Hello: This is an interesting thread. It has got me thinking too.
My "learned" opinion is that sometimes the most pricey thing ends up not being the favourite.
I have two tahitian strands, both baroque strands, but one is twice as expensive as the other. The "cheap" one is a playful, multicoloured strand with pearls of VERY differing colours, and with some pronounced rings and interesting shapes. It confounds me a bit, (or makes me smile ironically), that this playful strand (much like the joyful lady who sold it to me; Sarah from Kojima) is the one I always grab to wear. It is just that bit less "formal", yet it is a strand of very cool pearls none-the-less.
My style is not polished and perfect, so really, my favourite pearl strand is like me.
Think about what you wear every day, and how often you will wear your pearls.
I love my fancy strand, and have worn it "nestled" with the playful strand; they look great together.
But, in general, Sarah's tahitians are the ones I grab for "everyday" wear.
I would not have expected that.
Cheers to my pearl buddies.
Linda.