Newbie and need opinions

Hi skyman,

I'm not really sure what kind of feedback you want.

Although there are a number of photos, without looking at the pearls in person it is especially difficult to evaluate Akoya pearls. They seem to be well matched, in a large size for Akoya, which might mean the pearls have thick nacre, if they truly are from the 70's.

The restocking fee seems rather high, 15%.
 
The clasp is very pretty, but the pearl on the clasp seems whiter and more lustrous than the rest of the strand. I wonder if the clasp was originally on this strand or if it was restrung?

Do you think this creamier color is what your daughter would prefer, or whiter pearls?

Edit: Consider: if the clasp pearl is more lustrous than the strand pearls, can the strand be AAA?
Remember that there is no one standard for AAA when it comes to pearls. Different sellers use it to mean different things. I would want to know his definition of AAA.
 
Last edited:
pattye said:
Hi skyman,

I'm not really sure what kind of feedback you want.

Although there are a number of photos, without looking at the pearls in person it is especially difficult to evaluate Akoya pearls. They seem to be well matched, in a large size for Akoya, which might mean the pearls have thick nacre, if they truly are from the 70's.

The restocking fee seems rather high, 15%.
Click to expand...

Pattye

I was hoping if someone much more pearl saavy than me could tell me whether they look like AAA quality, a general description of the color in the photos, as you mentioned the nacre, and maybe what a real fair value would be making all the right assumptions. The seller said that I could have anyone look at them to confirm the description.

skyman51
 
Sorry, there is no way I can evaluate if these would be AAA pearls.

Have you checked the company out with the professional organizations they say they belong to?

Have you checked with the LA Better Business Bureau?

If you do decide to purchase them, recommend you have an independent pearl appraiser evaluate them right away. Paying by paypal or credit card give one recourse if not as represented.

A good place to compare prices and descriptions of quality is here, Pearl Paradise: https://www.pearlparadise.com/
 
From the photo they look beautiful. However, honestly, if I was going to buy something that cost more than "play pearls" and didn't know a lot about pearls and sellers, I would stick with one of the large, reputable companies like Pearl Paradise. 98% is not that great a rating on ebay, and so often what seems like a bargain can be a disaster in reality. It can be tough to find a jeweler who knows pearls, so even having them appraised may not be much practical help. I had a jeweler tell me things about pearls once that were so far off it was hilarious. Just my thoughts. Let us know what you get!
 
Hello Skyman:
It may seem to you that we are pushing one Vendor on you, (Pearl Paradise), but that is only because we have met the proprietor in person, and have bought his pearls. The prices and the pearls are excellent. There are other vendors on this website who are also very good. If you snoop around here, you will find them. All have good return policies. All the best, and have fun in your search.
Linda.
 
pattye said:
Sorry, there is no way I can evaluate if these would be AAA pearls.

Have you checked the company out with the professional organizations they say they belong to?

Have you checked with the LA Better Business Bureau?

If you do decide to purchase them, recommend you have an independent pearl appraiser evaluate them right away. Paying by paypal or credit card give one recourse if not as represented.

A good place to compare prices and descriptions of quality is here, Pearl Paradise: https://www.pearlparadise.com/
Click to expand...

Pattye

I took your advice and went to Pearl Paradise website. Loved what I saw. I probably will buy new. While doing my research I came across a website that said Hanamada grade means nothing anymore. It went on to say that is the reason Mikimoto dropped that quality rating all together. They said there is no way to tell if the pearlds are truly Japanese and the company that prints the certificates is privately held and has a vested interest. The only certification to go by is the GIA this site said.

I loved what I saw. What is your opinion on the allegation above? Thanks
 
It is false and complete made up, which is why that one website is the only place on the Internet that you will find that information. The "forum" there has no members and every post is written by the same person.

Easy proof: http://www.mikimoto.com.hk/en/about_jewel/pearls/

Further reading: https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6941

Almost nobody uses GIA for cultured pearl certification. They just launched their program a couple of years ago. Their expertise is in certifying natural pearls, not cultured pearls.
 
