[Valeria101]

Originally Posted by pearllove

Can you guys tell the difference between the Hanadama and the AAA?

Squinting really hard I'd dare say the larger ones also have more color (overtone, I assume).

Can't see any blemishes. Are there any?

Now...I am not sure how fair it is to compare the surface quality of pearls of substantially different size. Akoya are fairly unfamiliar: I'm thinking what it might take to 'match' a 11mm and a 20mm black pearl (i.e. one common larger size, one exceptional size) for color and quality

Obviously, no reasoning in the world will make your strands more different then they are.

The pictures look nice and so do the pearls. You could wear those guys together one wild pearl day!

PS: the smaller earrings look... uneasy. Why do I expect the overtone to apear ore focused then that? An expert should be able to tell something wise... I'm definitely not one. Just have my instinct.

Beautiful pearls!

[pattye]

Hi Pearllove,

Well, it is difficult to tell a whole lot from the photos. Did you receive the Hanadama certificate? I think the Hanadama strand should not be blemished, from the definition of Hanadama. Have you spoken with anyone about them besides us? I would enumerate the types and number of blemishes and speak with the owner, not just a customer service and sales person. Perhaps somehow the wrong strand was sent, even though the necklace appears to be of very high quality and correct size.

I somehow recall hearing somewhere here on the forum that the very highest gem quality tip top pearls are pulled off for the earrings--so it is possible that they would be even finer quality than the overall strand. Remember, they all are closely matched too.

Both necklaces seem very round and well matched for color. It appears to me that there is slightly more orient in the larger strand.

Please keep us informed---remember the Hanadama certificate is given the strand by the Japanese laboratory, not the store you purchased from.

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[Raisondetre]

I think it extremely hard to tell without seeing a close up re: blemishes. I do think that for larger pearls it is hard to compare the surface with pearls of a smaller size. I have the odd random ungraded freshwater pearl beat AAA ones but because they're of a different shape/size, the curvature is also different. Some of my rice pearls also have near mirror-like luster compared to my freshadamas. However, that is the exception rather than the rule. You can only make a full strand with enough matching pearls. The nacre thickness would not matter in freshwaters as it's all nacre. The best thing is to look up the Hanadama certificate and/or call up TPO with your concerns. Hanadamas are not completely unblemished - they are slightly blemished as it is not possible to grade it as unblemished by the lab. You need to compare it with AAA of the same size. In terms of overtone, I actually thought the larger pearls had a more noticeable rose overtone. Luster was excellent on all the pearls.

[tanakarn1]

Hi Pearllove,

Thank you for showing us your pearls. To me, the AAA & the hanadama look similar, but hanadama has a bit more overtone. You could look at the light reflections on the pearls and feel how sharp and intense they are. It would tell a difference in luster between the two pearls.

Originally Posted by Valeria101

I am not sure how fair it is to compare the surface quality of pearls of substantially different size

I agree. Since big Akoya (9mm+) are more rare than smaller one, I guess that the top line of smaller Akoya may be more beautiful than that of the big one (9.5 mm+). Do you guys think 7 mm hanadama would be more lustrous than the 9.5 mm hanadama? Any experts here?

Tanakarn

[pattye]

Please remember that Hanadama is also about nacre thickness, that is something we personally cannot measure. I would expect the 9.5mm to be just as pretty as the smaller pearls, after all, you are paying much more for the larger size pearl.

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[Valeria101]

Adding a question:

How popular are these certificates anyway? I mean, are there lots of Hanadama-worthy pearls that DO NOT get sent to be labeled by a lab at all?

For other pearls, lab reports are quite unusual... For many precious stones it's an emerging trend to 'get paper' and many stones with interesting pedigree still do not ever get into a lab. Wouldn't be surprised if it worked either way for top Akoya.

[pattye]

Hi Ana,

Well, there are some Hanadama quality pearls that aren't sent to a lab,
those are called Freshadama, Presidential, etc, (freshwaters).

I just reread the Forum section on Hanadama Akoya Pearls there in the left hand column in blue print. It basically says the pearls are measured by an objective standard for lustre, etc. Only half the strands submitted even receive the certificate. Of course, it means the strand can then command a premium price. So it is a big advantage to have the certificate for those Akoya lovers.

