from the other thread. Did you buy them loose for a project?
 
#37
Blossy said:
Now I want them even more!!!

Part of me is toying with a lesser quality bracelet as I know it's going to be banged up a lot.

Darn darn $1000 customs limit! Maybe I'll buy over 2 shipments and have one addressed to my MIL or something so they come in under the limit...
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do it :D

Blossy said:
Interesting, I thought the Freshadama pearls had orient, just not as sharp as akoya? I'm guessing its one of those things where it's hard to tell the difference unless they are side by side.

I'm curious about your drilled pearls from the other thread. Did you buy them loose for a project?
Click to expand...
the freshadamas do have orient but the metallics are out of this world on orient! the sharpness of the luster is insane! If I had to choose between the two I would pick the metallic freshwaters over freshadama just because of the luster is colours in the orient :D
 
#38
I got a quote in - the lovely Mia is willing to package up the strand, studs and dangles as a set, which attracts a discount. With the code given by Candice, I can buy the three items plus a AAA bracelet while the sales are on, and scrape through under the customs limit.

Considering the bracelet is worn away from the earrings, I'm guessing its fine that its not Freshadama - AAA is a top grade anyway, and I was always a touch dubious about buying Freshadama for a bracelet given it *is* considerably more expensive and pearls on the wrist are more subject to damage.

I believe the clasps are the same so I can still use the bracelet to temporarily lengthen the strand if the occasion and outfit calls for it.

Only thing I cannot do is cannibalise the bracelet should I need matching pearls if the necklace gets damaged or I lose an earring - but I figure in that event, Pearl Paradise could hopefully match some extras anyway.
 
#39
Blossy said:
I got a quote in - the lovely Mia is willing to package up the strand, studs and dangles as a set, which attracts a discount. With the code given by Candice, I can buy the three items plus a AAA bracelet while the sales are on, and scrape through under the customs limit.

Considering the bracelet is worn away from the earrings, I'm guessing its fine that its not Freshadama - AAA is a top grade anyway, and I was always a touch dubious about buying Freshadama for a bracelet given it *is* considerably more expensive and pearls on the wrist are more subject to damage.

I believe the clasps are the same so I can still use the bracelet to temporarily lengthen the strand if the occasion and outfit calls for it.

Only thing I cannot do is cannibalise the bracelet should I need matching pearls if the necklace gets damaged or I lose an earring - but I figure in that event, Pearl Paradise could hopefully match some extras anyway.
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sounds amazing! you get everything you want all in one go...and within budget :smile1:
 
#40
I'm tempted. Waiting on another final advice from Mia before I pull the trigger.

I'm not 100% convinced I'll be happy with the bracelet - fussy much? I really want a complete matching set.

So silly!
 
#41
Blossy said:
I'm tempted. Waiting on another final advice from Mia before I pull the trigger.

I'm not 100% convinced I'll be happy with the bracelet - fussy much? I really want a complete matching set.

So silly!
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I got my akoya bracelet today with the upgraded clasp, perfect size for me! I think it's 6.0 to 6.5 mm pearls :smile1:

hmmm I'm not one to need everything to match, I like when pieces are all slightly different but if this is what makes you happy then wait until you can get a full set! I've learned that lesser options then what my mind is set on will never suffice ;)
 
#42
Blossy said:
Interesting, I thought the Freshadama pearls had orient, just not as sharp as akoya? I'm guessing its one of those things where it's hard to tell the difference unless they are side by side.

I'm curious about your drilled pearls from the other thread. Did you buy them loose for a project?
Click to expand...


Some Freshadama do, some don't. I think orient is also very dependent on the viewer- some people seem to see it more easily than others? I don't know how that works haha

However, in a direct side by side comparison... if it's lustre and orient you're looking for, the metallic freshwaters win hands down with no competition. It's like they have a rainbow reflecting off them as Candice said- while still being white? It's really hard to explain!

And yes! Those loose pearls are for whatever projects take my fancy :) They're what I had left over from when I made my friend a pearl tin-cup bracelet. She wanted to drop several hundred on the t&co one... I told her I could make her one which... granted would be nowhere near as good as a real T&co since it isn't tiffanys... but would have pearls that are at LEAST as comparable... if it was just the style that she was after! I recently made one with south sea pearls for myself (it's in the back of the pic I posted in the other pearl thread) and wore it out for the first time today. Love it! I may be straying from freshwater pearls to south sea soon... And to think I started off originally with mikimoto! I think you're making the right choice for sure by going with freshwater pearls ;)
 
#43
I'm now still thinking about the Freshadama bracelet - silly and expensive, but I think I just want the whole set at the same quality. Do it right and do it once is the motto! I would have to order one lot to my address under my name and probably one piece to hubby @ his parents address, to avoid being hit by the customs duty.
 
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