My strands

[Sea Urchin]

These are all freshwater. The doubled smaller white pearls are 8-9 mm, AAA, 36 inch. The other four strands strands are from Overstock.com, AA grade. The big pinks are my favorites. They're 10-11mm, 24 inch. The multicolored strand is 10-11mm, 32 inch (I think it is A grade, come to think of it). The blacks are 8-9mm, 64 inch. The black strand's pretty colors, purple, teal, etc., don't show up in the photo. Of course they're dyed so it's not natural, but pretty anyway. The big whites are 10-11 mm, 36 inch. I've been pleased with Overstock's AA grade. As you can probably see, they do have some irregularities, but I think they are still very nice. Maybe they would be considered "fashion" pearls, all four strands together were half the cost of the white AAA strand. I've also sent a few back on Overstock, you have to sort through them. But maybe that's true with any pearls.

 

[lisa c]

They (Overstock pearls) are very nice, but I see Round pearls in the AAA strand, and definitely Off-Round and lower luster in the overstock strands.

So, Variety and Fun factor Large in your buying, judging by your statement, and why not?!?! Enjoyment is why we buy, right?

Would you be willing to tell us how many strands you order at a time, so you can choose the best? Just curious.
Also, how do you usually wear the longer endless strands?

I have a 52" strand of multicoloreds that I enjoy, not great quality but fun. I got them from Smartbargains. I prefer the ones I bought from Pattye for quality, but they aren't strung (or photographed :-(, I'm bad) yet.

 

[Sea Urchin]

It is fun to have a bunch of them to play with. But, yep, their AA is definitely not on the same level as AAA from the real pearl people.

Overstock charges a restocking fee, which they only waive at their discretion. So, I just got one at a time and decided to keep or return it. I'd say I've sent back as many as I've kept.

I wear the endless strand (the black ones) doubled or knotted. Well, usually I take them off and play with them but I guess that doesn't count.

 

[lisa c]

Thanks for the info, Sea Urchin! I usually end up wearing my necklaces twined as bracelets, so I can spin them on my wrist and admire them. I broke my endless strand that way, but I'll fix it, no sweat...

Fun stuff, right?

 

[Sea Urchin]

That's a good idea, necklaces worn as bracelets. Do you think the pink ones are dyed? Just curious.

 

[lisa c]

I can't tell if they're dyed for sure, except by looking in the drill hole, but I think the color is uniform enough to indicate a dye-job. Were they sold as un-dyed? Some of the real pros here can tell by visual inspection without inspecting drill holes. I think the depth of reflected light is different in dyed vs un-dyed.

Well, wearing necklaces as bracelets - I keep doing it, though it has the obvious problems like how do you work the clasps one handed,
or if it's endless - how do you squeeze your hand through the loops without breaking the thread, or a small hand-bone...

I don't know why I don't just stick with pure bracelets except I hate to give up the necklace option.