Pearl Education (Warning: Somewhat of a Rant)

[FlgirlFM]

I just received my 8-9mm Freshadamas from PearlParadise and I must say that I am quite disappointed with it... Perhaps I am a pearl noob, but a lot of the pearls doesn't look round enough even to my newbie eyes. Also, I found some nicks and blemishes that I totally didn't expect - perhaps 1 or 2, but not on quite a few of the pearls..

Sorry abt the quality of the pics, I used a point-and-shoot cam. I will try to take clearer pics with my DH's camera this weekend when he's home

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13745430@N05/3532412798/in/set-72157618073389647/

To achieve "freshadama" standards, the pearls have to be 95% free of blemishes and have less than 5% deviation from a perfectly round shape. They are not perfectly round or blemish free, and you will see slight variation from strand to strand. The do have the highest luster.

Can I suggest wearing them for a couple of days? They might grow on you.

 

[elizat]

I just received my 8-9mm Freshadamas from PearlParadise and I must say that I am quite disappointed with it... Perhaps I am a pearl noob, but a lot of the pearls doesn't look round enough even to my newbie eyes. Also, I found some nicks and blemishes that I totally didn't expect - perhaps 1 or 2, but not on quite a few of the pearls..

Sorry abt the quality of the pics, I used a point-and-shoot cam. I will try to take clearer pics with my DH's camera this weekend when he's home

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13745430@N05/3532412798/in/set-72157618073389647/

They do look a bit off round to my eyes too, but it is hard to tell. I can't see the blemishes, but bottom line, if you are unhappy, I would return them. I would not keep something you are disappointed with.

 

[pazt]

I received my tahitians today I love them!

dd - love your tahitians! what mm are they? they just look organic and that's what i love about them!

 

[dreamdoll]

i LOVE this thread!

ok! so you all put the bug in me! i finally bit the bullet and bought a strand of tahitians this morning from pearlclassic.com

lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst-30477531689142/tapestmuco10.jpg

that's a stock image from the web site. i'm pumped about this! I bought a pearl pendant from them last year and loved it so I hope these will be just as great

Congrats! They look amazing

Has anyone else bought from Pearl Classic before? I tried to call them, but their number has no answer. And the other number listed on their webby is wrong (i.e. a stranger who didn't sound amerian at all picked up the line and said it was a wrong number). V strange to me.

 

[geminisparklers]

dreamdoll, your tahitians are pretty! I can't wait for mine to be in my hands soon!!!

xegbl, I think your freshadamas look good!

Pearlprofessor, I really like your posts here. Pls do stay for as long as possible to share your views!

 

[dreamdoll]

greenpixie, pazt, geminisparklers - thanks!!

I was concerned about the strand being too dark coloured. Perhaps the beauty of tahitians is they display a variety of colours under different lighting. The pictures were taken in the sunlight, hence the shine and lustre. In dimmer lighting, they appear darker. I feel it was a reasonable tahitian strand to start off with, just for fun and daily wear...

geminisparklers, your strand is beautiful! I'm honoured to have seen them first! Can't wait to see your pics!!

pearlprofessor, likewise, I really enjoy reading your posts, and appreciate that you share your views!! I've definitely picked up a lot of interesting knowledge from your posts as well...

pazt, my tahitians are 8.7mm - 11mm. I actually like the drop baroque shape. And they're a pretty good size for me.

xegbl, I love your freshadamas! Impressive for freshwaters IMHO...

 

[xegbl]

FLgirlFM, elizat: Thanks for ur comments, I do like the luster but when I compared it to the strand shown on the site, it does seem the strand shown is 100% perfectly round... and when I compared them to my Freshadama earrings, you can definitely see that the earrings are perfectly round compared to the necklace.

Just wondering, when they meant 5% deviation, what does that mean? Out of a 100 pearls, only 5 are not round? Sorry for the noob question... LOL

Anyway, I will be exchanging my earrings for a bigger size so I will try to get an exchange to see how it goes. Worse come to worse, I will go down to PP personally to choose one when I go down for a vacation in July/Aug...

dreamdoll, geminisparklers: Thanks! I love ur tahitians, dreamdoll. I wanted to get a strand but DH don't like the baroque style and I can't justify the price of the round ones yet... Not sure whether I will get much use out of it...

 

[Pearl-Professor]

FLgirlFM, elizat:
Just wondering, when they meant 5% deviation, what does that mean? Out of a 100 pearls, only 5 are not round? Sorry for the noob question... LOL

Everybody on this board is probably asleep and I am just waking up!

That would mean that the pearls do not deviate (individually) by more than 5%, not 5 of 100 pearls. Definitely fine pearls.

 

[dreamdoll]

Thanks xegbl! Surprisingly I've realised that the tahitians go with a lot of my outfits, dresses, and tops from black and even yellow to pink. I think I may be a convert now. And the round ones are gorgeous too!

 

[dreamdoll]

Here're a couple more shots of my Tahitians in different lighting

 

[curvychica]

@pearl-professor: perhaps I misunderstood you. well we'll see when the pearls come in! there's a 30 day money back guarantee, so I'll have time to decide.


@dreamdoll: hmmm... I never tried calling them so I'm not sure what went on there. all I can speak of is my past experience with them and I didn't have any trouble

 

[geminisparklers]

Here to share my loot!!!

My tahitian baroques from PP, grey AAA 9.5mm FWP(1st(with flash) and last pic(without flash)) and cherry blossom earrings from TPO

ps I returned the fwp baroque 60" rope cos it didn't turn out as expected.

 

[dreamdoll]

@pearl-professor: perhaps I misunderstood you. well we'll see when the pearls come in! there's a 30 day money back guarantee, so I'll have time to decide.


@dreamdoll: hmmm... I never tried calling them so I'm not sure what went on there. all I can speak of is my past experience with them and I didn't have any trouble

Thanks! Would love to see pics of your strand when you get them

 

[dreamdoll]

GS, gorgeous!!!

 

[dmitchell15]

geminisparklers: I love your cherry blossom earrings. Those earrings are so cute!