There must other sources of nice freshwater pearls, well chosen akoya etc. Just not that I would know of beyond the dozen or so I heard of or shared already around here. And my locals would be of no use (far)...
There is a glitch with the akoya vs. freshwater choice ... in the top price range for freshwater, akoya of the same size would not be anything to write home about (unless to complain!). And the nice freshwater ones that also happen to be round, unblemished etc. are not very common at all. Not that you never see them anywhere, just not so many jewelry shops bother. You will have made a 'find' with a strand.
Not sure if anyone still goes around boasting
'my pearls are akoya' anymore. With some doubtful produce sold for not very much at all under the label (just go to Ebay and type 'akoya' then stand back for the flood of $.99 -ers!) ... wonder how much 'bling' there is to the name anymore.
Not that many would rather tell you
'these are freshwater pearls, you know'. And the same FleaBay exercise applies... unfortunately.
The conversation items of the pearl range seem to be elsewhere these days.
... for what the heck does that matter. Nice pearls are what they are, name or no name.
2c
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'Nough with that. Now for the real question!
What is your dress like? And how about the pearls? (short... long rope? definitely white? earrings??)
[PS: oups for the flood. 'Wedding' is quite the talk starter
]