STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
stylethread site home page -> stylethread forum -> shopping & fashion -> Pearls
Post Info TOPIC: Pearls
fairywings


Dooney & Bourke

Status: Offline
Posts: 612
Date:
Pearls
Permalink Closed

I would really like to buy a set of pearls (not freshwater, but real ones). I know that pricing depends on the size of the pearl and the length of the chain. I am looking for a pretty traditional sized set (not a very long chain and medium sized pearls). Where do you recommend I purchase them? Do department stores tend to put them on sale certain times of the year? Also, are there really different quality pearls (say if I buy them from Macys they won't be as nice as if I bought them from a small jewelry store)? I would like them to last forever, so quality is an issue. TIA

__________________

beautyloft.blogspot.com
trophywifeintrainingblog.blogspot.com
exsupahero


Kate Spade

Status: Offline
Posts: 1220
Date:
Permalink Closed

check out bluenile.com

__________________

Suasoria


Chanel

Status: Offline
Posts: 3120
Date:
Permalink Closed

My in-laws have a friend who owns a couple of mall-level jewelry stores in L.A. and he says gem quality at Macy's is usually surprisingly good. I don't know about pearls, though.

Beyond size and length, there are varying degrees of pearl quality - you want AAA or AAA+ quality if you're looking for family heirlooms. Color is also important since in a string of pearls or matched set of studs/necklace, you want all the pearls to be the same color. There's quite a variety in pearl color from pinkish to yellowish to grayish. I don't know if there's anything to color other than personal preference, so you may want to look into whether color also affects the price.

You also want them to be heavy and for there to be knots in between each pearl. A graduated string (going from large in the center to smaller at each end) is usually cheaper than a set that's all the same size, and looks just as lovely and classic IMO, especially on a young(ish) woman.

Oh! And I've been told the best way to store pearls is in a box of rice. They like the dark. And your body oils improve their luster over time, so wear them once a month whether you need to or not.

It would pay to do some internet searches for tips on identifying quality in general. I wouldn't order something like this online, personally.

__________________
D


Hermes

Status: Offline
Posts: 8209
Date:
Permalink Closed

I have a lot of pearls -- freshwater, tahitian, south seas, and an antique akoya strand.  Akoya is the best quality of cultured pearls.

When buying pearls you want a thick nacre. Nacre is the secretion that the oyster produces to protect itself from the irritant/bead that is implanted in it to create the pearl.  The longer the irritant/bead is left in the oyster, the more nacre is formed around it.  You can typically see the thickness of the nacre (albeit thin) where the pearl has been drilled.  South seas, tahitian, and akoya are the highest quality as they stay in the longest. 

South seas pearls are usually 8mm and up - if you find black pearls that are smaller than that they are most likely irradiated or dyed.

Do some research on pearls before you buy to educate yourself on them.  Suasoria provided some good information, and although wearing them will create a patina, skin oils, moisturizers, perfume, hairspray and makeup will damage and destroy the lustre of the nacre.  I usually soap up my hands with mild hand soap and wash them with my fingers, rinse with lukewarm water then buff dry with a soft, clean towel.  Too hot or too cold of water can crack the nacre.

I have had great success buying pearls online at overstock.  I bought some gorgeous tahitian pearl studs there for a fantastic price - I really, really love them and they are of excellent quality - no pits or rings (not that I'm opposed to pits and rings, the larger pearls tend to have them and it's part of their character.)  They also have akoya and south seas pearls.  If you don't like them, you can return them so there's no risk.  Take them to any jeweler and they can confirm the quality.  Plus there are reviews on most of the items so you can make an informed purchase.  You seriously cannot beat the prices...



__________________
"Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess." ~ Edna Woolman Chase
fairywings


Dooney & Bourke

Status: Offline
Posts: 612
Date:
Permalink Closed

Thank you so much for the info ladies. I knew buying pearls was complicated but I wasn't sure what to look for. I will do my research and definitely check out Overstock first. Also, if anyone sees something online that fits what I'm looking for and is from a legit website, please post. Your advice is priceless again and again!

