Where can you get natural pearls?

[bluelotus777]

For all of you who own natural pearls, where did you purchase them? I know about karipearls.com, is there any other online source of natural pearls?
Visiting Bahrain is not an option at the moment.

 

[pearlescence]

What type of naturals?

 

[pattye]

Pearl Paradise carries some and so does Kojima Pearl~both have connections if you are looking for something specific. Those are 2 that come to mind right off. Also Jeremy Norris, his primary focus is naturals; he's a member here, but doesn't post often.

 

[bluelotus777]

I am looking for natural saltwater pearls, as far as I understand, that means normally Bahrain pearls. I did check Kojima pearl, however, she seems to sell only single pearls and I am looking for a strand of pearls or a necklace/bracelet. Loose pearls would be fine as well, as long as they are drilled and in a size of around 3-4mm. Pearl Paradise also does not seem to carry that type. How can I contact Jeremy Norris?

 

[KarinK]

If you seach the forum for 'Dubai' you will find the story if how one of the members found THE place for natural saltwater pearls in Dubai - complete with contact information.

- Karin

 

[jshepherd]

You can also reach Jeremy Norris from here.
https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/member.php?u=100

 

[Bodecia]

Hello bluelotus777,

I sell natural Basra Pearls and have some listed at the moment on my eBay site. I also have 3 more necklaces which I will be listing in about a week. Just re-threading them at the moment.


Dawn - Bodecia
http://www.ebay.com/sch/dawncee333/m.html
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 and natural pearl collector and all round pearl lover.

 

[GemGeek]

Be sure to only purchase natural pearls from a seller who has a report from from a top lab like GIA, AGL Guebelin or SSEF. Or get a guarantee that you can return them for a full refund if they don't pass -- and then test them right away. Even the best sellers can be mislead by their sources.

 

[bluelotus777]

Thank you all for your advice. Karin, I cannot seem to find the thread about the pearl dealer in Dubai, do you have the link? In terms of testing them when you buy them without a certificate - is the testing really 100% reliable?

 

[Bodecia]

Hello bluelotus777,

This is a hard one and I don't think people want to answer it but here goes for what it is worth.

Testing should be 100% reliable but about 3 or so years ago it was found there was a problem for testing as fraudsters had been inserting small natural or round keshi pearls into oysters and culturing them. Once cultured and when tested via X-rays the pearls were believed to be totally natural because they were all nacre. I believe those strands or necklaces were very expensive, same as the cost of top quality true naturals. But I am sure the experts in the technology could answer it better than I.

It didn't worry me because I only deal with antique and vintage natural pearls so could not be taken in. But anyone buying new natural pearl necklaces were scared and I guess for good reason.

If they had been declared for what they were and priced accordingly they could in my opinion been a asset but as they were not disclosing it was fraud and the prices were way too high.

But on the whole in my opinion testing is almost fool proof and the industry is now aware of the fraud and it is looked for.

I plan on having some of the round Basra pearl necklaces we are restringing tested but will probably list them as soon as they are ready at a lower price. But when Basra pearls are off round, baroques and in many cases slight oval because of wear I really feel that I can list them with 100% accuracy as they scream Basra. I always give a total money back including postage guarantee on all of my naturals. I have sold several Basra pearl necklaces and am always on the search for them. I sold two to one Indian lady from Canada and she was very happy. She needed them to be very, very long to go with her Sari so I had to use 3 to 4 strands to get the length and because I always remove any pearl damaged or worn etc. I should think she will get them tested one day if she has not already but she wanted to buy from me because of the trust she had in me as she had bought many pieces of other jewellery from my eBay site.

I realise eBay scares many buyers but it is safe if you are careful and you can always get your money back from PayPal (via the seller) if one has been cheated.

I now do not sell privately because it gives the buyer and myself safety which I discovered is not always the case when an item is sold privately. Saying that if I have a good, longstanding relationship with a buyer then I probably would sell privately. An item on eBay must be what is stated for the buyer and for the seller, well we are protected from buyers who scam. Of course the seller should have a good name and above all not be a fly by nighter.


Dawn - Bodecia
http://www.ebay.com/sch/dawncee333/m.html
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 Natural pearl collector & seller. And all round pearl lover.

 

[Bodecia]

Hi GemGeek,

As you may know I have no certificates at this time but I do give full guarantees for all of my natural pearls and not just the length of time a buyer is protected by eBay and PayPal. I keep all my photos and if an item has not been messed with would give a buyer there money back regardless of the time. No time limit on guarantees. That is the only way to keep my good name.

