[Also more blemishes then I was expecting, don't know why but I was expecting less blemishes then what im seeing. Maybe my expectations were set too high?
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Spherical Flower,
I am very picky also. I ordered the January special gem fresh necklace from PP. My observation of the gem fresh: no orientation and it is expected since it is not Freshadama; and even Freshadam does not have orient as the other posts stated. However, the pearls on the gem fresh necklace were almost flawless. They were not visible unless I twisted the pearls back and forth to look; and even so, there were very, very few tiny pits. A person standing next to me cannot see them unless he/she twisted my pearls with the intention of looking for imperfections. I am not sure about your strand having more flaws than you expected.
About the length, I get hot easily too and will not be comfortable if the pearls are too short. Can you measure the strand again? Maybe the stringer made a mistake? Your experience will guide me to measure my neck whenever I desire to order 16" just to be sure it drapes nicely and there is enough room. I think 18" is too long for me also, maybe 17" is a good length for some of us?