STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

tara t · Marc Jacobs

does anyone know alot about pearls?

Hermes

To my knowledge, pearls are widely available in Hawaii. When I was in Tahiti, where the black pearl (a.k.a. Tahitian pearls) industry is based, they were widely available but super expensive. I got lucky and found a pearl wholesaler and got some good deals.

Places like Hawaii and Tahiti take advantage of the tourist trade and desire of tourists to buy pearls while they are there. In my experience, I have found much better deals on ebay and vintage jewelry dealers locally. As a matter of fact, I bought a 12mm 14k ring on Friday for $175 from an estate/antique jewelry dealer that I have an established relationship with. The ring you have pictured would probably run $1000-$2000 in Hawaii.

I know it's nice to buy something like that as a souvenir while you're there, but they really take advantage of that and jack up the price.

If you are dead set in buying black pearls in Hawaii, spend some time educating yourself on black pearl grading. Color can range from light grey to green, turquoise, aubergine, peacock, and black. Peacock is generally the most desirable color as it's a combination of green and aubergine. Pits and rings in the nacre are common and effect the value. A lot of pits/rings = decreased value. Symmetry of the pearl and size also affect value. Beware of fake black pearls, as dying and irradiation are common techniques used to create the look of a black pearl. Black pearls are usually 8mm+ and is a good way to tell a fake if it's smaller than that.

Let me do some quick research and I'll come back and post. HTH so far...

Hermes

here is a good source for educating yourself on black pearls:

here's one on ebay for BIN $430 - not identical, but similar in pearl size and diamond weight as the one you posted:

tara t · Marc Jacobs

wow D. Thanks alot ! i'm not really "set" on buying one in hawaii, but i thought if they had a better selection and were a bit less expensive, i'd wait. i'm going to do my research, and also check out the ones on ebay !

butthead got me a pearl necklace, earrings, and a pretty ring for my wedding gift. i think he made a big mistake a created a monster !!

if you don't mind if i find anything online, i may ask for your opinion ! thanks again!

the ones butthead got me are from mikimoto, and the black pearls from there are terribly expensive.

-- Edited by tara t at 16:52, 2006-12-31

conet · BCBG

I bought a couple of strands of peacock pearls in Maui for about $50, and made a triple strand bracelet, a necklace and little earrings - I only had a couple of pearls left.
The vendor was trying to sell me the "real" tahitan pearls, which cost in the thousands, wholesale. My strands were about 6 mm, with an oval shape. The "good" pearls are gorgeous and lustrous, about 10-12 mm, perfect globes. There are many jewelry shops, so there's lots of choice. I was in Maui, near Lahaina, and the wholesale jeweler that I bought the strands from was just off the main highway with a sign that said "wholesale pearls outlet." I agree, the best deals are on ebay, but it's so fun to get something on holiday. Don't forget the ABC store, they always have inexpensive pearl jewelry and sterling jewelry too. ABC stores are on all the islands and in Las Vegas too.
Have fun !!!!