Is this necklace good value and is it what the seller claims it is

[Johanna1]

Hi all

I am watching this necklace on eBay is it what the seller claims it is and if so is it good value. The link to it is below:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281038520663?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Please you tell me what it is if it is not as claimed.

Thank you

 

[dkan 168]

The cynic in me believe it is likely to be Chinese Freshwater Pearls rather than Akoyas due to the size of the pearls, however, I could be wrong.

I would probably pay no more than 400 GBP including import duties.

DK

 

[perlinda]

HS Jewelry doesn't have good reputation... They claim this item as "a rare, huge 10.5mm, near round, Akoya saltwater cultured pearl with a lovely natural lavender color" which is bogus.

You can check this review too from fellow PG member.

So I believe that the pearls in the link you posted is not Japanese Akoya, but Chinese Freshwater pearls.

 

[Nerida]

Hmmm, looking at a few of their other items - huge 'south sea' keshi strands for 4599 GBP? Definitely Chinese freshwaters, which, whilst beautiful, are worth a fraction of that price. I also think your strand looks like CFWP.

 

[KarinK]

I would just never spend that kind money at eBay. Periode. Far too risky - unless it was with one of the dealers we know personally here at PG.

- Karin

 

[Sea Urchin]

Some of their akoya listings seem like they have freshwater pearl characteristics, like these off-round peachy-pink and lavender-peach pendants:


http://www.ebay.com/itm/HS-Huge-10-...S_Fine_Necklaces_Pendants&hash=item3f2075863b


http://www.ebay.com/itm/HS-Rare-10m...S_Fine_Necklaces_Pendants&hash=item3f2061d379



Here's a link someone provided elsewhere on here, a way to check out the ebay ratings better than the ones left on ebay after disputes have been settled (this seller has a 100% ebay rating) :

http://toolhaus.org/cgi-bin/negs?Use...ed+by&ref=home

Also, a problem I'd have with buying akoyas from a source whose reputation I didn't know well is, from my understanding, some akoyas are not left in the water long enough. This gives the company a quick profit, but the pearls have an extremely thin layer of nacre. It wears off quickly and then the pearls are trash.

That is my inexpert input!

 

[Caitlin]

I agree that HS is not a thoroughly honest seller and misrepresents stuff and over prices it. They are a Chinese freshwater outfit and probably don't even have akoyas. Also they don't sell the necklace in the picture which is just supposed to be representative of the entire lot.

I suggest you look for an equivalent sized Chinese cultured freshwater necklace with 9-10mmpearls. Maybe Wendy at Pearlescence has one you like. I include a link to a much much larger one @310 pounds- she is in England. This particular necklace has a luster as good as all but the finest akoya necklaces.

Of course there are honest and good sellers in the US too. Come back if you don't find the perfect necklace with Wendy and I'll look up some good US links.

I put HS into toolhaus and ALL the feedback is there. Below is the 2nd negative one I saw. A lot of the neutral feedback was also removed from eBay, none of it is good.

	AA+ Japanese akoya?-NOT- Laquer coated (pearls?) sub C: Pop bead like. PU- FRAUD	Buyer: Member id logito777 ( Feedback Score Of 170 )	Dec-09-08 19:07
	Reply by hs_jewellery_watches (Dec-10-08 03:42): Vicious Slander! Feedback Extortion! ILL-MEANING GUEST! What a Shame!!
	HS 9 X 10mm BAROQUE AKOYA CULTURED PEARL NECKLACE AA+ (#270284176753)

I had to come back and add this "neutral" feedback

	their pearl looks like a FAKE compared to my real pearls. I think it is a FAKE.	Buyer: Member id dioramagirl (private)	May-25-07 17:04
	Reply by hs_jewellery_watches (May-26-07 03:53): 1 Fake Pearl Found in our Store, 100X $$ Back! Vicious Slander; a Shame to eBay! Rating mutually withdrawn Buyer and seller mutually agreed to withdraw feedback for this item. Learn more about calculating Feedback revisions- opens in a new window or tab.
	HS SOUTH SEA CULTURED PEARL 10mm STUD EARRINGS 14K AA+ (#270118680438)	US $89.99

 

[Johanna1]

Thank you all again for your help and advice. This Forum and pearls are so addictive.

 

[Mommy33]

Another flag is feedback marked "private." Back in the early days our identities were open for all members to see. Lots of members started being spammed and abused by other members, however, eBay has rectified this situation by making our identities hidden while bidding. There is no reason to hide member identities on feedback unless the auction was less than reputable. When the auction is for a high-cost item, say over $10,000 to millions, a seller will hide the identities to save the buyer from money grubbing types. Most on the eBay forums that I've read do not trust sellers that hide transactions. Just some food for thought...as always...buyer beware!