Skyman51, I have to assume you found that information at AP. The owner is the forum and all the members with the exception of one, is him. All the other 10,000 members are not allowed to speak.
 
Admin said:
It is false and complete made up, which is why that one website is the only place on the Internet that you will find that information. The "forum" there has no members and every post is written by the same person.

Easy proof: http://www.mikimoto.com.hk/en/about_jewel/pearls/

Further reading: https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6941

Almost nobody uses GIA for cultured pearl certification. They just launched their program a couple of years ago. Their expertise is in certifying natural pearls, not cultured pearls.
Click to expand...

This is the kind of information I am looking for from folks that know. I am looking at 8.0-8.5 mm 18 inch necklace and stud earrings, either quality AAA or Hanadama for the best look fabulous. Should I go with an overtone color to match her skin tone or her dress. I know that is a stupid question because she will wear them with many other clothes. She is fai skinned. How would white with rose overtone look with an off white or Ivory dress?
 
I am not an expert or seller, just a pearl lover, but I would not worry about having the pearls match the dress. I have heard those who were fair-skinned say that they felt like the rose overtones made the pearls not stand out enough from their skin color and wished they would have stuck with silver overtones, I believe it looks brighter against fair skin. The ivory is not as popular, I don't think. I hear it looks better with darker skin. So, my vote would be white pearls with silver overtones.

8.0-8.5 is a very nice, large size. I think that's a wonderful choice.

Hanadama is of course certified and a sure bet as far as quality. However, you pay quite a lot more for the certified pearls. I would go with a trusted company and trust their AAA grade to be the equivalent of hanadama, without the certification and its added cost. Just because they are not certified "hanadama" does not mean they are not as good. The certification is expensive to get, so they can offer a better price without it.

I would get the earrings at the same time and ask them to match them to the strand, both in overtones and the metal color. If they're studs, the metal doesn't really show anyway but I think it just makes a nicer looking gift when the metal colors match. Also, personally I prefer the earrings a bit larger than the strand, so they stand out a bit rather than just looking like another pearl from the strand. As someone else mentioned, I would trust any of the regular sellers on here. If they are scammers or shoddy, they are quickly run off, haha (but really, they are). I say PP because they are so large and likely to have a large selection. If you use the chat function on the site, they will email you a few pics to choose from and you can ask your questions. (I'd use the chat function rather than emailing because I have found it's quicker response).

Let's see...

Hanadama- $2,924

http://www.pearlparadise.com/18inch-8085-mm-White-Hanadama-Akoya-Pearl-Necklace-744.aspx

AAA- $2,195

http://www.pearlparadise.com/8085-mm-White-Akoya-Pearl-Necklace99.aspx

I'm sure that hanadama certificate does carry additional bragging rights as well as the extra assurance of quality, so your finances and priorities for this gift figure in as well. But that is quite a chunk of change. Personally, I would get the AAA quality from a reputable dealer and keep the $800 difference (plus earrings, of course).

Again, I'm not an expert so that's just what I've picked up from hanging around here for awhile. I have a pair of hanadama earrings from PP, which are in my in my album on my profile page. They are gorgeous, but if I had known a bit more about pearls at the time, I would have gotten the AAA and saved some money. Maybe others will join in here. Good luck and let us know what you get! :)
 
Last edited:
P.S. For very nice pearls that cost quite a bit less, there is also the option of AAA or freshadama (PP's "best of the AAA) freshwater pearls. They have a bit softer rather than mirrory luster. They are nacre all the way through, whereas the akoyas are a bead coated with nacre. Freshwaters can be worn everyday forever and not wear out.

PP also has metallic whites, which do have that mirror luster and seem wildly popular around here. A possible downside, since there is no round bead at the center, they may be very slightly off-round, but probably not enough to be noticeable when wearing them.

http://www.pearlparadise.com/8085-mm-Metallic-White-Freshwater-Pearl-Necklace4510.aspx
 
Match her skin, not the dress.

I have pink undertones to my skin and my silver-rose Freshadamas blend in with my skin tone (I actually prefer my metallic white fwp for that reason).