Yes, honest mistakes can be made and buyers should always get that guarantee if no certificate is offered and do check the seller out regardless of how they sell i.e. online, eBay, antique shops etc.

Dawn - Bodecia
http://www.ebay.com/sch/dawncee333/m.html
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 Natural pearl collector & seller. And all round pearl lover.

 

[GemGeek]

I know you have always been very careful. Your guarantee would certainly give me confidence to purchase, but if it was a big purchase, I would have them tested, because I am a worrier.

 

[Caitlin]

I want to vouch for Dawn's honesty. I have bought more from her then I care to admit. Our emails must use a gb on my computer. And yes, once I bought a pearl Dawn and I both thought was real and I paid a high price for it. but it was not real and once I realized that, almost a year later, I contacted Dawn and she made it right. Discerning by eye has its limits and I will say I think Dawn has improved her accuracy to almost 100%. And as I said, if she is wrong, she will bend over backwards to fix it.

I have publicly and privately urged her to find a way to certify her stuff to be able to get the true value price. As it is, you can get a real bargain, probably the only place on the net, ebay included, where there is a large collection of natural pearls for those who have the confidence to buy uncertified. Dawn is an ebay shopper extraordinaire with tricks up her sleeve for finding stuff it takes a decade to learn. She has shared many of them with me and this forum. She will shop for you, if you ask or send you links for things she is passing on, if you ask.

I also like her non-pearl designs- like that emerald necklace. I have her listed as a favorite ebay buyer and get reminders to look at her collection, which I do, at least monthly. I practically always want something and it has been almost 2 years since I questioned one of her naturals by which I mean to say she has more than paid the price for acquiring her eye. You will notice some stunning akoyas on her site from when she was learning to tell akoyas from naturals, though those are mostly sold now. Dawn is a great source for old akoyas that look natural. I don't think she buys those any more, so scoop up the ones she did buy, for they are also superb.

Thumbs up on this eBay seller.

 

[Caitlin]

I just wanted to record this this item of Dawn's over here. It is so unusual to see in this time and place. The raw uncut diamond, the rough pearls. This is the kind of piece that gets me wanting to buy from Dawn. I can't buy right now as my computer difficulties have wrecked my time, life and budget, but I hope someone scoops this precious, dear item up!!!!

 

[GemGeek]

Wow, that is an outstanding piece! My house has consumed all discretionary income, or I'd be right over to pick it up. It's nice to hear such a great testimonial for Dawn. Thanks, Caitlin.

 

[lisa c]

That's a lovely endorsement, Caitlin, especially I'm impressed by the hard won years of experience aspect you mentioned. The discernment - guess there's no other way to put it.

I look at photos and aside from yours, or museum/royalty pieces, I end up thinking "Geez, how can they tell? What tips them off that the irregular pearls aren't Biwa?" I feel especially uncertain of what I'm supposed to be seeing when the color isn't that luminous-sunlit sort of inner glow. Hats off.

She's on my eBay favorites list also. It's Routine Torture, like the current seed pearl necklace with the turquoise clasp.

 

[Marianne]

Hi Lisa, I think seeing and handling many pearls of all types hones one's discernment skills

 

[lisa c]

Hi Marianne, I imagine so. It's one of the reasons I was so looking fwd to attending Ruckus last year, but plans/life unraveled. I'm building up the Ruckus fund again, and just won an HP Envy on eBay, so maybe I'll be seeing the photos better and be able to figure out what I should be seeing.

 

[Marianne]

I would suggest wandering around the fine jewelry counters at large department stores. Ask to look at their tahitian strands.. handle them... bring your loupe... try em on Also there should be some trade shows in your area. OK, just looked it up and YOU are in luck! http://www.intergem.com/shows/upcoming-shows/pittsburgh-pa-october-11-13. Go, Lisa go!!! Head on over and run your fingers through the pearls till you get blisters and your eyes go buggy Have fun!

 

[lisa c]

Marianne, thank you!!!! I can't believe the good luck! I hope I - oh, I hope Trade doesn't mean I have to be a merchant to get in. I'll check it out. My neighbor across the street might have a resale license...

(Sheesh, my eyes've already gone buggy - I thought I read 'trade show' in the title!

Well, I've already emailed and received an admission discount coupon. Yea!!! Now I have to use our search bar to re-read any posts we might have, look for recommended booths...)