Dark Tahitian pearls in different lighting

[~Crystal~]

I feel like this is a really silly question... but anyways- I keep staring at my tahitian strand in its box and it looks lovely, all dark greens with a range of pink purple etc overtones.

The thing is, when I try to do this at night and turn on the light or when sunlight falls on them... I find that they look rather unappealing. Basically for lack of a better description, they look like irregularly shaped shiny black droppings (I saw someone else use this description lol).

I know that harsh lighting isn't going to show the true colours of the pearls, but this sort of makes me NOT want to wear them out since I would be in the sunlight or in well lit areas!

Compared to my multi-coloured freshwater metallic strand, I find it really off-putting! When they're sitting side by side in indirect light, I love the colours of the tahitians as much as the freshies... but in any other light, the freshwaters win hands down!

SO what I wanted to know... is whether this is common to darkly coloured tahitians. Or do I just have a dud strand? I love the look of them in indirect light so much so and want to have a pair of matching earrings made! But I need to sort this out in my head first!

 

[Caitlin]

I think that is why they are called "Black Pearls" Many strands don't have much in the way of overtones, either. You have the exception.

 

[pattye]

Hi Crystal,

First, I want to say that it sounds like you have a very nice strand with beautiful overtones. I do think the effect you see when the pearls are just sitting still in the box are quite different than when they are on the neck or against skin, because when you are moving around the light is coming from different directions with various intensity and the lovely overtones will show. I have noticed this with Tahitians, dyed black freshwaters, and natural color freshwaters also, even the Sea of Cortez pearls. Pearls also reflect the colors one wears, so that can make a difference.

Have you worn them much, or are you mostly admiring them in the box?

 

[CLICLASP]

Hi Crystal,
We must all accept that some jewelry is for day and some other is for night and not be disappointed about it,
the same happens to sapphires and rubies.
Just enjoy each at their best and get enough to shift from day to night ...

 

[~Crystal~]

Thank you everyone for all the replies!! I've only worn them out once or twice (at night) which is when I like the look of the pearls the best Mostly, they just sit on my desk next to me so that I can admire them!

I wasn't sure if I was just being weird or if it was a trait common to dark coloured pearls! I will be taking the advice to heart and enjoy them as they are! I can't even see them on my neck once they're on so it's just me and my crazy imagination trying to decide how they look I think... and in that case, I guess I'm always thinking of things in the worst lighting possible- harsh and direct! How often am I honestly going to be sitting under glaring sunlight or right under a light bulb really?!

Thank you again everyone for helping me put things into perspective I think I'm going to go ahead and get the tahitian earrings made. Surely they can't look black even in direct light when compared to black hair!!

Off topic, but I wanted opinions on this as well Do you guys think Tahitian pearls look better on white or yellow gold? I personally wear only white gold... but something tells me peacock tahitians would look really yummy with yellow gold findings...

 

[GemGeek]

I have noticed that strands with a predominant plum color go especially well with yellow, but white gold is a good choice for Tahitian pearls.

 

[pattye]

Hi Crystal,

Tahitians hold their own in either white or yellow gold! You might want to consider some variety of dangle earring (I prefer leverbacks for security), as the movement will make the pearls more noticeable against your hair. Also some earring styles include some small sparkly gems. If you are a diamond kind of gal, just for example, Pearl Paradise has some cool offerings, check out both pages. http://www.pearlparadise.com/Pearl-Earring-Findings332.aspx?page=1. Small diamonds are not expensive and add a great sparkle. Huggie hoops with removable drops are also an option. Any jeweler you are working with will likely be able to offer similar kinds of findings.

 

[~Crystal~]

Thanks GemGeek and pattye

Sarah from Kojima pearl emailed me with pictures of two GORGEOUS pairs of tahitians for me to choose from and mentioned that she has some white gold leverbacks that she can set them on, so that might be the way to go!! I'm trying to decide if I would like them on the leverbacks or on some white gold threaders like the baroque akoys I got from PP so that I can adjust the length The little rubber backing that comes with the threaders helps to keep them at the length I need pretty well so I think they are fairly secure!

 

[pattye]

Crystal,

Great ideas you have, and no one could be better than Sarah to help you! Look forward to the hearing what you decide!!

 

[GemGeek]

You're in good hands with Sarah. Have fun!

 

[Miriam Reed]

I have noticed that strands with a predominant plum color go especially well with yellow, but white gold is a good choice for Tahitian pearls.

Pistacio Tahitians also look good with yellow gold and some bronze and green overtones do as well, but I prefer white gold with most Tahitian pearls.