Hi Joanie and Welcome!
Hope we can help you sort through the online vendors to buy the necklace of your dreams at a great price! I'm sure you'll be hearing from other members here also.
A number of trusted online vendors located in the US are members here at P-G. They deliver pearls that meet the quality they describe and have generous return policies. The pearls you receive will look like the photos
Most of the ebay vendors use a stock photo for the pearls they sell, ship from China and the grades are not well explained. You may receive a necklace that looks quite different from the photo you see on their website. It is a hassle and expensive to return pearls to China and get your money back.
I'm not certain what your budget range is, but a 60 inch necklace is the equivalent in pearls of just under 4 strands, so if you are hoping to find a bargain necklace at 60 inches for much less than what the vendors I've listed show who have extremely good prices, it will be:
1. less round, often with rings, rather eggy shape or oval pearls,
2. have more blemishes and probably be a commercial grade pearl rather than AA or higher,
3. be less well matched for size and shape than what you will get from the listed vendors.
4. most important, will not have the beautiful LUSTER you want your special necklace to have.
The Pearl Paradise
site shows how good freshwater pearls can be.
If you want round pearls over nugget shape pearls, oval pearls and ringed pearls, a purchase from any of these 3 vendors will give you a necklace you'd be proud to wear!
Please let us know what you feel about these choices~
