I can't wait!!

[Valeria101]

... Now, personally I don't agree with comparing Akoyas with ball-bearings or calling them PPB's.

Fair enough. No doubt what PPB wants to say, what to do with the superficial shine on them pearls? The result of vapor deposition looks like nothing in nature and 'mirror' is a term for something looking rather different on pearls. 'Ball bearings' were meant to be a good thing, if it doesn't sound that way, I am ready to change, but with what... 'Metallic lustre'? (thinking of Victorian strands of polished precious metal beads - beautiful!). I'm out of pearl words.

Would really love to see some natural (or at least not nucleated) akoya for reference. I know fairly well what bleaching, polishing and reflective coating does to pearls each in turn. 'Know that akoya affected by pollution, rushed harvest etc. are not that gorgeous and need help - it even made sense as long as no other decent pearls were around (=pre freshwater invasion). But do the treated pearls look anything like the real deal? Never seen anything like them, but again, 'haven't seen the original akoya either. Thoughts?


There are few (if any) precious stone enhancements that produce 'unnatural' results on purpose. Whatever is done to pearls seems quite the exception to that rule... if I am right. Chances are I am not... without disclosure of treatment for pearls it is quite difficult to know what on Earth you are seeing in them Pretty disheartening that.

 

[jshepherd]

Yes, ball-bearing is definitely meant to be a good thing. If it were not for the metallic sheen of Akoya, they would have likely fallen out of favor as soon as Chinese CFWP came even near round. Akoya can definitely be beautiful, and to many the aethetic value of the metallic sheen is better than any orient.
If I did not believe in Akoya I would not have invested in my own Akoya pearl farm - which I did last year, as many of you know. We are going to debut out first harvest in Hong Kong soon.
The term PPB came from Madame Z... true in a sense, but I believe the gem deserves more respect than that.

 

[Caitlin]

Originally Posted by salem
... Now, personally I don't agree with comparing Akoyas with ball-bearings or calling them PPB's.

Doncha you know that them’s fightin’ words on this here forum?

I agree with V-ana, that “ball bearing” is not an insult but an attempt to put the singular shine of the akoya, as it is sold today, into words. Their luster, at its best, is brilliant, hard edged, and metallic.

And, even though PPB has been used (and taken) as an insult to akoya pearls, it is also an attempt to describe modern akoya cultured pearls accurately. They are in fact, the cultured pearl with the thinnest of coatings and the most artificial enhancements and skin-protectors added post-growing time. They also have the shortest growing time in the mollusk of all PPB’s, prompting me to refer to them as, “MOP beads being dipped into the oyster for short periods of time”. These pearls of all cultured pearls MUST be bought from a reputable dealer.

Remember, I own a copy of Strack's fine textbook called "Pearls" and read it. And a number of other folks on this forum have read it also. After reading Strack, you are no longer an ignorant customer. Also, I went to her lecture about artificial enhancements and coloring of pearls at the gem show. Just because the treatments and processing are as secretive as possible, does not mean they do not happen. …..


There is no attempt to protect the ignorance of the consumer here on this forum, so be prepared for the truth.

BTW, I just heard a rumor at the Gem show that akoyas have to be kept in distilled water after being harvested and before being processed or they will dry out and crack!!! Then, after processing-you do not want to get them wet, ever again, as water will now have a negative impact on the nacre. Any comments on that you genuine, good quality, PPB experts?

 

[Caitlin]

Hi Jeremy
Your post went up while I was composing mine. I am glad to hear about your upcoming akoya harvest. I am sure the quality will be as stated, and not one whit less. I think your nacre will be up to, if not exceeding standards for thickness.

I recognize that for many people, akoyas are the only pearl -as witnessed by the sales numbers, which are holding steady and even growing- but popularity doesn't preclude getting educated about akoya pearls, their inate delicacy, and how to care for them to get the longest use.

