20mm x 13mm BEAUTY!! What is this pearl?

[kojimapearl]

Well, I am both a little embarrassed and pleased to read such a conversation about the "beauty" of Japan Kasumi pearls (or their Chinese counterparts, like the one posted) and as well the "average consumer". I meant no harm by that, only that I am so enamored with the unusual beauty that pearls can bring, that I often forget about the greater end of the market who prefer perfection.
It is true that Japan Kasumi pearls now owe much of their popularity, no matter the admirer's opinion, to their Lake Biwa predecessors. As with any cultured pearl though, it is the farmer (and the animals) who should take the praise for the the pearls exsistence. In this case much praise is due, considering the years spent trying to revive Lake Kasumi, and hybrid an animal to grow in it. In my time, I have seen very few pearls from Lake Biwa that compared with the rich colors we can find today in pearls from Lake Kasumi.
With my best wishes and thanks to Pattye for such a lovely review, I will now post a couple of photos, the first an natural abalone pearl from my collection, naturally shaped like California. The second a piece of Kamoka keshi from my recent trip to Ahe (photos of that coming soon). I have been working hard to get the kojimapearl website up and running, I hope you enjoy it soon! I will be sure to let you know when we are finished.
P.S. Anyone going to the show in Las Vegas at the end of May? If so, hope to see you there!
Pearly blessings, Sarah

 

[SpaceNeedle]

Hi Inge and All,


I do have a nice collection of Kasumi pearls, but speaking for myself only, would not say they are the "height of beauty in pearls"----just another lovely variation, for us who enjoy beauty in irregularity, unusual color. Their charm is very hard to understand from a photo.

Pattye - Any chance to post a few photos of your Kasumi collection?

 

[Heidi]

Sarah - Thanks for your reply while you slave to get that website up and running.

Pattye - Any chance to post a few photos of your Kasumi collection?

Ditto that request! My "collection" stands at 2, so more for the gazing is always a good thing. I am firmly over in that camp that really loves the color and texture of these pearls.

And SpaceNeedle, are those Kasumi earrings in your avatar?

 

[pattye]

Hi All,
Yes I admit I have neglected posting photos of my Kasumi, but will do some soon, after I finish a couple of home projects.

Sarah, love your new pearls! Somehow the map of CA "strikes me funny" --a very unique pearl to be sure! Since I was born in San Francisco, maybe I should buy it and have a sapphire, my birthstone set in there???? And there is everything to love about beautiful keishi, looks rather like a heart---we look forward to story and photo of this latest Ahe adventure!

Wish, wish, wish I could go to the Vegas show, but not this year! If anyone goes, we expect a full report!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

 

[Nerida]

Nerida,
how about telling us who the seller is? Does she have an Internet site so we could look at her pearls?

Sadly, no website. Her store is called Fusion and her name is Eagle.. she trades at Hongqiao Pearl City. She actually specialises in jewellery design for all you gem buffs - one-off designs of amazing beauty - stunning rings and bracelets just a few pieces that I drooled over. The pearls are just a tool for interesting jewellery design. OMG I'm remembering all her beautiful rings as I'm writing this and kicking myself that I didn't think to order something for myself!!

I did tell her about the forum, so maybe she is lurking out there somewhere - if so, let us know Eagle - you will have a ready-made fan club!

 

[Nerida]

As a bit of a PS to my post, Inge - Daxi, Rupeipei etc. all have websites, but they don't actually photograph the strands they are selling - more generic photos, and (saying this without prejudice) much of their styling is too "Asian" for western tastes. The value is in going there in person and hunting through their stock and negotiating. Maybe I should host a shopping trip to Shanghai for PGers?? LOL

 

[la_corsetiere]

With my best wishes and thanks to Pattye for such a lovely review, I will now post a couple of photos, the first an natural abalone pearl from my collection, naturally shaped like California. The second a piece of Kamoka keshi from my recent trip to Ahe (photos of that coming soon). I have been working hard to get the kojimapearl website up and running, I hope you enjoy it soon! I will be sure to let you know when we are finished.
P.S. Anyone going to the show in Las Vegas at the end of May? If so, hope to see you there!
Pearly blessings, Sarah

Oooooh, I LOVE that heart-shaped keshi pearl from Josh, Sarah! If you decide it needs a new owner in your nice neighber, PM me...I have a bit of a thing for weird hearts, but don't yet have a heart-shaped Tahitian in my collection...

Sheri

 

[Nerida]

Sarah, both those pearls are sensational! The weird heart and the Californian map! I love Pattye's thoughts about personalizing it with her SF birthplace!

 

[Nerida]

Wish, wish, wish I could go to the Vegas show, (Pattye).. wish wish wish I could visit Josh's farm!! Sheri, you have visited too, haven't you?

