tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post1393855255683979656..comments2024-03-28T03:40:29.423-04:00Comments on Passage des Perles: Pearls: Big loveDuchessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-8110790212311665652011-02-18T01:38:58.295-05:002011-02-18T01:38:58.295-05:00I appreciate your taking time to respond to all my...I appreciate your taking time to respond to all my questions. Thank you very much.Russian Chichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13129967951088979068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-53314066257007959882011-02-16T16:38:58.756-05:002011-02-16T16:38:58.756-05:00Russian Chic: Do you know about "pearl shrink...Russian Chic: Do you know about "pearl shrink"? it is like diamond shrink, you think it is SO big when you buy it and a few years later, it looks so much smaller. That is one reason I advise 9mm and up. With your longer neck and definite shoulders, you could carry 9mm but if you prefer 8.5, by all means buy what you are comfortable with.<br /><br />Large size will not limit wearability (unless they are absolutely immense,17-20mm clonks.) It's more the shape that limits:<br />baroque, oval, drop or off-rounds look more casual than perfect rounds.<br /><br />As for length, you're lucky, you can wear any length- but I'd avoid the extremes for a first necklace, the tight choker (one day you might have to add pearls and a match is very tricky) or the waist-length rope, which is heavy (and costly.) <br /><br />Here is a nice description of length:<br />http://www.shecypearljewelry.com/pearl-guide/pearl-jewelry-necklace.html<br /><br />Earrings: same size as the strand or slightly larger. <br /><br />You're right to want to do it once and enjoy your choice. Check the return policy; the vendors I feature have good ones so if you decide on another length you can exchange for a period of several months! They will also talk with you before you order- as should ANY vendor. <br /><br />But at the same time, don't be too worried as most choices are not irreversible- you can restring too short lengths with other beads or make a bracelet from a too-long rope.<br /><br />Finally, make sure the clasp is one you like, and solid. Some clasps have tiny additional security clasps for extra "insurance".Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-37829672504263219012011-02-16T15:35:59.644-05:002011-02-16T15:35:59.644-05:00This is amazing information!
May I ask if there ar...This is amazing information!<br />May I ask if there are rules regarding the lengths of the pearl strand?<br />I have a longer neck, broad shoulders and small chest. I am also petite 5’4” What pearl strand length would be more flattering for me?<br />Is there an exception of the min. 9mm rule? It seems just a little too large for a small-framed person as myself. Could larger size also limit versatility=wear ability of the piece? Once a strand is selected, how to select an appropriate pearl earrings? (though I seem to never wear a pearl strand and pearl earrings together)<br />To summarize my question: how to buy it once and buy it right so that there is no need to upgrade it again in the future? Thank you very much.Russian Chichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13129967951088979068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-41750309276540770082011-02-15T08:31:44.500-05:002011-02-15T08:31:44.500-05:00Anonymous: See www.ninadesigns.com for a variety o...Anonymous: See www.ninadesigns.com for a variety of clasps.<br /><br />So happy you like the Kojima pearls!<br /><br />Do you know Catherine Cardellini? (www.catherinecardellinipearls.com)? She is in Australia. I prefer knotted- she uses mostly spacer beads-but you could restring her pearls too.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-63185271780439643202011-02-14T20:37:56.980-05:002011-02-14T20:37:56.980-05:00Thank you for your fabulous post. On your recommen...Thank you for your fabulous post. On your recommendation I purchased a bullet pearl strand from Kojima Pearl. They are just lovely and much admired. I had them restrung but had trouble sourcing a suitable clasp. Any tips for clasps would be appreciated. I live in Australia and recently purchased from Freshwater pearls. Was very disappointed as the pearls looked like beads and I returned them. Best wishes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-77769243916954111152011-02-14T15:43:14.678-05:002011-02-14T15:43:14.678-05:00Jill Ann: Sorry for typos, that is "jeune fil...Jill Ann: Sorry for typos, that is "jeune fille".Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-44404027629392088322011-02-14T15:42:35.871-05:002011-02-14T15:42:35.871-05:00Jill Ann: I think some women worry about precisely...Jill Ann: I think some women worry about precisely this, that pearls make them look too girlish, too "jeune file". That is only when the pearl is too small or too tight (many of our necks are, ah, fleshier as we age). That's why I say, go to 9mm and up. And this young woman sounds very polished. There is a way to wear pearls at any age. <br /><br />(I have also seen some young women in larger pearls, and they can wear those too. But mature women do not suit small pearl necklaces.)Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-46393711206299667692011-02-14T13:55:48.785-05:002011-02-14T13:55:48.785-05:00For anyone worried about pearls being aging: two ...For anyone worried about pearls being aging: two years ago on a trip to Paris, we had lunch with a business associate of my husband's (a German/Luxembourger guy) and he brought his 20 year old daughter, who was studying in Paris. She wore jeans, a white shirt with a spring green cardigan, a scarf, and pearl stud earrings. She looked young, fashionable, and adorable. My teenage girls were very impressed by her style (and multi-lingual skills!) I do doubt that American 20 year olds would dress like that, however. (Too bad.)Jill Annnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-8163684890647840842011-02-14T08:45:45.576-05:002011-02-14T08:45:45.576-05:00Imogen: Anyone traveling to a pearl area can resea...Imogen: Anyone traveling to a pearl area can research by reading (there is a lot on the net) or of course e-mail me. I've helped several friends traveling there; even a single pearl is the best souvenir!Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-34982032894331633112011-02-14T01:46:00.344-05:002011-02-14T01:46:00.344-05:00I really wished I had you with me when I was in th...I really wished I had you with me when I was in the Philippines last September as I had no idea which were the good pearls and which weren't, so I didn't buy any!Imogen Lamport, AICI CIPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16796095692232856223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-41119246548182993132011-02-11T15:43:58.816-05:002011-02-11T15:43:58.816-05:00Anon J.: Delighted to hear about your blues! If yo...Anon J.: Delighted to hear about your blues! If you look under the jewelry label, you will find posts on citrine, topaz, peridots- especially lovely in summer. <br /><br />I of course wear pearls then, see pearl post on March 18, 2010, "Pearls for the first spring days". See also "Great whites for Ruth" on Sept. 23, 2010. A SS pendant like the one shown would be a great summer look.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-51497865573899193312011-02-11T14:12:18.375-05:002011-02-11T14:12:18.375-05:00Duchesse,
Thank you for the another wonderful pea...Duchesse, <br />Thank you for the another wonderful pearl post. On your recommendation, I reseached and purcased a strand of blue akoyas around the holidays. They suit my taste which tends toward the "strict" or classic but still they look fresh. I would love to see what you would recommend for summer, not necessarily pearls, but maybe. Coral interests me as does light shades of blue lapis, glass or sea glass. I think I can find turquoise on my own or perhaps "light, airy pearl pendants. Summer is still a long, long time away here in New England but I need to look forward to it just now! <br />Thank you. Anon. JAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-2860671927252186942011-02-11T09:40:40.707-05:002011-02-11T09:40:40.707-05:00Paula: Oops, meant to type "undeniably" ...Paula: Oops, meant to type "undeniably" beautiful pearls. Also, look at the pearls on Gump's web site. These also command very high prices, but they are examples of the best and will train your eye: www.gumps.comDuchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-5175437518881310962011-02-11T09:38:20.864-05:002011-02-11T09:38:20.864-05:00Paula: You will pay the highest brand premium for ...Paula: You will pay the highest brand premium for Mikimoto. Their top of the line (they sell several levels) are undeniable beautiful pearls. They sell mostly akoyas and some Tahitians. Research akoyas first. My friend M. recommends Janes Pearl, 5th Floor, 14-8, Roppongi 7 Chome, Minato-Ku, Tokyo <br />106-0032. Always good to make an appointment first, and in doing so, no obligation to buy.<br /><br />Pearl prices have come way, way down since the days of Mrs Kennedy's fakes. Jackie Kennedy had various pearl necklaces, many genuine. The fakes were a bit of theatre; the general population likes a touch of "real folks". Mrs Kennedy had stunning fine jewelry, which she wore more often than fake pearls.<br /><br />I do not advocate wearing fake pearls unless you want a frankly funky/fun style that simply does not exist in genuine pearls or are traveling and don't want to risk loss. <br /><br />Some people claim their fake pearls are indistinguishable from real but 97% of the time, it is only b/c people who do not know what a real pearl looks like have told them so. <br /><br />But the main reason is, fakes have no soul! Real pearls are now within reach of any women who can afford a pair of mid-priced shoes or a good bag.<br /><br />Fuji: Irregular shapes always read as more casual but you can wear a strand of 9mm baroques with a dress or suit, too. South Seas are ballgown pearls.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-67036143360841353072011-02-11T06:08:39.216-05:002011-02-11T06:08:39.216-05:00Thank you for this introduction into pearls! I fee...Thank you for this introduction into pearls! I feel very flattered that you took your time and answered my question in an posting. Keishi is very good-looking to me. <br />The "imperfect shape" (hope I get this term right) is appealing.