My conch pearl

[Fiwi]

Hi all! I'm new to the forum. I found my way here trying to decide how to set my conch pearl. My husband gave it to me for our anniversary. I've been wanting one for some time. I'm told I shouldn't drill it, but I hate the idea of prongs. I am leaning towards wearing it as a necklace. Would appreciate any creative ideas! TIA!

 

[newberry]

Welcome to the forum. That is a special pearl so you need a very special setting. I am not sure what to do with it. I am sure someone else on this forum will be by soon with some great ideas.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

That is so pretty!

I think this setting would fit your pearl, and it doesn't involve drilling or prongs:

http://www.pearlparadise.com/p-1933-embrace-pendant-14k-gold.aspx

 

[Katbran]

Fiwi- What a gorgeous pearl! Such a lovely present .. lucky you !!


PD - great idea on the setting ! Ive never really looked at that one before...I love the shape!

 

[Fiwi]

That is so pretty!

I think this setting would fit your pearl, and it doesn't involve drilling or prongs:

http://www.pearlparadise.com/p-1933-embrace-pendant-14k-gold.aspx

Thank you for the suggestion, PD! I will look in to a cage. I just don't want to cover too much of it up, KWIM?

 

[BWeaves]

I second the use of the Embrace setting from Pearl Paradise. The pearl will sit in a "cage" so it can be removed easily. It need not be drilled or glued or anything.

 

[Purranha]

I think it would be a little difficult not to have the pearl drilled. Cage setting is nice, but does block up the pearl a bit... But then you can always start with a cage pendant, then move onto other designs requiring drilling later on, so that's actually a great flexible option.

I'm sharing here one of the Miki's Conch pearl ring photo - many of us LUSTS after that ring/design. Kelluvpearls have also fashioned her fabulous Fiji chocolate keshi with this design.

 

[JerseyPearl]

That is a gorgeous ring, Purr. I too thought of the caged setting for the pearl.

 

[Purranha]

JP I've been drooling after it for the longest time. And must credit Kelluvpearls for the initial posting!

 

[Fiwi]

I wonder if this is set by compression or if it's glued or drilled . . .

 

[Icyjade]

Any particular reason not to drill the pearl? Am curious as I've seen loads of drilled conch pearls.

Some other settings:

From: https://www.modaoperandi.com/susan-foster-r15/pearl-ring


From: https://www.modaoperandi.com/spinelli-kilcollin-fw15/bluet-pave-pearl-ring


From Rio Pearl, Hong Kong


From: http://www.paspaley.com/collection/lavalier


Buy from Bella Findings: https://www.bellafindings.com/jewelscart2000/store/jewelscart2000_searchItem.asp

And if you can't decide, you can put it in a cheapie ring to play with while thinking

https://www.etsy.com/sg-en/listing/168560041/pick-a-pearl-cage-silver-ring-unique?ref=market

 

[Icyjade]

And this is my fav:

From: http://art.thewalters.org/detail/25440/sautoir-with-pearl-pendant/

 

[Purranha]

OMG Icy you provided an entire list of AWESOME design ideas!!! Thanks so much for sharing!
The hotair balloon one is oh so cute, and I saw the Paspaley design featured in the Secret Life of Pearls documentary but instead of sapphire, the "net" was made with baby seed pearls. WOW WOW WOW they are all stunning!!!

 

[Fiwi]

Icy, you found some of my favorite examples! The last one has been my favorite too, but sadly out of my budget. LOVE the lavalier -- I've not seen that one before! I am definitely going to purchase a cage so that I can wear my pearl until I can have it set.

I was told not to drill it as it devalues the pearl. . .

BTW, can anyone tell me how long my posts have to be approved before they will be immediately posted?

 

[JerseyPearl]

Icy, that Papaley setting is amazing...a similar one was featured on the Nat Geo documentary. I cannot imagine how beautiful it must be in person!

 

[BWeaves]

Fiwi: I've mentioned this recently on another conch pearl thread. Conch pearls fade in sunlight, so plan on wearing this gem at night or indoors for special occasions. Yours is such a beautiful color, and you want to preserve its beauty.

 

[Purranha]

Fiwi, I "think" (will wait for admins to confirm) once you have your first couple posts approved, then it becomes instantaneous afterwards. I see that you are on post 4 so you should be good to go.

 

[KaySD]

Fiwi, your pearl has such a beautiful color. What a fabulous anniversary gift!

I love the idea of the Paspaley "net" design done with baby seed pearls. The tiny white pearls would look beautiful against the color of the conch pearl. You might want to talk to Pearl Paradise about a custom pendant setting.

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

I was told not to drill it as it devalues the pearl. . .

Drilling will halve the value and run the risk of destroying it entirely.

That said, because it was a gift from your husband commemorating a life event, it's desired value is already realized. Fashioning the pearl into a tasteful piece could recover some, all or perhaps even more value depending on the setting.

Although this pearl does not present with the classic flame patterns we'll often see in other conch pearls, it's near perfectly round without blemishes and has an elegantly uniform tangerine color.

An esteemed gift from a thoughtful partner at a special time. Congratulations!

 

[JerseyPearl]

Dave, I really love how you phrased your evaluation..."it's desired value is already realized." It strikes me that we often lose sight of exactly that point...maybe it's why we "save" our stuff for only special occasions? But really a lovely way to think of the object as the thing of pleasure rather than a thing of value. And I agree, an absolutely lovely pearl it is!