Recent content by ennui

Judith Ripka had two jewelry lines -- the upscale, diamonds and platinum items for celebrities, which is where she gained fame, and the sterling, CZ lines sold on TV shopping networks. Even though Judith retired, her jewelry line continues on JTV. So, check your hallmarks, I guess?

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My initial thought is that these are synthetic pearls. The swirls are suspicious.

My thoughts exactly. I like the bean clasps for ease of use and they seem secure.

I have several abalone shells, too. I think you can cut out the blister and make jewelry but then you've ruined the shell. Along the West Coast, abalone have been hit particularly hard by overfishing, the decline of the kelp forest, warming ocean temperatures and other impacts. Treasure your...

My thought is that there are plenty of international markets for pearls, so the farmers should be okay. It's the lowly US buyers who may whine a bit. It may be like the tariffs on cars. The tariff on a complete car is higher than the tariffs on parts.

I like it too!

Will the tariffs and trade war affect pearl prices? Discuss. ;)

jeg posted a photo of her Tahitian keshi necklace and earrings in "Show Us Your Pearls", post #21,150, if you'd like to see other examples.

I'd bet money the white strand with turquoise and apatite nuggets is Honora and was sold on QVC. So, freshwater. The black pearls are freshwater, too. And the pink. You learn by looking at a lot of pearls. Tahitian pearls look ... oily. I once saw a single white South Sea pendant that was...

Regarding treatment, I don't know if Tahitian keshi are measured by French Polynesia the way bead-nucleated Tahitians are controlled. We need one of our experts to weigh in on that. My opinion -- since you are already in the $850 budget range, you may want to consider a Tahitian baroque strand...

I think the keshi necklace is more expensive because the pearls are larger and the item is finished. If you buy the smaller strands, you will need to have them strung and add a clasp -- if I understand what you're asking. They mostly look like keshi Tahitian to me, but I wonder if there are a...

If you're trying to source more similar pearls, I think that shape is called rondel.

My hunch is that the metal mark may have been on the clutch. It's a tough call; these could be low end Tahitians, or perhaps dyed freshwaters. Either way, they're a fun find.

I like pink and brown together, myself. I have an inexpensive freshwater keshi necklace that's a mix of muted rose and chocolate (yes, dyed) and I always got compliments.