Going to be in Manila next weekend and I'd would like to treasure hunt beyond Greenhills and Market Market. I love vintage pearls and would guess Manila might have some vintage stores or jewellers who specialize in this area. Does anyone have any recommendations? Cyndanco have you explored this angle or have any recommended sellers you trust?
Philippine Pearls, vintage and other?
- Thread starter jmd
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go have a look at Hoseki http://hosekijewelry.com/about/
cyndayco
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I've not seen vintage stores that specialise in pearls, but there are a couple of stores in Market Market that have a few pieces of pearl jewelry on display. I don't remember the names, but they are in the back of the pearl section and hard to miss.
For all sorts of pre-loved gold jewelry, I frequent "Just Jewels" at the Glorietta 4 Mall in Makati. Occasionally, there are South Sea pearl rings, pendants, and earrings, but the settings can be on the ostentatious side.
But if you're open to new pieces by young designers, check out Bijoux on the second floor of Greenbelt 5. Their new collection features a lot of baroque pearls set in gold and gold vermeil. Plus they're on sale! I myself am going back to have some pearl cage/clasps made for a lariat.
Happy hunting!
For all sorts of pre-loved gold jewelry, I frequent "Just Jewels" at the Glorietta 4 Mall in Makati. Occasionally, there are South Sea pearl rings, pendants, and earrings, but the settings can be on the ostentatious side.
But if you're open to new pieces by young designers, check out Bijoux on the second floor of Greenbelt 5. Their new collection features a lot of baroque pearls set in gold and gold vermeil. Plus they're on sale! I myself am going back to have some pearl cage/clasps made for a lariat.
Happy hunting!
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my wholesaler here in Bangkok won a lot of very dark golden pearls from Myanmar ( Burma ) in an Myanmar pearl auction by Belpearl in HKG last week.. Those pearls are considered to be the most beautiful on earth and are about 30 percent higher in price than the Philippines golden ones. Can not wait to see them when they come in and I will make photo's and show here.
Oh my....the Hoseki link is amazing Cees. And their designs are stunning - not just an occasional "nice" piece but lots of take your breath away unique designs. Thank you so much!! Now we'll see if my wallet is up to the challenge. I wonder if they have layaway in the Philippines??
Thanks Cyndayco. Your recommendations are perfect. I stay in Makati at Intercom or Fairmont, so know those malls well. I don't however recall seeing either of the stores. But with the sheer number of stores and size of the malls, it's no wonder. Plus I tend to get stuck in Kultura where I buy nice quality branded "souvenir" pearls for family & friends. I won't be able to resist Green hills for sheer volume and diversity. I usually buy strands for restringing where I can choose from the hank, but if there are vendors you know and trust maybe we can trade info. I bought good luster Akoyas last trip for instance from a seller whose family has been in the pearl trade for several generations at what I felt was a fair price for Manila. I know many frown on Greehills but I find if you are selective who you work with, use your knowledge of pearls, look and touch you can come out ok. Of course if you buy in volume and have wholesalers you trust you'd never go near the place.
cyndayco
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jmd, here is a link to some of the work done by these young designers. They have better stuff in the brick-and-mortar store.
http://ava.ph/shops/66-panopio-jewe...edium=social-paid&utm_campaign=PPA-PanopioNew
http://ava.ph/shops/66-panopio-jewe...edium=social-paid&utm_campaign=PPA-PanopioNew
Hey Cynthia, I got by Bijou and indeed their designs were stunning. Also did a stop off to drool in Jewelmer where I saved my buddy (you know who) from a near disaster. She was ready to grab up a wonderful pearl rings with a price tag of 1400, no negotiation required!! Of course she was thinking that was PHP after all our other pearl shopping and that she had the steal of the year, when in fact Jewelmer prices in dollars!!! Thanks for the link, the flash sale intrigues me so I'll likely sign up for their sale notice. Those stacking rings are really really great. Don't recall seeing those in the store, but I was probably in pearl coma by then.
