The PEARL Lovers Thread!
- Thread starter bougainvillier
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They look wonderful on you!
Without you, I wouldn't have known where to get mine Thanks so much once again 
I love the FaeryBeads baby dragon and those fabulous petrified dragon egg beads! Now I want to add them to my pearl necklaces. Thank you for the inspiration!
I’m a jewelry newb but where do you recommend I get my first pair of nice pearl earrings and pearl necklace? I’m in my late 30’s, a mom, but want to start my collection for date nights. Budget doesn’t matter as long as it’s good quality, worth the investment and is reasonable
I have 2 recommendations for you. Try SakuraPearlsAndGems on Etsy or Pearl Paradise.
Try Sakura first - she has a wide array of pearls and is reasonably priced. She’s very sweet as well, good to deal with and answers questions quickly. Can’t go wrong with Sakura
Pearl Paradise has promotions off and on like 20% off, eg they are having 22% off Tahitian pearls now. You can visit there too and scope out things you like and subscribe to their emails so that you know about promotions in the future.
I have 2 recommendations for you. Try SakuraPearlsAndGems on Etsy or Pearl Paradise.
Try Sakura first - she has a wide array of pearls and is reasonably priced. She’s very sweet as well, good to deal with and answers questions quickly. Can’t go wrong with Sakura
Pearl Paradise has promotions off and on like 20% off, eg they are having 22% off Tahitian pearls now. You can visit there too and scope out things you like and subscribe to their emails so that you know about promotions in the future.
Great thank you!! I’m a bit outdated but I’m guessing I don’t need to go to Mikomoto then for quality pearl pieces?
No, you don’t. Mikimoto produces fine pearls but there are alternatives too. But since you have your heart set on Mikimoto, then you should check them out too, just to be satisfied
I have 2 recommendations for you. Try SakuraPearlsAndGems on Etsy or Pearl Paradise.
Try Sakura first - she has a wide array of pearls and is reasonably priced. She’s very sweet as well, good to deal with and answers questions quickly. Can’t go wrong with Sakura
Pearl Paradise has promotions off and on like 20% off, eg they are having 22% off Tahitian pearls now. You can visit there too and scope out things you like and subscribe to their emails so that you know about promotions in the future.
just wanted to add, as I got older, pearl necklaces seemed to shrink in size, so I recommend buying some that are larger with whatever luster and color you like. . .
just wanted to add, as I got older, pearl necklaces seemed to shrink in size, so I recommend buying some that are larger with whatever luster and color you like. . .
This is some very welcome and wise advice from a great young lady.
There are a variety of how to buy pearl guides out there. Here is one example : https://www.pearlsofjoy.com/pages/how-to-buy-pearls
re what grade,
Pearl Grading: All About the A-AAA Pearl Grading Scales
Cultured pearls are graded on the A-AAA grading scale. Learn the basics of pearl grading before checking out the details of each pearl type: Akoya, Freshwater, Tahitian and South Sea cultured pearls.
www.purepearls.com
I would say, for example, a larger simple stud could be 12 mm, but someone less flamboyant than me, might prefer 7-8 mm (cultured akoya) . . . Shape of the face may also dictate size of a stud earring or whether to get a drop one. . . Or where I wear baroque or fireball (flame ball?) the most, others might prefer a classic round. Freshwater Or Edison (mussel) can be considerably cheaper, and who is to say they aren’t spectacular? TPFers buy all sorts And create all kinds of cool combinations.
@papertiger gave me some good advice when I was starting out buying designer jewelry a few months ago) which was don’t buy starter pieces and be sure you know what you want, for example, if you hate bracelets that make noise or dangly bits, make sure the styles you select are comfor table for your style.
if possibl try befor you buy and have fun!
forgot to add: in 1999 or 2001 or thereabouts, I had the opportunity to buy a strand of mixed, unmatched grey and black pearls (A fashion statement, relatively speaking, at the time) and a strand of classic , matched white semi baroque south sea. The white ones were considerably more expensive (twice the price) and I never wore them. Thye just werent really my style, and they ended up with my aunt. . . So, even if you think you know what you want, try lots of things on! BTW, dont forget your neighborhood jeweler, if you have one. such a resource can most likely show you a variety of pearls to start you on your journey As well as restring, restyle and come up with ideas for loose pearls. . .
here is a somewhat simplified article on Mikimoto if you are interested, however, I agree with @SmokieDragon, that there is no need to pay the up charge for them
What is the big deal about Mikimoto? - The Pearl Girls | Cultured Pearls | Pearl Shop | Restring Pearls | Jewelry Repair
What is the big deal about Mikimoto? Surely you have heard his name. In the pearl business buyers love to throw around the Mikimoto name. Who was Mikimoto?
thepearlgirls.com
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There are a variety of how to buy pearl guides out there. Here is one example : https://www.pearlsofjoy.com/pages/how-to-buy-pearls
re what grade,
and sometimes you may have to try a bit before you buy to get a real sense of the size, style, shape, price that works for you. . .
Pearl Grading: All About the A-AAA Pearl Grading Scales
Cultured pearls are graded on the A-AAA grading scale. Learn the basics of pearl grading before checking out the details of each pearl type: Akoya, Freshwater, Tahitian and South Sea cultured pearls.
I would say, for example, a larger simple stud could be 12 mm, but someone less flamboyant than me, might prefer 7-8 mm (cultured akoya) . . . Shape of the face may also dictate size of a stud earring or whether to get a drop one. . . Or where I wear baroque or fireball (flame ball?) the most, others might prefer a classic round. Freshwater Or Edison (mussel) can be considerably cheaper, and who is to say they aren’t spectacular? TPFers buy all sorts And create all kinds of cool combinations.
@papertiger gave me some good advice when I was starting out buying designer jewelry a few months ago) which was don’t buy starter pieces and be sure you know what you want, for example, if you hate bracelets that make noise or dangly bits, make sure the styles you select are comfor table for your style.
if possibl try befor you buy and have fun!
forgot to add: in 1999 or 2001 or thereabouts, I had the opportunity to buy a strand of mixed, unmatched grey and black pearls (A fashion statement, relatively speaking, at the time) and a strand of classic , matched white semi baroque south sea. The white ones were considerably more expensive (twice the price) and I never wore them. Thye just werent really my style, and they ended up with my aunt. . . So, even if you think you know what you want, try lots of things on! BTW, dont forget your neighborhood jeweler, if you have one. such a resource can most likely show you a variety of pearls to start you on your journey As well as restring, restyle and come up with ideas for loose pearls. . .
here is a somewhat simplified article on Mikimoto if you are interested, however, I agree with @SmokieDragon, that there is no need to pay the up charge for them
What is the big deal about Mikimoto? - The Pearl Girls | Cultured Pearls | Pearl Shop | Restring Pearls | Jewelry Repair
What is the big deal about Mikimoto? Surely you have heard his name. In the pearl business buyers love to throw around the Mikimoto name. Who was Mikimoto?
thank you for all the advice! we have a Mikimoto here but I believe there is also a Na Hoku (never been in either store). I agree, I am not going to be looking for starter studs but something I love and will continue to love. New to jewelry in general as well as pearls despite being older, but it’s never too late to start!
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