No, I'm not a jeweler. It's great that the website is reputable, but I didn't put it on because it's my personal list, and I was listing websites off the top of my head that I personally knew, or I heard being talked about on TPG. If you check at TPG, I'm just an enthusiast, nothing more, nothing less. If people want to my opinion, then I'm more than happy to give it, but just because I didn't put xyz site on, it doesn't mean that it's not a good site, it's just that I haven't researched it/feel comfortable sharing it ("endorsing" would be a better word choice, but I'm not making any money).
Pearl Education (Warning: Somewhat of a Rant)
- Thread starter callire
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No, I'm not a jeweler. It's great that the website is reputable, but I didn't put it on because it's my personal list, and I was listing websites off the top of my head that I personally knew, or I heard being talked about on TPG. If you check at TPG, I'm just an enthusiast, nothing more, nothing less. If people want to my opinion, then I'm more than happy to give it, but just because I didn't put xyz site on, it doesn't mean that it's not a good site, it's just that I haven't researched it/feel comfortable sharing it ("endorsing" would be a better word choice, but I'm not making any money).
For those of you who have ordered from pearl paradise, can i get some info? how long does it take them to process and ship an order? what experience have you had with communication?
I placed an order for a couple of pearl studs (freshadama) on the 28th, and there's been no info update for shipping or tracking & the like. I've sent a couple emails... one today & one yesterday asking about information on my order, but so far no reply....
I live in Hawaii, so i get that sometimes it takes longer for stuff to get here, but i'd like to know if my order has even been processed or shipped yet.....
I placed an order for a couple of pearl studs (freshadama) on the 28th, and there's been no info update for shipping or tracking & the like. I've sent a couple emails... one today & one yesterday asking about information on my order, but so far no reply....
I live in Hawaii, so i get that sometimes it takes longer for stuff to get here, but i'd like to know if my order has even been processed or shipped yet.....
Hi Callire, The prices on my website are at full MSRP because I am a wholesaler and manufacturer. I purchase directly at auction and/or from pearl farms and than produce retail lines for US retailers on both coasts. Because of this, all of my pieces must be listed at full MSRP. I am also often contracted to design specific 14k-18k gold findings, mountings or product lines for retail stores/ online stores/ manufacturers, so as a result I cannot have a list price on any of my items that would in turn cause a retailer to come after me with a very sharp hatchet or make a voodoo doll in my likeness.
However, I can offer coupon codes and sales, so in general there is usually a 25-40% coupon floating around that can be googled, a "steals & deals" page with loose diamonds/ loose pearls/ pearl items offered at 50-70% off list or diamonds at a % back off Rapp ect. 98.78965 out of 100 customers that go through the online store use a code. (That 1.21035 is actually just me doing it to throw myself off when I'm bored on a slow day.)
I agree with you wholeheartedly on The Pearl-Guide and it's educational resources for consumers. Jeremy is a very pleasant guy that I frequently see at industry events & tradeshows. That said, as a pearl dealer/chubby dorky bench jeweler, I am supportive of other pearl dealers & jewelers that appreciate pearls as much as I do and I like that there are multiple pearl resources out there. I am also a strong advocate for giving people the best information in order to make an informed decision no matter where they buy from. In fact, my friends on here will most certainly tell you that I encourage them to buy & enjoy any good deal they see no matter where they purchase from (perhaps that is why I am not doing 40 million in business like Jeremy Shepard
).
.... as a pearl dealer..(sic) & ..jeweler, I am supportive of other pearl dealers & jewelers that appreciate pearls as much as I do and I like that there are multiple pearl resources out there. I am also a strong advocate for giving people the best information in order to make an informed decision no matter where they buy from. In fact, my friends on here will most certainly tell you that I encourage them to buy & enjoy any good deal they see no matter where they purchase from (perhaps that is why I am not doing 40 million in business like Jeremy Shepard
Amen to every word!
I have purchased several things from FutureFashionista and trust her implicitly. I find that as with most things, with jewelry, you generally get what you pay for. yes, some brand names like Mikimoto are higher than others because you are factoring in marketing costs. This is one of the reasons I like to deal with Elana. She is an independent jeweller with lower overhead and free to let her creativity dictate her designs. I have been very very pleased with everything I have bought from her and she is also doing custom work for me. Her design sense is unbeatable.
Of course, people are free to shop where they please, but I found it interesting that this thread has continually directed people to a small number of sites - it's made me wonder if some of the posters perhaps are affiliated with them? Again, nothing wrong with that if it is declared openly, I think.
For the record, I am not affiliated with Elana but I do have a vintage jewellery business.
Of course, people are free to shop where they please, but I found it interesting that this thread has continually directed people to a small number of sites - it's made me wonder if some of the posters perhaps are affiliated with them? Again, nothing wrong with that if it is declared openly, I think.
For the record, I am not affiliated with Elana but I do have a vintage jewellery business.
You said it Japster - (I have not purchased from her, I have just read some posts and the fact that members here are happy speaks volumes in my book - akin to buy the seller not the jewels) Orchids I love the necklace!
Callire, thanks again for starting this thread! I am loving the necklaces the ladies have posted here!!
Callire, thanks again for starting this thread! I am loving the necklaces the ladies have posted here!!
Just to share, geminisparklers and myself are not affiliated to anyone here, we just happen share a strong love for pearls, and our previous buys from PP and TPO turned out to be pretty successful to date, personally I'm waiting for a few more strands to arrive 
I love some of the GSS I saw on FutureFashionista's site too...
Callire, thank you for this lovely thread and all the wonderful information you've shared!
I love some of the GSS I saw on FutureFashionista's site too...
Callire, thank you for this lovely thread and all the wonderful information you've shared!
Orchids, beautiful pearls, congrats!
What's the size of your pearls please? They look just right!
And please, post modelling pix of your other pearls as well
Gotta LOVE pearls!!!
Thank you for the kind comments ladies. I will have to post better pictures later this week. Correct me if I'm wrong Japster, but the specs of the 31-piece SS baroque strand range from 10.6-14 mm.
Did you check to see if they're out of stock? I know a lot of the studs aren't in stock at the moment. I'd call them, they're actually pretty helpful if you can snag someone on the phone. They're usually pretty good with emails too, I normally get a response within 48 hours.
Thank you Callire and everyone on this thread for the incredible pearl education!!! I have learn so much about pearls and all your pearl purchases are just TDF!!!
btw, I just ordered a 72" freshwater necklace from Jaspter, Can't wait to wear it!!! YaY!!!
btw, I just ordered a 72" freshwater necklace from Jaspter, Can't wait to wear it!!! YaY!!!
Thanks to dreamdoll for clarifying on my behalf too!I am not affiliated to any of the stores mentioned. I was merely buying out of passion and love for pearls which I thought were sold at very attractive prices since I have only been buying my SSPs from my local store jeweller; plus some lower grade FWPs from the beading stores over at my end of the world.
Seeing higher quality FWPs available online made me so happy[and of course fueled my spending over the last 2 weeks] and I thought I should share here with all the pearl lovers, enthusiasts, experts, etc.
