"12mm and up" pearls ... where are you hiding now?

[GemGeek]

Crystalfly: Those are big pearls!

Try wrapping the pearl with plastic wrap to keep it from scratching while you work the wire on it. After you're done, it can be pulled out in pieces.

 

[crystalfly]

Thanks!

Thanks!

Thanks for the advice on wrapping in plastic... excellent!!

 

[jshepherd]

1) Did I get a good deal on both items?

Yes you did! The single pearl was an exceptionally good deal. The price of large Tahitians has gone up so much in the last couple of years, it would be very difficult to get that sort of deal again.

 

[crystalfly]

Yes you did! The single pearl was an exceptionally good deal. The price of large Tahitians has gone up so much in the last couple of years, it would be very difficult to get that sort of deal again.

Good to hear!! I feel so much better justifying my purchases to my husband now!!

On a similar note, I was watching one of the jewelry networks and have purchased the following two items (thankfully there is a no questions asked return policy!) and wanted to get your thoughts on their value:

1) Black Tahitian pearl necklace 10-12mm (18 inches) with white gold clasp - $1500 (they said AAA over the phone)

2) Black Tahitian pearl necklace 11-14mm (18 inches) with white gold clasp - $3300 (AAA grade)

I've asked for an appraisal for both items. I figured from the postings over the last few days, large tahitians are becoming rare and I've always wanted a nice tahitian pearl necklace. So i'm trying to decide between the two. I consider these an investment.

Looking forward to everyone's thoughts. Thanks!!

V

 

[aggiep]

Good to hear!! I feel so much better justifying my purchases to my husband now!!

On a similar note, I was watching one of the jewelry networks and have purchased the following two items (thankfully there is a no questions asked return policy!) and wanted to get your thoughts on their value:

1) Black Tahitian pearl necklace 10-12mm (18 inches) with white gold clasp - $1500 (they said AAA over the phone)

2) Black Tahitian pearl necklace 11-14mm (18 inches) with white gold clasp - $3300 (AAA grade)

I've asked for an appraisal for both items. I figured from the postings over the last few days, large tahitians are becoming rare and I've always wanted a nice tahitian pearl necklace. So i'm trying to decide between the two. I consider these an investment.

Looking forward to everyone's thoughts. Thanks!!

V

Glad I'm not the only one who feels this way about jewelry shopping networks.

https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/tahitian-pearls/2699-jewelry-channel.html

 

[pattye]

Interesting, hope you will be pleased with your purchases. I am not clear who you asked for the appraisal.

Not sure how you feel about the jewelry shopping networks, Aggie?

Glad I'm not the only one who feels this way about jewelry shopping networks

.

 

[aggiep]

The link below what I said was not positive about the jewelry networks. It is from a thread here on PB. I bought a watch that was supposedly silver and freshwater pearls. When I got it, it was plated plastic with really cheap pearls. I was very underwhelmed. A freind of mine the same time bought a ring. When she got it, she brought it to me. I tested it and it was billed as 18K but I found the readings to come out at 15K. The stone was supposed to be a Tourmaline and it was actually quartz (a green quartz) Both of us ended up sending the items back. It took nearly three months and many emails and calls, followed by my sending a certified letter to get the money back. Nope I was seriously disappointed in the extremely poor and misleading quality of that jewelry shopping network.

 

[pattye]

Sorry, Aggie, I missed seeing the link----------thanks much for clarifying that-

 

[PerfectPearls]

I'm afraid I would have to agree that I wouldn't buy anything expensive from a Jewelry Network. I'd have to buy pearls from a very reputable source. Plus I'd want to choose the color of the Tahitian pearls and the overtone. They can vary sooo much in quality and color!

Example: http://www.pearlparadise.com/tahitianpearls.html

 

[jshepherd]

On a similar note, I was watching one of the jewelry networks and have purchased the following two items (thankfully there is a no questions asked return policy!) and wanted to get your thoughts on their value:

1) Black Tahitian pearl necklace 10-12mm (18 inches) with white gold clasp - $1500 (they said AAA over the phone)

2) Black Tahitian pearl necklace 11-14mm (18 inches) with white gold clasp - $3300 (AAA grade)

They are supposedly AAA grade??? What is the shape like? If they are claiming the strands are AAA-grade rounds I would prep a return label before they even arrive. It would cost a lot more than that to make either one of them. At those prices I would be shopping there

Which jewelry network?

 

[CortezPearls]

Really? Who is using Bironite in Australia?

I don't know who is buying bironite...but last time I spoke with some Aussie farmers (2002) they were excited about it since they could get large sized nuclei without the fear of fractures and in the supply they needed. They should have been able to compare pearls by now. Also, a good chunk of information appeared in "Pearl World"...can't remember the year nor issue number.

"Research & Development work to find a replacementfor Mississippi mussel shell for use as the pearl nuclei in the cultured pearl industry has been completed. Field trials ?conclusively show the Bironite? nuclei is an acceptable alternative?. Mississippi mussel shell is becoming more expensive, while the Bironite nuclei is cheaper and can be cut to the larger sizes required by the South Sea pearl farms. The company reports encouraging preliminary interest from pearl farms in Australia, Indonesia and Tahiti, and a marketing program has been started" (from http://www.stockmarket.co.nz/backissues/ma327.pdf)

 

[Mikeyy]

I don't know who is buying bironite...but last time I spoke with some Aussie farmers (2002) they were excited about it since they could get large sized nuclei without the fear of fractures and in the supply they needed. They should have been able to compare pearls by now. Also, a good chunk of information appeared in "Pearl World"...can't remember the year nor issue number.

