Which strand should I get? (Urgent advice needed)

[GemGeek]

I'm late to the party, so all the great advice has been dispensed. I would have said to get the earrings at least the same size as the necklace, but best would be one size larger, so I agree with Pattye. And the other thing I would agree with is that for work, dangle pearl earrings are much better because of the phone. Otherwise, they will eventually work their way off of the posts. Even if they are smaller buttons, if you're on the phone a lot, it can happen.

I think the pearl lust happens the first time you see a really fine pearl that captures your heart. Suddenly, you start seeing pearls everywhere and appreciating them. I think you are going to have a lot of fun!

 

[Amrita]

I seem to be late too - but I agree that the top strand looks to be the best. 9 mm earrings on short simple loops which are a of a thicker wire that does not make them dangle but keeps them fixed and stable would be good for earrings at the workplace. They do not interfere or get affected by the phone, and they do not jiggle everytime you move your head, as that can get a bit distracting...

I think many on this forum can relate to your "love at sight" experience with pearls... Welcome to the gang!

 

[adidaem]

Thanks for your help and warm welcome everyone. Have written to ask for the top strand in 18 inches. Am now checking on matching earrings. For earring setting, am thinking simple for now, so sticking simple hooks (hey, lots of opportunities for other settings next time). Very excited and I hope the pearls that I want are still available.

Hope this will sooth my 'pearl itch' for a while.

 

[Katbran]

Well add me to the 'late to the party list' lol I too vote for the top strand....they look lovely. Please do post some photos when you get them !!

 

[adidaem]

Ok, quick updates, reserved the top strand and sorting thru payment and international shipping (erm, all via email so the process takes a while)... which means I could get my necklace by next week! Woot! Bad news is, there is no matching earrings. So much for all the angst about earring design choice...

Now worrying about ugly neck. How do you ladies take good neck shots? Via the mirror? Tips anyone?

 

[lambskin]

IMHO_Top row for me-best luster. Middle row looks slightly bigger but less luster. Bottom row nice luster but shape not uniform.

 

[GemGeek]

To get a good neck shot, I would put it on someone else's neck!!! Yes, use a mirror without flash and if you have loose skin, just lift your chin a bit. Ask me how I know....

 

[zengirl]

Pearl lust? Pearl itch? I can tell you a bit about that! Unfortunately... it never goes or calms down. I think about earrings, other strands, and bracelets pretty often, even though my first ever purchase of pearls was recent. It's a weird kind of addiction because there are so many types, sizes, colours, possibilities... and you just stat dreaming about having every single type you can get your hands on. And browsing and window shopping takes hours!!

Hmm, neck shot. Exactly. I did a neck shot that I thought was ok but the pearls were slightly out of focus, so I didn't post it. All the other shots were close-up and in focus, which was very bad for my skin! I suddenly transformed into a tortoise. Didn't think of putting my strand on someone else's neck. When my daughter next visits I'll ask her to wear it so I can photograph it - her neck is 20 years younger than mine! Amrita, you might finally get your neck shot.

 

[zengirl]

Oh P.S. I have a very, very long neck described by some as elegant but by my husband as tree trunk-like. However the 16" strand is fine. It's even 16" *including* the clasp. I like my pearls close and tight. When I bend forwards nothing clonks me in the face or gets in the way or goes in my food. The necklace stays firmly round my neck and goes where my neck goes. No dangling.

 

[Amrita]

Amrita, you might finally get your neck shot.

Great! I would like that very much!!

 

[adidaem]

Strand arrived in office today and colleagues were very thrilled. Shall try neck shots this weekend. Since I can't compare to a normal strand i have no idea how good the luster is... But colleagues assure me that it is fairly noticeable.

Find the strand a little smallish tho. Sigh. Been eyeing ssp n Tahiti pearls for the last hour. If there is a good online promo I am probably doomed... very unfaithful to my new necklace.

 

[adidaem]

Ok, pictures! Pardon my crappy photography skills.

Here's a shot of the pearls:


And on my stumpy neck... (pardon the PJs, was too lazy to change into a proper top )


So these are my metallic white FWP from PearlParadise. I started reading about freshadamas for my first 'daily wear' strand for office, but when I saw the pics some forum members posted of their metallic FWP I HAD to get one.

