Big Honking Pearls

And finally here are mine. They only arrived earlier this week no thanks to a shipping delay AND the Memorial Day long weekend which added another week to shipping.

It's been a while but if you recall I'd ordered two strands, a metallic one with baroque shapes and another rounder non metallic strand. The outer strand in all pics below is my Wssp strand unless otherwise stated. All three strands are about the same size (and really not very giant looking on me)...

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Forgot to take a single of the WSSP strand so took another series below.
In the bottom left pic, WSSP is in the middle.
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Wssp is the upper right corner
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Between these 3 strands, my ssp will still be my 'regular' strand cos it looks better. But then these fwp cost a fraction of a Wssp strand so I didn't expect them to be the same of course. Between the metallic n non-metallic strand, I prefer the latter for it's more regular shapes n smoother skins. The metallic strand also has a few wonky drill holes which means huge knots. It's a shame cos the metallic strand is more silvery and I typically prefer silvery strands.

And yes, as of this point I absolutely would still buy a ssp strand. In person, the Wssp stands out cos it glows you know?
 
Thanks for your observations IcyJade. If you don't compare them side by side, individually the giant FP strands are still pretty on your neck.
 
I am finding that I love sharp luster, smooth skin pearls over size...Your SSP strand is beautiful. The other strands are lovely, but I think they wouldn't get much wear. Nothing at all wrong with them, and they too are lovely. On the wonky drill holes, I find that baroque shaped pearls are difficult to drill. You have to be exact on your drill points, and even then not all pearls are exactly symmetrical.
 
While all three strands are lovely, even without knowing which was the SSP strand, my eyes went straight to the SSP strands.

My feeling is that the freshies are nice if you can't afford a SSP strand, but if you already have a SSP strand, I don't think the freshies would get worn because the SSP look so much better.
 
While all three strands are lovely, even without knowing which was the SSP strand, my eyes went straight to the SSP strands.

My feeling is that the freshies are nice if you can't afford a SSP strand, but if you already have a SSP strand, I don't think the freshies would get worn because the SSP look so much better.

That's exactly what I am finding. When I only had freshwater strands, I wore them all the time. Since buying my WSS strand, I find my freshwater pearls (even the metallic ones) look a bit flat in comparison. It's not just that they are creamier in body colour, it's something about the way the light interacts with them too. My Akoya pearls also make my freshwater pearls look a bit flat. So I've been reaching for them less and less every time I have an outfit that calls for white pearls.

But I think everyone's Wilma necklaces are fantastic! I do like the rounder one better on you Icy. But I'm a sucker for symmetry. I've admired that about most of the strands though...for their size and shape, they were all beautifully matched.
 
beautiful strands, Icyjade!
Thanks for your observations IcyJade. If you don't compare them side by side, individually the giant FP strands are still pretty on your neck.

Thank you! I think they are all just white pearls to the average person in the street, haha. My colleagues must be wondering what's with the uniform of white pearls all week.


I am finding that I love sharp luster, smooth skin pearls over size...Your SSP strand is beautiful. The other strands are lovely, but I think they wouldn't get much wear. Nothing at all wrong with them, and they too are lovely. On the wonky drill holes, I find that baroque shaped pearls are difficult to drill. You have to be exact on your drill points, and even then not all pearls are exactly symmetrical.

And thanks for explaining the wonky drill holes... I was wondering why and honestly feel quite annoyed by the sight of them (and the accompanying giant knots). Quite an eyesore.


While all three strands are lovely, even without knowing which was the SSP strand, my eyes went straight to the SSP strands.

My feeling is that the freshies are nice if you can't afford a SSP strand, but if you already have a SSP strand, I don't think the freshies would get worn because the SSP look so much better.

I bought these fwp to wear when I'm travelling for work since I'm not comfy travelling with the ssp. For that purpose, I think the non metallic strand will serve me well. And I do appreciate my ssp so much more now. I didn't appreciate the glowing part until I tried them on with the freshies.


That's exactly what I am finding. When I only had freshwater strands, I wore them all the time. Since buying my WSS strand, I find my freshwater pearls (even the metallic ones) look a bit flat in comparison. It's not just that they are creamier in body colour, it's something about the way the light interacts with them too. My Akoya pearls also make my freshwater pearls look a bit flat. So I've been reaching for them less and less every time I have an outfit that calls for white pearls.

