Pearl stores in NYC?

[tahitiangirl]

Hi everyone. I will be going into the city a lot this week and need some names of stores that specialize in pearls. I am looking for undrilled freshwater pearls and I would like to look on 47th street for the store.
Thanks,
-Steph

 

[Pearlgully]

Tahitian Girl, here are a few places you might try:

- New York Jewelry Mart Corp., 26 W. 47th St.
- Lucky Gems, 1220 Broadway (nr. 30th St.)
Make sure you bargain with the sales people at the above two places
because each sales person will quote you a different price.

Another place that has beautiful pearls is Eliko Pearl Co. at 2 W. 46th
St. They are high-end and had really nice undrilled freshwater pearls.

Two other places at 25 W. 47th St. are David Mazri and Ross Altman.

I hope this helps. All of the places I mentioned are wholesale, so
you'll need a resale number.

Good Luck,
Gail
Pearl Girl, LLC
New York

 

[tahitiangirl]

Thanks so much for all of those store names! I hate to sound ignorant but what is a resale number and can I get one?

 

[knotty panda]

Wow! You're a regular walking NYC pearl directory! Good job! I wonder if any of these places have websites.

 

[GemGeek]

Thanks so much for all of those store names! I hate to sound ignorant but what is a resale number and can I get one?

You need to get a business license from your state and usually also a resale certificate. It takes some leg work and you have to file and pay use and/or sales tax to your state. Also, you may have to file for a DBA - "doing business as" name for your business if it isn't your proper name. For instance - Jones Jewelry vs Tahitian Girl Jewelry. And most vendors/dealers want to see business cards.

And you probably have to be 18 years old. Your parents could file these things for you and include you as an employee, though.

Then again, a lot of the businesses in NYC sell to the public. When I lived in Manhattan, I purchased plenty of items. It all depends on how badly they want to sell something. So ask! Always ask. I found that a lot of intimidating sellers can weaken when a young person shows an interest in their goods. Yes, I was young when I lived in Manhattan -- so long ago

Have a terrific trip
Blaire

 

[knotty panda]

Tahitian girl: Attached is a link to the New York State form that you fill out to receive a certificate for resale. http://www.jwin.com/sites/businesspartners/bpforms/new york Resale Certificate Form.pdf

 

[Pearlgully]

Tahitian Girl,

In my opinion, You should not apply for a N.Y. resale certificate
unless you know what you are getting into. Are you planning to start a
business? Once you've applied, the state will send you lots of paper work
and (not for nothing) you will be required to file tax returns.

Honestly, I don't think you'll have a problem getting into the New York
Jewelry Mart. You'll be paying wholesale prices but you'll just pay
them the sales tax . No big deal. Eventhough I know you want undrilled,
check out the strands of multicolored CFW baroque (tissue nucleated)
pearls; they're asking $65. I'm sure Ross Altman will also do business
with you. He can be a little obnoxious but he has beautiful and unusual
undrilled pearls.

Good luck,
Gail
Pearl Girl, LLC
New York

 

[tahitiangirl]

Thanks for all of the help everyone! I went into the city yesterday and bought a few freshwater pearls from the Jewelry Mart. They are round, AAA grade, 7-8mm, lavender, and half-drilled so I can make some earrings. Are these pearls tissue nucleated?
Thanks,
-Steph

 

[Caitlin]

Hi Tahitian girl

Yes they are tissue nucleated.

How did you like the jewelry mart? What does it carry? What did you look at?

 

[tahitiangirl]

The jewelry mart was very nice. Most of their stock was all different types of beads like gemstones and shells, anything that you want you could find at this place. They also had some costume type jewelry on display all over the place and some loose gemstones. Pearl wise they had shell pearls, very large round and baroque SS and tahitian pearls and very lovely freshwater pearls. For the pearls that I bought, I paid 25$ each for. The staff was very nice and helpful and were patient when I was choosing and looking at all of their freshwater pearls.

 

[Mandy]

Grats on you having success in NYC! Please post pics! For that price I would definitely like to see them

 

[tahitiangirl]

Sorry for the delay. My camera is giving me trouble. Anyway, one of the pearls is larger and has creamy,peachy and almost golden tones to it. The other is a tad smaller and is a lavender color. Is the bigger one dyed because it has a slight yellow color?

 

[tahitiangirl]

Here are some pics, finally!

 

[tahitiangirl]

why didn't the pics show up? I kept getting a failed message.

 

[Caitlin]

Maybe you need to resize tem. this site won't upload anything over 1.33inches high or 400 pixels high x 600 wide

 

[tahitiangirl]

 

[tahitiangirl]

Haha! Finally. Ok. The first and last pics are of the bigger pearl and the middle ones are of the smaller pearl. I don't know why some of those marks came up on the pics but it is just dust, the pearls are flawless and the halo of color at the top of the pearls is the color all around, there is not halo or dull spots on the pearls.

 

[tahitiangirl]

Also, both pearls have an incredible mirror like luster and I can see myself in the pearl when I look at them.