<br />The next time I visit Tokyo, I need to go INSIDE the Mikimoto buidling (last time I only took photos of the huge christmas tree in front of the building). You surely read about Jackie's fake pearls, sold for thousands of $. She wore the fake pearls back when she was the 1st lady, what makes me think fake is ok, too. Are pearls the new black? Swarovski (known for crystal) started with pearls. And women around 40, too.Paulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17842556959891396007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-23673386020818678152011-02-11T04:53:17.989-05:002011-02-11T04:53:17.989-05:00I have pearl lust after reading this post. I had ...I have pearl lust after reading this post. I had never associated irregular pearl shape as being more casual, but of course, they are. Thank you for making this observation as I can now happily hunt for pearls that will work for my casual lifestyle.Fujinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-67415083584210405582011-02-10T19:45:47.272-05:002011-02-10T19:45:47.272-05:00Delicious. Thanks for this delightful post.Delicious. Thanks for this delightful post.spacegeeknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-85047729602883014322011-02-10T18:34:31.774-05:002011-02-10T18:34:31.774-05:00Oh thank you, Duchesse. I just love love love your...Oh thank you, Duchesse. I just love love love your posts about pearls.rbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02994781041852886102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-3143312644753756532011-02-10T13:57:53.035-05:002011-02-10T13:57:53.035-05:00Mardel: CFW rounds that I've shown are perhaps...Mardel: CFW rounds that I've shown are perhaps affordable though once you get above 11.5mm you are pushing the envelope on size available in Chinese pearls. A woman who wants 15mm rounds is buying South Sea and Tahitians.<br /><br />LPC: You could definitely wear 9mm, IMO. Ask Belle to lend you a strand of her exquisite SSs and see what you think ;)<br /><br />Jean S: If they are doing good business (ads do not necessarily mean that) it is because buyers are taken with getting so much for so little. Except they are not. I saw that ad, no thank you!<br /><br />laurieann: It's the "chaste" (as Mardel called them) 6-7mm baby teeth pearls that are aging, as they evoke a girlish stage that has departed. Even 8mm is rather unprepossessing. A strand of pearls with presence is not aging, it's elegant. <br /><br />Pearls can also be very hip and casual- see Zara Scoville's pearls: www.pricelessimperfection.com<br /><br />Happy birthday!Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-90393214512726205982011-02-10T12:07:50.980-05:002011-02-10T12:07:50.980-05:00Oooh! I like the naturally colored pearls. Those ...Oooh! I like the naturally colored pearls. Those have me intrigued. I have shied away from wearing pearls as I have always thought they aged me. But I'm starting to think that a lovely pair, worn sans earrings, would make a sophisticated 50th birthday present for myself next month. I have new, shorter, bouncier haircut and one lovely piece around my neck would be a perfect, lush yet minimalist frame for my face.laurieannnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-11098455166223003002011-02-10T11:38:56.557-05:002011-02-10T11:38:56.557-05:00ironically, I just saw the Honora ad in today'...ironically, I just saw the Honora ad in today's NYTimes--something like 10 bracelets for $120. It's an eye-catching ad, so I'm sure they're doing a good business...Jean Snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-16530098144282677542011-02-10T11:09:02.250-05:002011-02-10T11:09:02.250-05:00I love pearls, I have pearls, I wear pearls. But b...I love pearls, I have pearls, I wear pearls. But bigger than 8mm feels like too much as I am not a terribly tall person, and already broad-shouldered. But some pink keishis would be very nice:).LPChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209861350905135093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-52196733154407317992011-02-10T10:01:38.327-05:002011-02-10T10:01:38.327-05:00Like coffeeaddict I didn't get the fuss about ...Like coffeeaddict I didn't get the fuss about pearls when I was younger, but I realize now that I just wasn't interested in small chaste pearls. I'd love big rounds but can't afford that price tag, and smaller rounds don't interest me. Irregular pearls, interesting colors, and more interesting strand are much more appealing. <br /><br />Those keshis are gorgeous and I've been drooling over the souffle pearls, wishing there was some way I could rationalize the purchase.Mardelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04850551308931710502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-1023520611854418602011-02-10T09:47:19.263-05:002011-02-10T09:47:19.263-05:00coffeeaddict: Appreciation for any gem is often li...coffeeaddict: Appreciation for any gem is often linked to quality. If you only "get" South Seas, I hope you will have an opportunity to see fine CFWs, Akoyas and Tahitians. So many pearls in mainstream jewelers are boring, with no overtones and poor nacre.<br /><br />Pseu: Why, thank you. The soufflés are tempting to me, too.<br /><br />roseblight: Because smaller than 8mm reads as girlish; I far prefer 9mm and up. Pearl prices (excepting South Seas and some very fine Tahitians and Akoyas) make larger sizes affordable.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-84227090220722000112011-02-10T09:28:13.009-05:002011-02-10T09:28:13.009-05:00I firmly believe that a grown woman's pearls s...<i>I firmly believe that a grown woman's pearls should be at least 9mm</i><br /><br />Forgive me, but - why?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com