But I think everyone's Wilma necklaces are fantastic! I do like the rounder one better on you Icy. But I'm a sucker for symmetry. I've admired that about most of the strands though...for their size and shape, they were all beautifully matched.

Yeah, I do prefer the non metallic rounder one too. Same preference for symmetry n they have nicer skins tho the metallic ones have slightly better luster.
 
Icy beautiful strands, all of them. I totally agree about the white south seas though. I love all my other white strands but when I want to feel special out comes that white south sea strand.
 
Thanks for the comparison shots icyjade. They really demonstrate how amazing the WSS are. The fwp are also lovely, just different. And I agree, the silver tones look great on you. I'm surprised by how different the over tones show against the skin.
 
Icy your wssp hands down look amazing... oh how it glows on your skin.
I like the shape the the non metallic. It would make a good travelling set.
 
Hi, this is my first post here after following all of your pearl adventures.
All your pearls are lovely and I have learnt so much from you. I would like to share this first strand of black pearls I bought after watching Jeremy's video on you tube, thinking this is the " Black" baroque pearls. Of course after finding pearl guide, I realise they are fw ripples. Lol...
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Size from 12 to under 17 mm
 
Icy beautiful strands, all of them. I totally agree about the white south seas though. I love all my other white strands but when I want to feel special out comes that white south sea strand.

Yeah... I'm gonna be shopping for ssp earrings at my local fair next month... Was thinking that maybe I can just go with fwp but after this comparison, I think I have to get a pair of ssp studs.


Thanks for the comparison shots icyjade. They really demonstrate how amazing the WSS are. The fwp are also lovely, just different. And I agree, the silver tones look great on you. I'm surprised by how different the over tones show against the skin.

I do wonder how a silvery metallic fwp strand with nice skins and shapes will look on me...


Icy your wssp hands down look amazing... oh how it glows on your skin.
I like the shape the the non metallic. It would make a good travelling set.

Yup! I agree too. On its own it looks great. I was quite pleased when I first saw the non metallic strand out of the box.
 
Icy I wear my white south sea drops with my white akoyas and white fw pearls. They are my favorite earrings. Don't you already have wss drops already? Rounds will be wonderful to have too.
 
Yes I do already have a few drops so I'll be looking for wssp studs. I wear studs to work pretty often so I think I will get a lot of wear from them.
 
Icy, your WSSs just glow on your skin. That said, the giants look great on you on their own... which is how you will wear them, not next to your WSSs. It's not exactly a fair comparison given the price difference (how much more roughly? I would imagine at least 5x). I was amazed at the luster of my strand, given how big they are. But yes that WSS glow is different, and particularly pleasing on some people's skin tones.
 
Hi, this is my first post here after following all of your pearl adventures.
All your pearls are lovely and I have learnt so much from you. I would like to share this first strand of black pearls I bought after watching Jeremy's video on you tube, thinking this is the " Black" baroque pearls. Of course after finding pearl guide, I realise they are fw ripples. Lol...
View attachment 42726
Size from 12 to under 17 mm

Welcome to pg! Dunno why I missed your post earlier. Maybe it was under moderation?
Anyway good to have you here and do start a new thread to show us your pearl collection k? :)
 
Icy, your WSSs just glow on your skin. That said, the giants look great on you on their own... which is how you will wear them, not next to your WSSs. It's not exactly a fair comparison given the price difference (how much more roughly? I would imagine at least 5x). I was amazed at the luster of my strand, given how big they are. But yes that WSS glow is different, and particularly pleasing on some people's skin tones.

Yes I agree and mentioned so in my earlier post too. I did the comparison as I think there was a question about these vs wssp and thought it might be helpful for those who haven't gotten their ssp yet.
 
Thank you for the comparison pics, Icyjade. Very helpful when considering the differences between fwp and ss, and even the nuances between different fwp strands. All three look nice on you but between the two large Edisons, I think you made a good choice. The strand with the regular shapes and smooth skins is lovely!
 
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