__________________

beautyloft.blogspot.com
trophywifeintrainingblog.blogspot.com
tara t


Marc Jacobs

Status: Offline
Posts: 2232
Date:
Permalink Closed

i have several mikimoto items that came with guides if you want me to mail you one...  PM me if you'd like.

i never really was a pearl fan.  but my hubby bought me a necklace, ring, and earrings for a wedding gift and now pearls are all i want. 


here is a mikimoto pearl guide...
http://www.mikimotoamerica.com/about_jewelry/index.html

__________________
I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day. -Frank Sinatra
D


Hermes

Status: Offline
Posts: 8209
Date:
Permalink Closed

tara t wrote:

i have several mikimoto items that came with guides if you want me to mail you one...  PM me if you'd like.

i never really was a pearl fan.  but my hubby bought me a necklace, ring, and earrings for a wedding gift and now pearls are all i want. 


here is a mikimoto pearl guide...
http://www.mikimotoamerica.com/about_jewelry/index.html


that's great info, tara t.  mikimoto pearls are by far the best pearls you can buy -- what a spectacular wedding gift!



__________________
"Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess." ~ Edna Woolman Chase
tara t


Marc Jacobs

Status: Offline
Posts: 2232
Date:
Permalink Closed

D wrote:

tara t wrote:

i have several mikimoto items that came with guides if you want me to mail you one...  PM me if you'd like.

i never really was a pearl fan.  but my hubby bought me a necklace, ring, and earrings for a wedding gift and now pearls are all i want. 


here is a mikimoto pearl guide...
http://www.mikimotoamerica.com/about_jewelry/index.html


that's great info, tara t.  mikimoto pearls are by far the best pearls you can buy -- what a spectacular wedding gift!


D...  i don't know if you remember this, but you had answered a question about pearls for me months ago...  i was going to hawaii and i had heard that tahitian pearls were possibly less expensive there.  well, i didn't find any that i really liked.  so i'm still searching... 

sooo, last month we were in vegas and went to the mikimoto store.  there was a tahitian pearl necklace that i was swooning over.  it was stunning.  hubby was trying to be slick and was thinking of buying it for me, so when i went to the store next door or the restroom or something, he asked the SA how much it was.  it was over 200,000.00.  needless to say, i didn't get the necklace.  i think he may get nervous when i get those little mikimoto booklets in the mail...   it's his fault, right?  haha.

__________________
I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day. -Frank Sinatra
D


Hermes

Status: Offline
Posts: 8209
Date:
Permalink Closed

tara t wrote:

D wrote:

tara t wrote:

i have several mikimoto items that came with guides if you want me to mail you one...  PM me if you'd like.

i never really was a pearl fan.  but my hubby bought me a necklace, ring, and earrings for a wedding gift and now pearls are all i want. 


here is a mikimoto pearl guide...
http://www.mikimotoamerica.com/about_jewelry/index.html


that's great info, tara t.  mikimoto pearls are by far the best pearls you can buy -- what a spectacular wedding gift!


D...  i don't know if you remember this, but you had answered a question about pearls for me months ago...  i was going to hawaii and i had heard that tahitian pearls were possibly less expensive there.  well, i didn't find any that i really liked.  so i'm still searching... 

sooo, last month we were in vegas and went to the mikimoto store.  there was a tahitian pearl necklace that i was swooning over.  it was stunning.  hubby was trying to be slick and was thinking of buying it for me, so when i went to the store next door or the restroom or something, he asked the SA how much it was.  it was over 200,000.00.  needless to say, i didn't get the necklace.  i think he may get nervous when i get those little mikimoto booklets in the mail...   it's his fault, right?  haha.
oh, I remember now!  you should totally check out overstock -- just put tahitian pearl in the search.  I bought some gorgeous 11mm studs for $170 there.  I thought they might be too old lady, but instead I'm in love - you don't see many people wearing them... there are a couple of strands I've had my eye on there as well -- the prices are the lowest I've seen anywhere.



__________________
"Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess." ~ Edna Woolman Chase
AllieGurl


Marc Jacobs

Status: Offline
Posts: 2030
Date:
Permalink Closed

I really love majorica pearls ....

__________________
xoxo gossip girl!
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
stylethread site home page -> stylethread forum -> shopping & fashion -> Pearls
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard