Looks for tahitian pearls

[GKellar]

Hello

I'm researching the purchase of a strand of tahitian baroque pearls and have been poking around eBay for a bit. Can I have your professional opinions on these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/18inches-tahiti...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c141764ae

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tahitian-Black-...S_Fine_Necklaces_Pendants&hash=item43954206d2

Also there is such a price difference. So how does one protect from getting ripped off and how can I tell if a strand is real or not or a good deal? Are there any bench marks?

Any other advice would be appreciated, whether good sellers or things to watch for.

Cheers!

 

[Seahorse]

buyer beware

buyer beware

Hi GKellar,

You can do a search of this sight for topics on ebay sellers. I would never recommend buying on ebay when you are not educated about the product you are buying and also would not purchase from anyone without a 100% rating. There are many fine pearl dealers on this sight that will not rip you off and will stand behind their pearls. It is very difficult to judge the quality and color of pearls without seeing them in person. That is another reason you need to buy from someone that you can trust to describe them as they really are. The second strand you list is priced a little high for what they are and I don't know who did the knotting job, but I don't like the frayed look of the knots. If you want an unknotted strand Sarah at Kojima pearl has lots of pearls to choose from, her tahitians are mostly from Kamoka Pearl farms and they are quality pearls.
There are big differences in prices on pearls because there are big differences in quality. Just as in anything else, you get what you pay for.

Darla

 

[pattye]

Both of these strands are poor choices choices--the first seller only has 97.+ rating and calls it a necklace, but is not finished strand, gives no grade, no assurance the strand in the photo is the one you will receive.

The second has horribly poor quality pearls for that amount of money, and all shapes and sizes mixed together--they seem to be the "left overs" or something--

Your best bet is to purchase from someone who has a liberal return policy, gives the grade of the pearls (and indicates on their website exactly what the grade means), adequately describes the color and overtones,
states that the photos are of the strand you will receive. Even baroque pearls are matched somewhat by shape--such as drop, button, oval, and the amount of ringing, which can vary a great deal.

 

[Caitlin]

You may be able to get that $35.00 one for that price, unless someone snipes it. BUT you will have poor quality Tahitians. I don't care if pearls are ringed, but I do care if Tahitians have overtones of other colors. and neither the $35.00 one nor the $1,400 one (which is disgustingly over priced unless the Clasp is worth a $1,000) have any overtones.

In comparison, try Pearl Paradise for quality and good prices. This one LINK is $500. and look at the colors. Once you own one like this, you'll never settle for a solid black Tahitian. I have learned to go to PP first and check the pearls and prices (and shipping) then I go look to see if I can do better. In the last 6 years, I haven't found a better source than PP because Jeremy buys in huge lots and only buys and sells quality pearls that don't embarrass him with their lack of luster.

That is especially true of Tahitians. I would like your first Tahitian to make others drool with the beautiful colors and overtones, then you will always know what to shop for in Tahitians.