In spite of the ZESPA'S introduction of the term, PPB. I think use of the term is having little effect on people's opinions: it just educates them and maybe they won't go for the cheapo akoyas on eBay, but will understand why they need to spend a little more and get the best possible quality akoya from a reputable dealer.

 

[Valeria101]

Hm... glad to hear PPB has a bit of a niche left, Caitlin It might be a bit too radical to 'catch', but would miss the pearl-plated-beads concept if no one ever mentioned them again.

When I first found the forum and the term, I thought it was about the artificial coating process used to make shell pearls Silly, no? It took reading a couple of posts to realize that it was a mollusk doing the 'plating' still.


The news of a controlled Akoya batch are news to me. Anything done differently than for the current 'Hanadama' stock? (haven't searched through old posts yet).

 

[Caitlin]

Sorry to post 3 in a row, but I wanted to comment on the pictures above.


Pic #1` shows one dimple on all the beads in the picture. The skins on the rest are excellent, unless there is something hidden on the bottom of a pearl, the strand looks way above a 95% blemish free standard.

Honestly, if a blemish here or there or a dull spot makes you not like the pearls, then I would recommend some high quality faux pearls. They never have off shapes, dull spots or dimples. In fact, on an incredible number of pearl sites, including this one, there are instructions on how to tell faux pearls from real pearls. The reason is so many people think faux pearls are real and ask for a way to tell the difference.

To describe faux pearls:
Faux pearls have fantastic luster on 100% of every part of all the surfaces- NO dull spots ever, anywhere.
They have perfect skins, never a blemish or dimple anywhere.
They are absolutely, perfectly round. Never anything but 8 way rollers on a good faux strand.
There is never a deviation in size in a matched for size strand. Nor is there a deviation in the rhythm of size increase in a graduated strand.
Not one faux pearl ever has a hint of a ring anywhere on it, not even around the drill hole.
Faux pearls never have differences in color from pearl to pearl, no matter how slight. If you take a photo, they will all photograph the same.
Faux pearls never have the slightest of color discolorations anywhere under the surface.
You can?t look into or through the surface layers of any part of any faux pearl, ever.

If you look at a string of pearls that exhibits all above traits, they are either faux or they are worth more than most people can pay.


Under magnification, Faux pearls usually have a plastic or glass bead visible at the hole?s edge. Also under magnification, the edges of the hole may show slight separations from the bead or even chips missing.


The ultimate test for the usual faux pearl is the ?tooth test. Rub a pearl surface on the edge of a tooth. Faux will be smooth, ?real? nacre will be slightly gritty with tiny grits.



This above list does not apply 100% to a lot of shell pearls and high grad faux pearls made from compounds. Some even pass the tooth test.

Most faux pearls except brand name ones such as Majorca don?t have any iridescence. The iridescence on Majorcas, is equally distributed everywhere on the surface, from all angles.

In general, Majorcas cost way more than any other faux pearls, even rivaling all but the best cultured pearls, if they have the clasp certificate and box.

 

[Valeria101]

If you look at a string of pearls that exhibits all above traits, they are either faux or they are worth more than most people can pay.

For some reason never thought of fake pearls as 'good' fakes (a fan of Ramaura, Gilson and AOTC speaking)... 'Seen the better ones, and still - there's something wrong with how matched they are - 'perfect' ruby and emeralds and opals are way more credible. 'Baroque fake pearls - nevermind, they're strange

For no there isn't much reason to 'fake' freshwater pearls (too cheap), but the good, untreated (i.e. coated or colored) ones would really not match the current types of fakes, would they? Hope I'm not the only one with that impression (and hope things stay that way too - 'nough confusing synthetics around).

 

[Pearlgully]

I believe that pearls are like beautiful women..........beautiful women
have birthmarks and so do pearls!


