Long Pearl Necklace...Need help Please!

[NickSMU]

Posted already but hasn't shown up, so sorry in advance if it double posts...

I am looking to buy my wife an endless pearl necklace around 72" or longer, unfortunately I know nothing about pearls.

I went to my jeweler in Chicago where I have purchased many things, we look at many pearl strand in the 7-7.5mm pearl size range. I found a strand I liked and throught were pretty and the price came out to $3000. They looked good and had a slight pink tint which i was told would look good on my wife who is fair skinned.

I had no idea what questions to ask, but now have been shopping them around the internet and I see freshwater pearls in that length for under 1000 and some for about the same price.

Can anyone guide me? I have looked at pearl paradise and they sell by the inch freshwater and akoya, the freshwaters come out to about 720 in AAA grade and the akoyas at 3k.

Also found this strand on blue nile, http://www.bluenile.com/freshwater-cultured-pearl-necklace-100-inch_35892?click_id=666921842 ,

Just looking for some guidance, I want them to be nice but want her to feel good about wearing them whenever she wants with jeans or dress... was hoping to stay at 2k or below but might not be possible for a nice set.

Please Help!!

Thanks in advance

 

[jshepherd]

You could go with so many different sizes, qualities and types to reach that length. An akoya would work as would a freshwater in a larger size. I'd always suggest calling to determine what you are really looking for and matching the right piece.

 

[Amrita]

Hi NickSMU! Welcome to P-G!
You are right freshwaters are way more economical and quite lovely too in a 72-inch pearl rope....
Have a look at this thread to get an idea :
https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6338

I think 72-inch pearl ropes are so versatile, can be made into 2, 3, 4 layered necklaces or a chunky eye-catching bracelet...Your wife is such a lucky lady..

 

[pearlescence]

Hi/ Yes, I would plump for freshwaters as well, and I would recommend putting in a clasp. Makes it much easier to put on and off without strangling yourself

 

[NickSMU]

So, I guess I can stay under budget and go with the freshwater. Pearl paradise sells AAA freshwater by the inch, but if they don't look good there is a restocking fee...

Anyone have any other suggestions

 

[lisa c]

1) Where are you located?
2) if you look at the members here who have businesses, you'll have a good shot at getting what you want. If you see photos of the actual strands they'll use to make the long necklaces... Is that done for the endless necklaces?

My experience of endless necklaces came from JCPenneys before I got to know about pearls on this website. There weren't a lot to choose among, they were on the eggy side and dyed, but I got two 100" strands of 5.5 to 6 mm. Good size for me (narrow shoulders), and the weight was ok.

Now that I know more about pearls (thanks to the PGers) for a 100"-endless, I'd buy around the same size but from one of the vendors here.

For a shorter endless-strand, like 36-60 inches, larger mm pearls would be cool!

Thoughtful Man!

 

[NickSMU]

I am located in Chicago area, I am guessing that the stuff my normal jeweler showed me were not freshwater due to the cost....

I guess I can email pearlparadise or one of the web sites and just trust them.....

 

[pearlescence]

Bricks and Mortar jewellery shops tend to be long on prices and short on pearl knowledge, because they do not buy close to source and the pearls they do stock tend to have gone through several hands. Also pearls are outside normal gemstone knowldge ranges
When you say just trust an online shop is that in terms of general suspicion or you don't think that the quality will be up to much. You would be wrong on both counts. Having been with Jeremy and Hisano (Pearl Paradise) while they select stock I can vouch for their exacting standards and hard bargaining.

 

[NickSMU]

Its hard not being able to see the product beforehand....Also this would be a custom job so there is a re-stocking fee...I see that many people on here have glowing reviews of pearlparadise, so I am leaning towards a AAA freshwater from them

Anyone have an opinion on the size I am looking at, around 7.5, should I try and go a little bigger? Is it worth it to pony up for the akoya's, or will the AAA freshwater look good enough?

 

[Caitlin]

Size is a matter of taste and budget. I love ropes and wear them a lot. I do not think 7.5-8 mm and above, is the best look for a rope. I think 7mm is a great size for a rope, myself. The slightly smaller pearls usually have the best luster if you want the knock 'em dead shine, 7mm is not small- it is average.

Do you remember ever seeing Louise Brooks in her ropes? Very iconic figure of the flapper era, when ropes were first becoming available in cultured pearls. Of course the length of that strand is way longer than average, but it photographs better than it wears. the 40-73 inch length are the best lengths.

 

[Caitlin]

When I was looking for that photo of Louise, I found this link- Louise brooks in pearls t-shirt. 100% cotton. $20- Nice stocking stuffer!

 

[Sea Urchin]

That is a neat shirt, Caitlin.

I have a 8-9mm (8mm really) strand, 64 inches long, that I wear all the time and love but I wouldn't want to go any larger than that with it. I'd be happy with 7.5mm on a rope. That's a good point about the luster tending to be better with smaller pearls.

About freshwater AAA vs. akoya, my white AAA freshwater strand (8mm) is very nice. It is not as lustrous as my mirrory 7mm akoya earrings, however. But, the akoyas are also a bit smaller and hanadamas, too (certified top grade akoyas. I don't even want to know what a rope of them would cost). I didn't notice the difference until I got the akoya earrings, though. Also, that's just one comparison, so for what it's worth...

If you are going with Pearl Paradise, they also have a best-of-the-AAA additional grade, "Freshadama," since you asked about AAA vs. akoya. I am no expert but, honestly, it would surprise me if anyone wasn't very pleased with AAA freshwaters. Apologies if I've repeated myself from the other thread. Good luck with it.

 

[Marianne]

I have a strand of AA+ 7.5 - 8mm Freshwater pearls from Pearl Paradise and they are just beautiful. 7.5 is a good size for pop and would not be too heavy in a rope. I can not imagine anyone being disappointed with these pearls!