So I wrote in to ask to be on the wait list and PP happened to have 2 strands of the 8-8.5 mm available. Was very lucky to be able to get a strand. Thanks to Chenai for assisting.

Thoughts on the pearls (along with analysis by my colleagues since I received the pearls in office):
- Luster: Excellent (you can judge from the photos by the reflection on the shots...). A colleague held them in hand and declared that he can see the pearls 'glowing'.
- Roundness: Hmm... I expected rounder pearls. Actually once the pearls are worn I think the not-so-roundness is not noticeable but it is immediately obvious in the hand and caused me some degree of post-purchase dissonance at first. But caveat that I am just extremely sensitive to roundness in general (same problem I face with not-so-round diamonds).
- Size: I can use bigger pearls. Am already thinking of my next strand... discussed with my colleagues and this strand is very nice (wore the necklace immediately and the pearls were noticed by a few of my colleagues during a meeting before I told them that I just got the pearls via delivery), but based on my build (5'7") bigger ones would 'pop' better'.
- Length: I think 19" or 20" would be a more comfy length for my next strand. 18" is by no means uncomfortable, but just the look I guess. I'll use this on tops where the collar is close to the neck.

Since these are FWP I expect to get a lot of use out of them.

Thanks again to everyone who provided your suggestions and advice. I think I am going on to another 'pearl' project and hope to continue to get your advice.

 

[pattye]

adidaem,

Wonderful look on you, just beautiful! Congratulations! Perhaps, adding an enhancer would give you an optional "look." I got the smaller metallic strand, and that's how I'll be wearing it. (Mine is still in an unfinished state.)

 

[adidaem]

Thanks Pattye. Any online vendors you can recommend that stocks enhancers? Have the same idea and have been looking at loose baroque SSP but nothing that has caught my heart yet. Plus I have no idea who to go to in my part of the world to customise jewellery. Anyone from Singapore with a reliable jeweller to recommend?

By the way, I have started a new thread on one of my new pearl 'projects': https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6168
Grey pearls as mentioned earlier - information and suggestions very much appreciated.

 

[zengirl]

I think they look gorgeous. What about a more cream-coloured strand with larger pearls?

 

[Adeline Leigh]

Adidaem. I had to laugh about the PJ shot! I am with you on that one. Often I go shooting in my PJs and pray the reflection in the pearls' surfaces can't capture me in mine.

Those are lovely pearls from PP, congrats. As for the jeweller reccommendations, my mum and grandma used to go go a Hong Kong guy (no frills, not a boutique, a no frills jewellery repair shop on Level 2 or 3) in Far East Plaza that had great prices but I really don't know if he is still there. Any of the bigger chains or bespoke jewellers tend to charge a fair bit. I recently asked Choo Yi Lin for a ball park quote and it started at 3k?!?

I am toying to do my own little commission with neighbouring artisans in Thailand and/or Hong Kong. They are on Etsy. Look me up there and I will point you to them

Good luck and continue to do your show-and-tells.

 

[adidaem]

Zengirl: Am thinking of doing that, as in getting a larger strand - actually was inspired by your customised strand! But I had a look at SSP strands over the weekend and I realised that I don't really like cream colors that the larger FWP have. My coloring just doesn't support cream I am afraid (I can't wear beige and browns cos I look totally ill when I do). Am going to try on some el cheapo strands for size before making any commitment. My hubby thinks larger pearls are too over the top and mature.

Adeline: $3K??? [Shocked look] Prices in Singapore are just shocking and I am so discouraged when I walk into stores and see black tahitians with no overtones whatsoever in the display. I think the gorgeous pearls owned by the ladies in this forum have spoilt me for the common variety pearl. I promise my next shot will be more 'professional'! Hahaha. Lower neckline and not with PJs. [shy look] =P

 

[Adeline Leigh]

Fully agree. I spied in chi-chi Mon^$%# at Marina Bay Sands, a South Sea Pearl necklace that was going for $40,000. Ridiculous. Here in Singapore, woe is the unsuspecting and uneducated consumer

 

[Amanda]

They are really lovely pearls, and look very round to me in the photos. The length looks good on you too, I reckon.

 

[Amrita]

I like your pearls Adidaem! They look good on you! Congratulations!
And now for the bigger sized FWs - they also come in beautiful white with rose overtones....I think that would look good on you too! Go for it!