Where can you get natural pearls?

[Pearl Dreams]

Lisa, at the Intergem shows there is a section only open to merchants, but you can get into the main show.

Wear comfortable shoes and have fun!

It's been a few years since we attended a show, but at the time the loose pearls were all commercial grade freshwaters. Nicer items could be seen at the booths of vendors selling finished jewelry, though.

If you get your ticket stamped you can return the next day free of charge.

 

[Bodecia]

Thank you Caitlin and GemGeek,

Much appreciated the testimonial for me and for your remarks on the Natural Pearl pin. That one screams Basra doesn't it. The uncut diamond is just a little bonus in my opinion. I can appreciate them but never go crazy for diamonds like I do for natural pearls.

I can feel for you Caitlin because as I said in the Pipi pearl post my hard drive died too. Horror of horrors and money. Ugg.

Caitlin did you end up making a beautiful necklace out of the replacement pearls I sent you. Do show photos of it if so.

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

 

[Bodecia]

Marianne & Lisa,

You are right. Handling loads of natural pearls is the way to become familiar with them. But when I have bought from eBay they have been called cultured mostly and if they look right I take a gamble. It doesn't always work out and in fact most times they are cultured but I figure it is worth a punt when I can afford it. So if there is a chance a necklace might be natural I do smash a couple of pearls or more if necessary but two is generally enough. One should be but I like to make absolutely sure.

There is someone in the UK I have bought naturals from, quite a few. Not very large though. They are so hard to find at a price that I can make a profit on and that is from anywhere they might be lurking.

At the moment I am restring two strands and checking every drill hole to make sure even though I have done my smashing or bought as natural. Plus I go over and over every pearl for size and blemishes which I cannot accept. Not saying they can't have blemishes that is only normal, but I mean offensive blemishes that a customer would really not like.

So before long I will have at least 5 natural pearl necklaces to list but first I might send them off to get a certificate. At least 3 for a start anyway.

Have fun at the Intergem show.

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

 

[lisa c]

Thanks Marianne , Pearl Dreams and Dawn for the info and encouragement. Now I'll echo what a lot of posters have said "I wish I were going with someone experienced!" I'll also practice rolling strands and handling them like Jeremy did on his video, so I don't look as ignorant and naive as I am.

 

[Caitlin]

Hey Dawn
I do have a plan for some of the replacement pearls. I was even thinking of knotting them on video just because I never saw naturals knotted on YouTube, LOL. I am still messed up computer-wise and can't access my photos or video programs to upload. I am way behind in projects I want to do over here, let alone reading posts. But next week or so....fingers crossed.

I totally wish I could buy more natural pearls from you starting with that turban pin or whatever it is... Anyone know what it is? It is a beautifully designed object on its own...

 

[Isi]

http://www.paris-joaillerie.com/paris-joaillerie/tendance/les-perles-fines-de-claudie-ple.html

Claudie Pl? is the last natural pearls dealer in Paris.
You can still find wonders in her safe, depending on what you're looking for.
She sells loose pearls as well.

 

[bluelotus777]

In regards to Dawn and her experience with pearls, I believe nothing replaces years of seeing them and acquiring that "discerning eye" However, Dawn, do you use anything else besides the impression you get from seeing them to decide they are natural? Do you know the people you buy them from? I believe there must be many people out there who would try to sell cultured pearls as naturals, is the eye alone really good enough to see the difference?

 

[Pearl Dreams]

...is the eye alone really good enough to see the difference?

There is a fascinating account in Matlins' book, The Pearl Book: The Definitive Buying Guide (1996 edition) written by Maurice Shire, called "Shire on Recognizing Natural Pearls When You See Them."

He relates how frustrated he felt when an experienced dealer, who just by looking was able to pick out the natural pearls that were included in an otherwise cultured necklace, didn't "share the secret" of how he did it, telling him in essence that he would learn how through experience. Sure enough, a few years later, he was able to pick them out himself, just by being exposed to so many pearls.

So I do believe one can gain enough experience to recognize them just by looking.

 

[Caitlin]

In natural pearl circles, which operate independently from the public market, the dealers know what they are seeing. They are as good or better than the GIA, though that is changing through upgraded testing equipment. These dealers don't have time or money for certification, but they guarantee their products. Their have highly refined and sterling reputations, so they don't mess around. We had a guy on here who used to GIA certify the natural pearls he was buying, but at a certain point, he quit doing that and just started standing behind them. It took him a few years to get into those natural pearls circles and now we mass-produced pearl consumers never hear a peep about natural pearls for sale except at Bonham's and Christie's, now and then.