"Research & Development work to find a replacementfor Mississippi mussel shell for use as the pearl nuclei in the cultured pearl industry has been completed. Field trials ?conclusively show the Bironite? nuclei is an acceptable alternative?. Mississippi mussel shell is becoming more expensive, while the Bironite nuclei is cheaper and can be cut to the larger sizes required by the South Sea pearl farms. The company reports encouraging preliminary interest from pearl farms in Australia, Indonesia and Tahiti, and a marketing program has been started" (from http://www.stockmarket.co.nz/backissues/ma327.pdf)

I would be interested if Mr. Snow has actually sold any of his product to farmers in Australia. I am skeptical.

 

[jshepherd]

That Pearl World article was published around four years ago. I haven't heard anything about bironite since.

 

[CortezPearls]

Douglas,
Good to hear from you again.
Bironite isn't smooth enough for me. Maybe they have made progress on it since I've used it (it's been years now) but it's also pretty expensive compared to prices of US White or even Pinctada MOP, both of which have come down a lot in recent years.

Thanks Josh, I do remember you mentioned using Pinctada mother of pearl beads with very good results. We used P. maxima beads in 1994-95 for our experimental stage with very good results.
I agree 100% with you on the nuclei's surface: a perfectly clean & polished bead will yield better results.
We've never used bironite, but the nuclei I handled felt "good" (good weight and it did whitstand a "bouncing on the floor"), but found its color and exterior "disturbing"...

 

[Mikeyy]

Thanks Josh, I do remember you mentioned using Pinctada mother of pearl beads with very good results. We used P. maxima beads in 1994-95 for our experimental stage with very good results.
I agree 100% with you on the nuclei's surface: a perfectly clean & polished bead will yield better results.
We've never used bironite, but the nuclei I handled felt "good" (good weight and it did whitstand a "bouncing on the floor"), but found its color and exterior "disturbing"...

I know an alternative that is better if that is where yo want to go. Dolomite is calcium carbonate. All the factors are good. The color is white and it polishes much better then Baronite. And its natural. Its not my thing but I personally think its miles above the synthetic product.

 

[CortezPearls]

That Pearl World article was published around four years ago. I haven't heard anything about bironite since.

My guess would be:

1) That the so called "Mussel Crysis" was not that big a threat.
2) That there are other mussel shell producers (China).
3) That bironite was not as good as it was claimed to be (or even more expensive).
4) There are other sources of shell for the beads: mainly Black & White/Gold Lipped MOPs.

But I would really like to know what happened to Bironite...

 

[Mikeyy]

My guess would be:

1) That the so called "Mussel Crysis" was not that big a threat.
2) That there are other mussel shell producers (China).
3) That bironite was not as good as it was claimed to be (or even more expensive).
4) There are other sources of shell for the beads: mainly Black & White/Gold Lipped MOPs.

But I would really like to know what happened to Bironite...

You can get the info from Pearling Technologies. Or contact George Snow at Atlas Pacific in Perth.

 

[CortezPearls]

I know an alternative that is better if that is where yo want to go. Dolomite is calcium carbonate. All the factors are good. The color is white and it polishes much better then Baronite. And its natural. Its not my thing but I personally think its miles above the synthetic product.

Dolomite...sounds good. What would be your take on Aragonite? Never worked with it, besides just handling those nice crystals.
I guess I can make some Dolomite and Aragonite nucleus and try them out...just for fun!!! A simple experiment: 1 batch of MOPs with normal Missisippi beads, another one with Dolomite and a final group with Aragonite beads. Same technician, same day, same growth group, etc...harvest and compare.

 

[Mikeyy]

Dolomite...sounds good. What would be your take on Aragonite? Never worked with it, besides just handling those nice crystals.
I guess I can make some Dolomite and Aragonite nucleus and try them out...just for fun!!! A simple experiment: 1 batch of MOPs with normal Missisippi beads, another one with Dolomite and a final group with Aragonite beads. Same technician, same day, same growth group, etc...harvest and compare.

Be carefull where you get the dolomite. Some Dolomite has a high lead count. Obviously not good. But I don't think you will have too much trouble. The whiter the cleaner. I saw some for sale on Ebay a month or ago I have some somewhere. But only a few. Very nice stuff.

 

[CortezPearls]

Ok...found this info:
Why does Bironite not have as high a polish as mussel shell?
Mussel shell will take a high polish, as it is a very fine-grained material although it can have several types of physical defects. Bironite is composed of crystals about 1 mm across and it will sometimes have very fine pits near these junctions. We are still developing techniques to reduce this, but we believe that this is not important for pearl development provided that these fine pits are not sources of infection.
(Source: http://www.spc.int/coastfish/News/POIB/13/POIB13-6.htm)

And -just as Josh said- therein lies the problem: the pits, it is not good enough for high quality pearl production. What a pitty.
Guess this answers the "whatever happened to Bironite?" question...