There probably are some Hanadama quality pearls on an AAA strand, I hope Jeremy will chime in here--since he has some first hand knowledge and so have some others who post here. For many people who don't have enough knowledge to trust their own judgement, it assures them that for enough $$$$ they are getting top of the line. Probably the same folk that swear by brand names too!

IMHO
Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[jerin]

AP's pearls on the earrings are the best I have ever seen. They are more lustrous and cleaner than any of the pearls on the Hanadama strand or the AP AAA strand. Their luster is truly mirror-like. Unfortunately, my husband (he took these pictures) was unable to capture their amazing luster.:

TPO's AAA 9-9.5mm and AP's AAA 8-8.0mm bracelets:



Can you guys tell the difference between the Hanadama and the AAA?[/quote]


Hi Pearllove,

what kind of blemishes would that be? Looking at the pictures, both strands look good, the bigger sized ones have fine overtones as well.
Please remember that Akoyas alwas are treated and the smaller AAA-grade strand could be a bit "overtreated" so that luster and the rose tone, which never comes naturally is even more enhanced or perhaps you are one of the lucky people, getting really top quality in both strands. If you got a Hanadama certificates I think the strand can´t be very much blemished, otherwise it would not come up to the criterion regarding the surface.

Both pairs of earrings are lovely, these pearls have usually the highest quality anyway.

If Your husband could take more close ups so we can see the blemishes, it would be very interesting, I just can´t imagine that a strand of that quality would be sold by TPO, having blemishes of that magnitude!

You mention the richness when looking at the strand - the longer you have it and wear it, the more you will appreciate it though, I think!

[pearllove]

Thank you everyone for your responses and suggestions. This evening I will have my husband take some closeups of the Hanadama and the AAA strands to show (hopefully) the luster, overtone and blemishes.

[pattye]

Hi again Pearllove,

What does your Hanadama certificate say? Can you take a photo of that?

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[pearllove]

Hi Pattye,

On the Hanadama certificate from the Pearl Science Laboratory of Japan, the strand is graded the best grade in the three areas tested (nacre depth, teri-value analysis and imperfection). This evening I will post a photo of the certificate.

pearllove

[pearllove]

My baby is down for her nap, so I thought I would try taking some pictures. Here are some additional pics of the two strands as well as a photo of the Hanadama certificate. It is still overcast here, so the pictures are not that clear. They were taken without flash.

[Valeria101]

Sun or no sun... those are magnificent!

Weere you thinking of returning the new ones ?

[Raisondetre]

The closeups are just a tad blurry for blemishes to be seen at all. I would say that the Hanadamas are better in terms of shape, equal in terms of luster, and my opinion on the overtone has not changed. The overtones show up better in the smaller pics posted previously. Without seeing the actual surface we really can't comment on the imperfections, but if it's been graded by the lab it cannot be disputed. As pearls are natural formations it cannot be absolutely blemish free. There is a lot more surface area on a 9-9.5 mm strand compared with a 7-8 mm strand. They are still magnificent pearls, and I do not think you can get any better quality than that for the same pearl type of this size. Comparing it with smaller pearls is rather unfair, but it does not change how you feel about it. If you are not happy with the purchase, TPO has a great return policy, no questions asked.

[pearllove]

Valeria101,
Thank you. They both have very good luster. I am not sure yet what I am going to do with the new ones. The more I look at them, the more I like them.

Raisondetre,
I am unable to take a good closeup of the pearls. When I zoom in for the closeup, the picture gets blurry. My husband was supposed to take some closeups of the blemishes last night as he is a better photographer, but he was just too tired from work.

I agree with you that it is unfair to compare the surface imperfections of the 9-9.5mm pearls to the 8-8.5mm ones. Both strands' pearls have imperfections, but because of the 9-9.5mm's larger surface area, I notice its flaws more. This is when I examine the strand up close. Worn around the neck, both strands look flawless due to their high luster.

I have already contacted Jon at the TPO and told him my initial impression of the Hanadama strand. He was very accommodating and told me that he would work with me whatever I decide to do. I'm glad about TPO's 60 day return policy, so that I can take the time to really examine the pearls and get PG members input about them.

Pearl obsessed and driving my poor husband nuts ,
pearllove