South Sea Finest!

[jshepherd]

I have been working with Paspaley for a customer to create a truly special strand of South Sea pearls and matching earrings. The pearls are Paspaley RD1, T/N1 - Paspaley's finest quality. The piece came in last week and the customer flew in to pick it up yesterday. I needed her permission to post pictures and details of the strand.

I had heard about this quality when visiting their office in Hong Kong a few years ago, but was told that they almost never make strands with it. They had a small lot of maybe a dozen of the pearls in a small size (around 9 mm if I recall).

This finished piece is made with a larger-size version of those pearls, and is the most magnificent South Sea necklace I've ever seen. The pearls glow in different lighting, showing a true rainbow effect from silver to rose.

We tried two different clasps on the strand. The bottom photo shows a diamond clasp with about 3 cttw. The top photo is one of our standard clasps. We've decided neither are suitable enough, so we are going to do something a bit more exotic and custom.

Enjoy!

 

[Hanaleimom]

WOW!!!!!!!

I'm wiping my face after drooling . The strand is gorgeous. Love the satiny luster. Thanks for showing the photos.

Is it 18" finished? With such large pearls, 16" can feel a bit tight.

 

[jshepherd]

The strand was actually long so we removed two pearls. Knotted, the strand comes to 18.25 inches. We are going to create a couple of other unique pieces for the same customer with the extra pearls.

It really is the finest SSP strand I've ever seen.

 

[jerin]

Jeremy,

if the strand is not finished yet, perhaps you could take some more pics to show the different rainbow colours? Beautiful pearls, size from 9 - 13 mm?

 

[Hanaleimom]

I keep going back to this post to look at the photos again and again . Jeremy, does it have silver overtone? It seems like it with the bottom photo, but the top photo looks creamy. I also have question about the tag. It has 55 mo. on the right hand side (or is it 26.55 mo?). Does it mean 55 months? If so, does Paspaley keep track of the number of months for each pearl or is it the avg. time for the whole strand? I am just curious, that's all. Thanks.

 

[pearlescence]

I have a customer who wants a strand like that - they want to spend about $500. I keep telling them 'no chance' but they don't believe me!
(I'm thinking of sending them off for shell pearls soon)

Totally stunning pearls, Jeremy. What sizes?

 

[laurenb]

Breathtaking-- thank you so much for showing us. If the client is amenable, please let us know which direction you go with the clasp design.

For fun, perhaps designers here could elaborate on what sprang into their minds when they read the part about the clasp search. I really admire square/rectangular clasps alongside round, exceptionally fine pearls, so I envisioned something like this brooch, but no taller than the pearls on the end.

 

[jshepherd]

Natalie is out so I had to shoot the strand myself. I am not a photographer, I know It is nearly impossible for me to capture the real look of the strand in the office. I should have taken it outside to shoot.

The customer took the strand with her yesterday. She is going to wear it with the temporary clasp until we can find the perfect one. When it is done, I am going to get some real shots of the piece.

The 55 mo is actually 26.55 momme - the weight of the strand. The size was 12-13.3 mm.

 

[pattye]

Spectacular!! Thanks, Jeremy!

 

[john675]

Truly appreciate you sharing these photos with us, Jeremy. They are lovely, lovely pearls. Sigh...

 

[Johanna]

The most amazing luster I have seen on South Sea pearls. Truly a lucky lady.

Thanks for sharing, and I do like your standard lobster claw clasp with diamonds. It's pretty and would be easy to use.

Look forward to seeing the piece with the more exotic clasp you seek.

 

[Hanaleimom]

month vs. momme.

 

[Pearly Shell]

Truly breath-taking! I can't wait to see what you do for a custom clasp!!
Thanks for sharing,

 

[Nerida]

Jeremy, that is spectacular... just beautiful. Thank you for the photos, and more, please!!

 

[kelluvpearls]

Maybe a clasp from Paspaley, and/or a clasp that can also be used as a centre piece pendant.

 

[pearlescence]

I can see where the idea of a fancy clasp is coming from, but no clasp should detract from those stunning pearls.
the most simple and modest (but VERY secure) would be my choice. But it can be a one-off. just not competing in the wow stakes.
I would not include diamonds. Just plain metal - either white gold or silver, which ever looked best against the pearls
I'm suspecting that the changing of the clasps was in part just cos you each wanted to string these?!

 

[Hanaleimom]

I like the clasp shown in the first photo. I usually go for simple and secure clasp because it's usually hidden unless I have my hair up. I do like fancy clasp (works better with short hair) only if it can also be worn in the front. It's a matter of personal taste and probably the customer's wish. Nevertheless, it's one of a kind and beautiful by itself.

 

[SteveM]

The pearls are Paspaley RD1, T/N1

Will look forward to Natalie's shot, an opportunity to view perfection is not to be wasted.

Regarding Paspaley's nomenclature RD1 seems pretty obvious (best quality round) but T/N?

 

[jshepherd]

Will look forward to Natalie's shot, an opportunity to view perfection is not to be wasted.

Regarding Paspaley's nomenclature RD1 seems pretty obvious (best quality round) but T/N?

This refers to orient and luster, or the tightness of the nacre as they call it. One is the highest level. The 17.5 mm, straight-size strand we made a few years ago was a Paspaley RD1 T/N2. That was the best possible quality available at that time.

 

[pattye]

Hi Jeremy,

'Nuther question re "T/N1" is that evaluated under magnification, or with the naked eye?