Gail
Pearl Girl, LLC
New York

 

[salem]

Err..I feel I have mistread? I didn't mean to imply that anyone was insulting Akoyas. I just *personally* wouldn't use the word ball-bearings because I don't find ball-bearings to be particularly attractive...shine or no-shine. So Jeremy, Caitlin, Valeria, I am very sorry if I caused offense. Didn't mean to, just wanted to express my own opinion of the word. Now PPB, I have read enough posts to know "them's fightin' words". But I didn't mean them to be...should have known better to refrain I guess.

let me give an example, one night at karaoke(yes, it is fun in Japan...You can get private rooms), a friend of mine told me in all sincerity" Jennifer, did anyone ever tell you you look like a dog?" Several other friends being surprised quickly spit out their drinks laughing so hard. Now, Shuji, my friend meant it as a compliment. He meant to say I have a small, cute face. (Small faces are very attractive to Japanese) Even though I KNOW and KNEW he meant it as a compliment, I couldn't help feeling a bit slighted. LOL, After all, being called a dog in America is hardly favorable.

BTW, totally agree with Pearlgully, the flaws make a more beautiful and interesting pearl.

 

[jshepherd]

Ahh, karaoke-box! Natsukashii desu ne!

I completely understand what you mean. I was often admired for having a larger than local average nose while there.

 

[Caitlin]

Hi Salem
In no way did you cause offense to me - that "fightin' words" phrase was a joke and my response was an opportunity, taken to edify the uninformed--should there still be such a being lurking on this forum anymore!

By the same token, my lecture on the perfections of faux pearls and the imperfections of cultured pearls was meant to teach as well. If they look 100%perfect, they are probably faux. Look for the imperfections such as demonstrated in above photos, for the signs of a pearl that once lived in a mollusk.

 

[salem]

Hi Caitlin,


I guess it was more the three responses in a row that made me feel like I had done something wrong. Just wanted to clear things up if I had. This whole thing is a wonderful process to me and I enjoy hearing everyones point of view.

But I did know the fightin words was a joke. Tried to be lighthearted in return, but I see now what I thought I typed isn't what I did type. *sigh* I am pretty pathetic at e-communication. I think I have a fear of offending from living in Japan so long(seven years in about 10 days ack!). I have a sarcastic sense of humor that got me into trouble many times here. Hope I gave you a good laugh about the dog thing. It wouldn't have been so bad if Shuji had just said it me, but to add insult to injury, when my friend Scott spit out his drink, it landed on me.

Jeremy, YES, the big nose thing. They love our faces for having depth. I have also had people cup their hands to the back of my head. Not my face, my head. They want to feel the curve of my skull. LOL I guess many Japanese people have rather flat head in the back and find Western head curves fascinating.

 

[perlas]

I have also had people cup their hands to the back of my head. Not my face, my head. They want to feel the curve of my skull. LOL I guess many Japanese people have rather flat head in the back and find Western head curves fascinating.

Careful Salem! There might be somebody in the forum with Japanese blood and who happens to have a flat head in the back!!!!!

Ok, ok. I was just kidding about being mad but not about the flat head. LOL. You don't need a pillow to feel comfortable, y'know.:

My head's flat, my b**bs' flat, my b*tt's flat, my nose's flat, my hair's flat.... that's why i love pearls soooo much... they're sooo round. LOL.

I think I have a fear of offending from living in Japan so long(seven years in about 10 days ack!). I have a sarcastic sense of humor that got me into trouble many times here.

Same here! I always get in trouble by having a sarcastic humor... and for being "too straight to the point".

------------------

anyways... kongetsu tokyo e ikimasu.
any suggestions if there's a shinju-ya in tokyo? i'm wayyy too cheap for mikimoto (ok, maybe at most i'd buy a teensy-weensy stud earrings for omiyage so I could be nosy in the shop). never really shopped for pearls in japan.

 

[salem]

Ummm...my husband IS Japanese. So i hope nobody would think I have a bias against them. I know you were kidding. But you had me going there for a minute.


Gotta run to class.
Jen

PS Interesting reason for liking pearls. heehee

 

[salem]

Pearls, pearls ,pearls....


