tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post8337301480570958342..comments2024-03-28T03:40:29.423-04:00Comments on Passage des Perles: Buying pearls, part oneDuchessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-70305752016821052462009-12-01T23:41:57.608-05:002009-12-01T23:41:57.608-05:00Sorry so late in replying! Off to Hong Kong I go! ...Sorry so late in replying! Off to Hong Kong I go! I like the "pond scum" pearls you pictured! We'll see if I get overwhelmed and give up. Sure do like the uneveness of the baroques and cheaper freshwaters. What a great tutorial and thank you so much!! KarenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-79191203691989213282009-11-16T13:56:24.564-05:002009-11-16T13:56:24.564-05:00Nancy: Thank you! Looked at Mary Long's site a...Nancy: Thank you! Looked at Mary Long's site and found the "Sweet Spot" info very useful. <br /><br />Most of her designs are faux pearl, so she can make up any length. If buying finished genuine pearls, one is usually confined to the standard 16, 18, and 20-inch and longer lengths. If buying temporary strands, you can have the finished piece made to the most flattering length, given enough material. <br /><br />Besides neck proportion, you will also want to consider what clothes you will wear the pearls with, and whether you want to wear them more formally. (The longer the necklace, the more formally you can wear them.)Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-26214081312316231472009-11-16T13:52:34.654-05:002009-11-16T13:52:34.654-05:00What a wonderful, informative post. I would like t...What a wonderful, informative post. I would like to add that along with pearl size, one should consider the length of the strand of pearls. A 'standard' 18" strand hits me in the most unflattering place, as my neck is slender. I have also seen the opposite; an 18" strand on a much larger neck. Both are unflattering. I have my strands custom-sized by Mary, of http://www.marylogingdesigns.com/marylogingdesigns.html and it truly makes a difference. Thanks again for sharing!Nancyhttp://styleconfident.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-28324413345301774722009-11-16T13:23:13.396-05:002009-11-16T13:23:13.396-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03084706525892258050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-87721717496236046962009-11-14T00:06:05.989-05:002009-11-14T00:06:05.989-05:00Lovely! Thank you so much. This is wonderful res...Lovely! Thank you so much. This is wonderful research and could be published somewhere. There's nothing like a pearl. I don't have many, but I treasure the ones I have.sallymandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15832828827048897372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-24022472995005451142009-11-12T14:11:28.375-05:002009-11-12T14:11:28.375-05:00I love your pearl posts and there is so much wonde...I love your pearl posts and there is so much wonderful information here. I am still toying over what I want, although I suppose when I see it I will know. I do know the smaller pearls given to me at a much younger age seem too young now.Mardelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04850551308931710502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-84419531508651462682009-11-11T07:57:29.750-05:002009-11-11T07:57:29.750-05:00Belle: I know you wear (and carry) some beautiful ...Belle: I know you wear (and carry) some beautiful pearls, Belle! If you source some big baroque CFWs please let me know. <br /><br />Wendy: Hope you post those when you've made them!<br /><br />materfamilias: This could be a reason to visit LA, grab Pseu and visit Priceless Imperfection (Zara Scoville).<br /><br />lordfam: Please note my opinion is smaller sizes are OK in multiple strands. But it might be time for a new necklace :)<br /><br />s. It's a pleasure, as I love pearls.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-49550320619735751772009-11-11T02:13:15.615-05:002009-11-11T02:13:15.615-05:00Great pearls of wisdom..I have 3 strands of 7mm wh...Great pearls of wisdom..I have 3 strands of 7mm which I layer or wear the longest with a diamond enhancer...I feel somewhat dowdy now as I am a larger gal with smaller pearls. I guess I need bigger pearls or a diet!hostess of the humble bungalowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06453827257671312902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-48807733918204047252009-11-10T23:28:13.254-05:002009-11-10T23:28:13.254-05:00I suppose it wouldn't be very subtle to copy t...I suppose it wouldn't be very subtle to copy this out for Pater . . . but I'd trade subtlety for efficacy. . .materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-70961491886738371682009-11-10T22:53:23.300-05:002009-11-10T22:53:23.300-05:00Good God! Thank you for reminding me that I've...Good God! Thank you for reminding me that I've been meaning to look for pearls for custom cufflinks FOR WEEKS! Writing a note to myself now.WendyBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00985099019783464580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-25896836816164339112009-11-10T22:49:15.711-05:002009-11-10T22:49:15.711-05:00Duchesse: you are truly generous to educate us as ...Duchesse: you are truly generous to educate us as you do. Thank you!s.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04741062569246094417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-13551893330760660762009-11-10T20:49:47.244-05:002009-11-10T20:49:47.244-05:00What a wonderful and informative post. The more in...What a wonderful and informative post. The more informed buyers are the better choices they will make, when buying pearls, whether Chinese, Japanese, Tahitian, South Sea, American Freshwater or Natural.<br /><br />I love pearls and wear baroque CFPs for casual events and big honking South Sea strands for important events. I tend not to wear Tahitians because the darker pearls aren't flattering to my coloring. I also stay away from dyed or treated pearls.