Hi All,
I hope you don't mind me jumping in here about the Kasumis. I have a fair number from Carolyn Ehret, DruzyDesign, and a lesser number from Jennifer Dow at wats2luv. I absolutely would not say I prefer them over the untreated cfwp.
They are priced more like Tahitians and SS pearls, as individual pearls, in that sense, because of their rarity. Still, as Boo says, that is not a huge price for a pair of earrings, by the way, nicely done, Boo!
Recently asked Care about nacre thickness on the Kasumis. She sez the most successful size for nuclei is 8.1mm. That means if the pearl is in the 10-11mm range, there is approximately 1mm+ of nacre all around.
The issue for me generally with bead nucleated pearls, is that it is only possible to estimate nacre thickness from the lustre of the pearl, and with akoya (except for Jeremy's) it can be very thin. So given that thickness of nacre, most likely there is good wearability. Just as there would be in high quality SS and Tahitians.
The color range of Kasumi pearls and the colors and iridescence on a single high quality pearl is pretty amazing, the best photo cannot, in my mind, truly capture it all. Some are very wrinkly, others are smoother.
I guess I would consider myself a collector, I buy what I like, want at least one of everything!!!!no, make that 2 or 3, and at my age (66) have stopped worrying much about what is gonna "look good" on me!!! Just want it long enough to fit!!! Have to admit I don't really consider my Pearly Treasures an "investment." Of course I will take good care that someday, a very very very long time from now, my dtrs-in-law and 2 granddaughters will enjoy my collection.
It is so wonderful to be able to have all the fabulous freshwaters, and to be able to take advantage of such great values, now Jeremy, can't you do something to help rescue the hyriopsis schlegelii???
IMO,
Pattye
so many pearls, so little time