 

[la_corsetiere]

Wish, wish, wish I could go to the Vegas show, (Pattye).. wish wish wish I could visit Josh's farm!! Sheri, you have visited too, haven't you?

Haven't visited the farm yet, but hope to one of these days! I managed to catch up with Josh when he was in Papeete.

Sheri

 

[Nerida]

still sounds idyllic!

 

[jerin]

As a bit of a PS to my post, Inge - Daxi, Rupeipei etc. all have websites, but they don't actually photograph the strands they are selling - more generic photos, and (saying this without prejudice) much of their styling is too "Asian" for western tastes. The value is in going there in person and hunting through their stock and negotiating. Maybe I should host a shopping trip to Shanghai for PGers?? LOL

Hi Nerida
and thanks for answering so promptly. What a great idea to be host for those PG:ers who can come... my thoughts though go along these lines... If I add up what it would cost me to just get there I probably have no money left to shop any pearls so I go on dreaming and waiting for reports and photos....

 

[Nerida]

I know what you mean! Maybe I shouldn't travel, and instead have the lovely collections that some of our members have.. however, I am lucky enough to have a husband who travels extensively, and I'm often invited along - very nice, and often paid for, and also the air miles add up very quickly with his travel, so I get to use them too! Most Australians have a bit of a thing for travelling - consequences of being stuck all the way down here by ourselves..

 

[Raisondetre]

Off-topic, but it's more expensive to travel from the US to Asia than within Asia itself, or from Australia to China for that matter. My parents are based in Singapore, and as long as I'm not looking for gem freshwaters I find that the savings are well worth the travel expenses. I usually get promotional airfares plus 4-star hotels in China which averages less than US$100 a night for two people. I don't think you can quite beat the satisfaction of sifting through strands and strands of pearls for that elusive perfection, though most of it is junk. Buying wholesale (not just for pearls, I do my clothes, shoes and accessory shopping there as well) definitely helps. I won't be doing it too often, but there are advantages of living in or near Asia rather than the US sometimes.

 

[SpaceNeedle]

Sarah -
And SpaceNeedle, are those Kasumi earrings in your avatar?

Yup.. they are. I was not attracted to Kasumis at first but I was immediately hooked once I saw this pair of deep purple with amazing luster and colors. I now set my Sea of Cortez earrings aside and wear Kasumis more often. Now I need more of pink/purple clothing .

 

[CLICLASP]

A question to all experts out there... besides the origin, what are other differences between a kasumi pearl and a similar chinese FW to this one?

I wonder how to make the difference too.
I bought a kasumi strand fro a very reliable source and some said they saw same as Chinese kasumi

Can anyone here identify origin of this strand ?

Besides this question, any news of beads used for nucleation of Chinese kasumi ? giant Clam ?

Thanks for who knows

 

[SpaceNeedle]

Hello CLICLASP - Oh... lovely necklace!!! May I ask who the seller is?

 

[Pearlgully]

I wonder how to make the difference too.
I bought a kasumi strand fro a very reliable source and some said they saw same as Chinese kasumi

Can anyone here identify origin of this strand ?

Besides this question, any news of beads used for nucleation of Chinese kasumi ? giant Clam ?

Thanks for who knows

Probably a lab will be able to tell you the origin of your pearls.

I'm on a roll, today!!! While checking out some info on elephant pearls, I came across an article in the back issue of "Austrailian Gemologist" Oct. - Dec. 2006. The article addresses the differences between Japanese Kasumis and Chinese CFWP. Although they don't specify Chinese "bead nucleated". Try a google search and maybe you can order a copy of the article.

As far as the beads used for nucleating the Chinese ones, Fuji Voll told me in Tucson that the giant clam was not used. I wrote about my conversation with him somewhere on this forum back in February. I don't remember where the post is, though.

Gail

 

[CLICLASP]

As far as the beads used for nucleating the Chinese ones, Fuji Voll told me in Tucson that the giant clam was not used.
Gail

Thanks a lot,
So I feel better in wearing by bead nucleated ones as well !!
Here a pict.

If you ever think I am posting too much photos, this is to save me from bad english writting, and PG fellows from reading it !!
Some evenings I feel lazy ......

 

[Pearlgully]

Thanks a lot,
So I feel better in wearing by bead nucleated ones as well !!
Here a pict.

Hi Cliclasp,
When I responded "no" to your question regarding if the giant clam was used for nucleation, I was specifically referring to the Chinese "in body" nucleated pearls (i.e. Chinese Kasumi like pearls). As far as whether the giant clam is being used to nucleated the Ikecho / Fireballs..... well, there still is no conclusive answer yet, as far as I know.


Gail


Edit: FYI, read the thread "Freshwater Pearls Better than Akoya Pearls" post #18 (under the Freshwater Pearl forum). I spoke to F. Voll & E. Strack in Tucson.