Mikimoto, blech, wouldn't even bother with the earrings. The only thing I liked about Mikimoto was their museum on Pearl Island, near Ise-shima. I HATE upscale jewelery store because I hate the high pressure sales tactics of following the customer around the store.

But Mikimoto is FAR from your only option. There are lots of jewelry stores in Tokyo, especially in the Ginza district. Also, all the big department stores will sell pearls. Most of the major ones are in Shinjuku. I still think you should try Kobe though. Seems more pearl oriented. And Tokyo, Nagoya and kobe are all on the same Shinkansen(bullet train) line. No transfers. Of course, you still have to navigate the city, but all three are very foreign friendly.

 

[perlas]

Hi Salem,

Was actually just kidding. I'm not that *flat*, just thought it was funny... I can go to Ginza using the Marunouchi line.

Ok, I'll skip Mikimoto. I agree with the sales persons following around.

I'd love to go to Kobe but might be spending my whole time at the Shinkansen as I'm spending a night in Nagoya. It's sakura season!

Everybody's advising me to go to Iseshima!

Thanks for the tips!

 

[Caitlin]

My head's flat, my b**bs' flat, my b*tt's flat, my nose's flat, my hair's flat.... that's why i love pearls soooo much... they're sooo round. LOL

Very funnySam! And with an American compliment, I can't resist adding, I bet you are as cute as a button! (That is very flattering in English.)

I hope you all keep reporting on your pearl adventures! I love to read about them.

 

[sweetfrock]

Hi everyone,

Wow I am surprised to find this thread still alive! Very interesting comments in it, and I think it's lovely when someone compliments saying you're as cute as a button! I've never heard that being said in Singapore.

Okay okay, back to why I'm here... I saw a pair of SS pearl earrings approx 9.5-9.6 mm going for approx US$1,200 here... the owner said it was the last pair available in the store that was this price. Due to a sudden increase in demand over the past year and insufficient supply, her new shipment of looseSS pearls are approx US$1,200 EACH now.

I thought the size was perfect. But I didn't like the lustre and water of the SS... in fact I felt that they were lacking in water. Lustre-wise they were not very shiny. Can someone tell me, are most SS pearls like that? I thought they looked like PPBs.

May I get your opinion... whether to get a 9.0-10.0mm South Sea pair of ear studs or Freshadamas? I will be buying them online as the ones I saw didn't tempt me enough.

Bitten by the upsize bug,
Carol

 

[sweetfrock]

My head's flat, my b**bs' flat, my b*tt's flat, my nose's flat, my hair's flat.... that's why i love pearls soooo much... they're sooo round. LOL.

I envy you... you're proportionate!

My boobs are flat, my butt sticks out, so my boobs look even flatter.

My head is round, so it makes my flat nose even flatter.

And I have typically flat asian hair.

Sistas!!

 

[Valeria101]

For laughing out loud, ladies!!! Isn't that confidential information?

Can't know what the SS pearls you have seen were like, but the description reminds me of unpleasant examples with thin skin... They are very round (after all, not much was added over the perfectly round nucleus to distort the shape!) but lack just about every other positive attribute. Such pearls made me weary of any that too round to be true, so to speak Better get some nacre there, even if that means a little bosse or two!

Don't think that all SS pearls are 'dull', only that finding relevant examples of the contrary is getting harder and harder. And all that more rewarding if you insist.

As for the claim that increased demand has driven prices up - well, it is a seller's justification of 'buy now' and higher prices. No particular reason to believe it. You may find accounts of increased demand for South Sea pearls from more believable sources, also associated with the acknowledgement that pearls of lower quality are produced as an answer... Which isn't saying that by default, all of those sold at higher prices are going to be great pearls. Same old, same old...

Price? Not sure what to say: LINK, LINK... I like to believe that somewhere a pair of 10mm-ish pearls would be times nicer than those already endearing ones, but somehow, rewriting the price label is that much easier than providing better pearls, so I am inclined to believe that the easy way is what happens most often too...