<br /><br />I am very impressed with the quality of Chinese pearls and I have never understood how Mikimoto could get away with charging such high prices for their AAA Akoya strands when I can make a 6.5-7mm AAA Akoya necklace for about $1000.Belle de Villehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14045827018848979761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-55731703103409163542009-11-10T18:18:10.160-05:002009-11-10T18:18:10.160-05:00Mary: Thanks; I'm not entirely surprised to he...Mary: Thanks; I'm not entirely surprised to hear some of the brights fade, especially with so much lower end material out there.<br /><br />Pearl Prof: Thank you for reading and commenting!Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-89601415150009597712009-11-10T17:57:00.160-05:002009-11-10T17:57:00.160-05:00Duchesse, you've written a very informative, e...Duchesse, you've written a very informative, easy to understand post on pearls. The world of pearls can be so confusing and full of misinformation and untruths. Your post will help enlighten your readers. A note from my professional experience - as a GIA Graduate Gemologist, GIA Pearl Graduate and a jewelry designer, I do see fading in many dyed FW pearls. This of course is more prevalent in the brilliant colors but can occur in the pastels also. I look forward to your next post on pearls!Mary Loginghttp://www.marylogingdesigns.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-1069063503742597882009-11-10T17:04:52.311-05:002009-11-10T17:04:52.311-05:00Great post. Very thorough.Great post. Very thorough.The Pearl Professorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02037330464912300202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-28884484073786325592009-11-10T15:41:43.324-05:002009-11-10T15:41:43.324-05:00Thanks: a feast for the mind and for the eye.Thanks: a feast for the mind and for the eye.Frugal Scholarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12696815672500452503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-57446420511640477882009-11-10T13:20:31.637-05:002009-11-10T13:20:31.637-05:00LPC: Something about pearls, they do have stories....LPC: Something about pearls, they do have stories. Since they aren't farmed in India, the ones I bought there are likely Thai or Chinese. Wish I'd bought more, as the one multistrand piece I got, I gave as a gift. Pearls and diamonds and gold, a classically beautiful combination.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-43851483681334656632009-11-10T10:49:38.540-05:002009-11-10T10:49:38.540-05:00Oh the stories of pearls. The pearls for the the 2...Oh the stories of pearls. The pearls for the the 21st birthday, those purchased in India, the new ones...I have to say though I believe the ones I wear now are 8.5mm. They feel large enough, but then I am fairly small. I love them...oh, and pearls and diamonds TOGETHER are my favorites.LPChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209861350905135093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-46420059053162383712009-11-10T10:11:09.018-05:002009-11-10T10:11:09.018-05:00What a Splurge: Yes; I prefer other types of pearl...What a Splurge: Yes; I prefer other types of pearls, and orient with a soft glow to a mirror-like surface.<br /><br />If you like Akoyas (many do), Mikimoto's AAA-graded top-quailty pearls will show amazing lustre and perfect match. An 18-inch 7.5 mm strand will cost over $10,000. You are paying a premium for the brand, like a Tiffany diamond. <br /><br />Their "Blue Lagoon" and "Sea Magic" brands are less, as are the pearls they supply for the "Gordon's Classic" (sold at Gordon jewelers) and Zales' Signature Collection, but the quality is less, too. After looking at Mikimoto, I would go to Peal Paradise and check their "hanadama" line.<br /><br />Mikimoto also carry Tahitians and South Sea pearls. Gorgeous pearls, again, tippy top prices.<br /><br />Pseu: Zara does not have a storefront but can certainly meet with you, you lucky Pseu! Contact her via her web site, www.pricelessimperfection.comDuchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-65519495694633763402009-11-10T09:36:13.311-05:002009-11-10T09:36:13.311-05:00"Akoyas (the classic Japanese white pearl) ar..."Akoyas (the classic Japanese white pearl) are too conventional to raise my pulse."<br /><br />I'm a new student to this subject. Would Mikimoto be in this category?Sevenbeadshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17408190872701308055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-73379165616920339202009-11-10T09:04:42.073-05:002009-11-10T09:04:42.073-05:00Duchesse, this is such great information! I'v...Duchesse, this is such great information! I've still had a hankering for those Zara Scofield pearls you posted a few months ago, and still want to go visit her shop. I'll take notes from this and subsequent posts with me when I go pearl shopping now.Susan Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16005855250089328310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-30264863023503330052009-11-10T08:32:14.236-05:002009-11-10T08:32:14.236-05:00Patricia: Thanks for your enthusiasm and support; ...Patricia: Thanks for your enthusiasm and support; three days is all I can manage given the rest of life!<br /><br />metscan: Oh, wish I could see your necklace, sounds magnificent.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-64903704774347683152009-11-10T08:16:59.383-05:002009-11-10T08:16:59.383-05:00As Patricia, I have wondered the same thing, but q...As Patricia, I have wondered the same thing, but quality always comes before quantity! Speaking about pearls, I received ( chose it myself though ) as an anniversary gift a perfect round multicolor ( grey,white and yellow ) Tahiti and South sea pearl necklace 16.0mm-17.2mm. Needless to say- I´m still in love with it ! Thanks so much for this pearl post!mettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13732534795009852825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-60965817370161973842009-11-10T07:46:39.621-05:002009-11-10T07:46:39.621-05:00Duchesse, I've noticed that you continue to po...Duchesse, I've noticed that you continue to post 'only' three days a week, as during the summer. I had been hoping that you would return to daily posting, but I've realised that your posts are now even more informative and must require a great deal of research. Bravo and thanks!Patricianoreply@blogger.com