Ugliest pearl and jewellery competition.

I hope we're not limited to just ebay, because what I am going to show you stopped me in my tracks yesterday! These are truly UGLY pearls, one must enlarge the photos to get the full effect. I do LOVE this amazing artist's (Jill Evans Petzall) designs , and how she has the, em, vision to create these pearl items, well~~~~

http://www.etsy.com/listing/93952082/amazing-wild-natural-pearl-necklace-like (maybe this is what happens when pearls get burned???)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/115558997/baroque-peacock-colored-pearls-with (this one is not really even a runner up, but still ugly pearls.

http://www.etsy.com/transaction/111515190

These must be the pearl versions of "shabby chic" and worn by those who have some "good stuff" at home!!??? What a conversation piece!

Johanna, that IS a good example! Wish the photo was clearer.
 
Definetely not limited to ebay, to get the widest example of ugly jewellery they can be from anywhere. We have so many examples of beautiful pearls in this forum, I think it's good to have somewhere to see ugly pearls and other jewellery.

Unfortunately that was the only picture the seller had of the bracelet.

I kind of admire the jewellery makers who choose these ugly pearls and make something with them. I also noted that some of the items you linked to above have sold, there's no accounting for people's tastes.
 
I have some pearls similar. They are black and over-processed, very dry. They have a bunch of deep chips in them. I have made a few pieces out of them and given them away to adoring wearers. Depends on if you like funky. Just because they don't meet our extremely high expectations doesn't mean that people who like funky versions won't love them. Like jeans with holes and/or bleach marks are also beloved of this crowd. It is actually kind of Beat.

I came back to say, the seller is a beader. Beaders see beads everywhere, even where we see junk.
 
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How about this - it's only a tenner. Some of those tadpole pearls from a few years ago, over dyed to a dead black and then somehow it looks as if someone doodled a silver line around and around each one
processed.jpg
I have to confess I'm a little bit intregued by the pearls Pattye listed. Weird and with possibilities for unusualness
 
Actually, I've always liked the ones that are encased and then faceted, even though they're on the cheesy side. Hang on, though. I have some ugly coming right up!
 
I actually like the last of the three photos Pattye, I think I actually just ordered some similar, although much better quality , from another Etsy vendor. course having said this I may hate them when they arrive. Granted no one would ever call this type "fine pearls", but if they have an abundance of nacre and an interesting necklace design, can't see just stringing them plain. The strange color on those, is that what some bead suppliers / designers are calling "pond slime" ?
Sorry guys, so far none of these pearls even remotely look as bad as those three pitiful pearls on the spray painted chain! Still laughing when I think about that one. This thread is going to be fun. Gives me an excuse to cruise ebay this evening, now with a higher purpose. Cruising for ugly. :cool:


Daddys Little Pearl


Daddys Little Pearl
 
Won't win the prize, but these lime green sort-of- white pearls remind me of old metal costume jewelry that has the "greenies". Or maybe the pearls grew some algea? Some of them look like a slice was chopped off their sides.

here is the listing; here

Daddys Little Pearl
 
And if you really love the sort-of-green bracelet, consider this shocking lime green pearl necklace, here.

I actually do like the pearls on the ends of the tassel. Interesting, the seller says China is the only producer of freshwater pearls in the world? Gee I did not know that.

Daddys Little Pearl
 
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Zebra stripe pearls

Zebra stripe pearls

Wendy, I wonder if the black and white strand of yours falls in this category? Zebra stripe? Agree with you, "Weird and with possibilities for unusualness." Food for thought.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beautiful-2strs-11-19mm-very-luster-zebra-champagne-baroque-pearls-9379-/400369209085?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d37dd4efd

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Big-lot-5st...444?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27cf080384

These stripes are painted on, but I'm not certain they are on the back too. I'll go look again.

DLP, those green pearls are pretty funky! Many pearls (I'm not certain about all) are dyed after they have been drilled and strung, and the thread often takes the color more than the pearls.

Caitlin, you gave me a strand of those fun and funky black pearls! They are right there in my studio for inspiration where I can see them every day!

Johanna, I have some inexpensive faceted pearls. I think of them more as a bead, but if nicely faceted they do catch the light. They are mostly done with tissue nucleated pearls, so you still have a pearl that is virtually all nacre.
 
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I really love the description on the lime green bracelet 'Beautiful natural grain and hues'. In respect of the zebra striped pearls that Pattye has shown above, I do admire the fact that someone has sat down and thought what can we do to make these pearls saleable, I know lets spray paint them to make them look different.

I have seen some lovely carved pearls I think Sven sells some and they are very nice. Maybe if the black carved pearls were pink or white they might look more like a rose. I don't think the description of them helps either 'Snake skin pearls'. Maybe psychologically I am being put off them by the description. If so it just goes to show that the descriptions used by sellers can be so important. A poor / negative description of an item can make or prevent a sale. But that's another interesting topic.

Johanna perpetual student.
 
It has been fun perusing this thread...beauty is in the eye of the beholder, of course, and I am the proud owner of some pretty ugly pearls. Just spotted this one listed on ebay, and the expression "butt ugly" immediately came to mind, but I must admit it's starting to grow on me...butt pearl.jpg
 
Love it certainly is unique and a talking point. You woul get some funny looks wearing this:rolleyes:
 
la_corsetiere said:
It has been fun perusing this thread...beauty is in the eye of the beholder, of course, and I am the proud owner of some pretty ugly pearls. Just spotted this one listed on ebay, and the expression "butt ugly" immediately came to mind, but I must admit it's starting to grow on me...View attachment 20845
Click to expand...

This one could be "bust beautiful" too....:D Eh, Sheri?
 
Butt ugly or bust beautiful, it is a goodie in the ugly of uglies competition, isn't it?!
 
Not as ugly as this pearl ring:

victoria's secret

Yup that's supposed to be a big zit.
 
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