Neck shot of my Freshadamas : https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=10435&d=1222185178
Neck shot of white metallic FWP in the same light: https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=19519&d=1353172163

My daughter is more fair-skinned than I am and the silver-rose Freshadamas suit her skin tone perfectly. She wears them to special school events.

AAA akoyas would be lovely, I'm sure.
 
Sea Urchin said:
I am not an expert or seller, just a pearl lover, but I would not worry about having the pearls match the dress. I have heard those who were fair-skinned say that they felt like the rose overtones made the pearls not stand out enough from their skin color and wished they would have stuck with silver overtones, I believe it looks brighter against fair skin. The ivory is not as popular, I don't think. I hear it looks better with darker skin. So, my vote would be white pearls with silver overtones.

8.0-8.5 is a very nice, large size. I think that's a wonderful choice.

Hanadama is of course certified and a sure bet as far as quality. However, you pay quite a lot more for the certified pearls. I would go with a trusted company and trust their AAA grade to be the equivalent of hanadama, without the certification and its added cost. Just because they are not certified "hanadama" does not mean they are not as good. The certification is expensive to get, so they can offer a better price without it.

I would get the earrings at the same time and ask them to match them to the strand, both in overtones and the metal color. If they're studs, the metal doesn't really show anyway but I think it just makes a nicer looking gift when the metal colors match. Also, personally I prefer the earrings a bit larger than the strand, so they stand out a bit rather than just looking like another pearl from the strand. As someone else mentioned, I would trust any of the regular sellers on here. If they are scammers or shoddy, they are quickly run off, haha (but really, they are). I say PP because they are so large and likely to have a large selection. If you use the chat function on the site, they will email you a few pics to choose from and you can ask your questions. (I'd use the chat function rather than emailing because I have found it's quicker response).

Let's see...

Hanadama- $2,924

http://www.pearlparadise.com/18inch-8085-mm-White-Hanadama-Akoya-Pearl-Necklace-744.aspx

AAA- $2,195

http://www.pearlparadise.com/8085-mm-White-Akoya-Pearl-Necklace99.aspx

I'm sure that hanadama certificate does carry additional bragging rights as well as the extra assurance of quality, so your finances and priorities for this gift figure in as well. But that is quite a chunk of change. Personally, I would get the AAA quality from a reputable dealer and keep the $800 difference (plus earrings, of course).

Again, I'm not an expert so that's just what I've picked up from hanging around here for awhile. I have a pair of hanadama earrings from PP, which are in my in my album on my profile page. They are gorgeous, but if I had known a bit more about pearls at the time, I would have gotten the AAA and saved some money. Maybe others will join in here. Good luck and let us know what you get! :)
Click to expand...

Thank you for the advice. I wondered if more then anything else you were paying for the certification. I agree 100%, I will go with the AAA. My daughter is going to love them!
 
Skyman,

You've gotten some great advice from the others here while I was off dealing with car problems. Your daughter will treasure her very special pearls from you, and she will look magnificent in them with whatever color clothing she wears. You've made a great choice!
 
I spoke with a very nice and informative woman at Paradise Pearls yesterday. She told me in addition to answering my questions that there would be a mothers day sale of 20 % off eveything. She was not sure of the dates, but would email.
 
Hi to All

I am going to purchase a pearl set from Pearl Paradise after speaking with two very helpful folks ther. I just want to confirm with your opinions what they told me. I said my daughter haa fair skin. They said the best choice would be the white Akoya with Rose and Silver overtones. Are you in agreement with that? Thank you.

20% off sale began April 23rd for Mother's Day.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

P
Newbie - Need Some Guidance on Gold SS Pearl Purchase
Replies
16
Views
793
CatMom
CatMom
M
New (to us) Deco Mikimoto Bracelet
Replies
7
Views
581
BWeaves
BWeaves
pammbw
Need a second opinion?
Replies
3
Views
690
MotherOfPearlTrumpet
MotherOfPearlTrumpet
D
12th Anniversary purchase
Replies
10
Views
2K
CortezPearls
CortezPearls
L
Suggestions First Hanadama pearl necklace
Replies
14
Views
2K
CortezPearls
CortezPearls
Back
Top