just for fun...playing dress-up, courtesy of TPO

[Mervione]

I didn?t mean that it?d be better to show every single combination, just a picture of all qualities and of all different kinds of pearls. Clasps, size and length isn?t exactly needed if since different monitors shows different size, and length isn?t the same on all necks and you can probably imagine what a clasp looks like on a strand. I think it?s more important to have side by side pictures of different qualities for comparison, it might be harder to imagine that, especially if you don?t have much knowledge of pearls and pearl quality.

Hm, so it seems the posts I`ve been reading about cold water meaning higher luster is wrong if the vietnamese akoyas are so shiny...

It is true that akoya pearls are more valuable, more expensive, something you can see when just looking at the pricing of them. But I can?t see any reason why.

 

[The Pearl Outlet]

Ah... Point taken.

Colder water is a factor in luster, but it isn't the only contributor to luster and isn't absolutely necessary in all cases.

Perception, percieved quality, market factors, marketing, cost of culturing, supply and demand are all reasons why Akoya pearls are more valuable. If you're looking for a reason like "Akoya pearls are better and or last longer", you won't find one. But let me stress that ONLY the highest quality freshwater pearls are as round and lusterous as high-quality Akoya pearls.

 

[Mervione]

Point taken as well.

So USUALLY akoyas are more lustrous, but sometimes freshwaters (gem quality) have the same sharp luster?

Maybe add a little text saying that the pictures show nice ways of wearing a rope and add a couple of pictures of AAA akoya and AAA freshwater? That way the costumer will get a better overlook I think.

 

[The Pearl Outlet]

Roundness is rarer than luster in freshwater pearls. The statement would be more correct as "...USUALLY akoyas are more round and lustrous, but sometimes freshwaters (gem quality) are as round and have the same sharp luster."

 

[pearlkrazy]

I thought I'd throw in my two cents as a consumer -

The pictures I see on a retailers site I assume are the lowest quality. Meaning if there are options on size, quality, ect I expect the item shown to be the least expensive option. If I really want something in particular (color, quality, luster, shape, etc) I will contact the seller directly to discuss & request detailed pictures. I view the pictures as a representation of the style, not the exact piece I will receive, unless it is otherwise stated on the website. I don't have any problems with TPO page as it is, I see it as a nice example of the versatility of the rope & as far as I'm concerned the pictures are not close up enough to judge quality or type anyway. I do think it would be nice to add a bit of text saying what the item pictured is & to contact customer service for info on the other options.

 

[BluePawprint]

Gorgeous pics- somehow the black white especially.

 

[Caitlin]

Roundness is rarer than luster in freshwater pearls. The statement would be more correct as "...USUALLY akoyas are more round and lustrous, but sometimes freshwaters (gem quality) are as round and have the same sharp luster.

I think this statement is really a good summation.

Most others on the upscale side don't use commerical grade pearls, which are usually the most off round. In fact I hardly see ever round pearls in the commercial booths and webpages. So less than A round goes into the commercial pile without regard to luster factors.

That means one can often get button shaped off round commercial grade FWCP -pearls with sharp luster- especially in the 5-6mm range, which most upscale online pearl sellers do not use much either.

One more thing. The commercial sellers have been steadily increasing their FWCP stock with great luster. In the past 2 years I have seen many fewer CFWP of flat, bland luster. You have to go to W*lmart and Targ*t, to see those.