[pearllove]

After about 12 months of research on the Pearl-Guide and the various on-line vendors, I have finally ordered my dream akoya pearl set. I ordered an 18 in. 9-9.5mm Hanadama strand , 9-9.5mm AAA bracelet, and AAA 9-9.5mm earrings. I want to thank the members of Pearl-Guide for all the useful information and advice. I just wish I had found this site last March. This set is actually a do-over for a set I purchased from American Pearl in March 2006 for my 10th wedding anniversary. I bought a full set of AP's 8-8.5mm AAA pearls (necklace, bracelet, and earrings) along with other items. I bought them because AP stated on its website that its AAA was same as Mikimoto's AAA at about 1/10th of the price. However, after reading Pearl-Guide, I learned that Mikimoto's AAA pearls are Hanadamas. I was heart-broken and regretted not purchasing the Hanadamas. Fortunately for me, my husband is giving me this new set for Christmas, so my story has a happy ending. (Just the story ends as I see in my future many more pearl purchases. )

On a side note, I found some confusing information on the AP website regarding Hanadamas. It states, "In order for a Japanese Akoya cultured pearl necklace to be graded as a Hanadama necklace it must have a strong rose color..." and "American Pearl's Hanadama pearls are similar in all characteristics to a AAA quality pearl except for the strong pink bodycolor of the pearl." I know that the first statement is incorrect, but does anyone have any comments about the second statement. Are Mikimoto's AAA pearls Hanadamas with pink body color???

Thanks again,
pearllove

[jshepherd]

Hi Pearllove,

Yes, Mikimoto's pearls are Hanadama. They actually say this on their company Web site.

I am glad you got the pearls were your looking/hoping for. That sounds like a big set of pearls.

Comments regarding the rose coloration of Hanadama:

Unfortunately the comment about the coloration is misinformation as well. Color is not a hanadama grading factor although someone may 'assume' it is based on the name 'hana' dama. Hana means flower. But rose is a color associated with flowers in the West. In Japan white is the color associated with flowers. Hanadama is all about quality - that is all there is to it.

[Kevin Canning]

In order for a Japanese Akoya cultured pearl necklace to be graded as a Hanadama necklace it must have a strong rose color

Complete BS and just a sign of a struggling company that is having trouble adjusting to the realities of the present day pearl industry.

[pearllove]

Dear Jeremy and Kevin,
Thank you for the information/clarification.

Jeremy,
I just ordered some Freshadamas from PP and am excited to see them in person.

pearllove

[tanakarn1]

Originally Posted by pearllove

9-9.5mm Hanadama strand , 9-9.5mm AAA bracelet, and AAA 9-9.5mm earrings.

Hi pearllove,

What a big Akoya set! Would you mind post the photos of them?

Tanakarn

[pearllove]

I will post pictures as soon as I receive the pearls.

[KarenPetersonJewelry]

We are excited to see pictures of those beautiful pearls. I hope you enjoy them and wear them frequently.

[pearllove]

I received the pearls yesterday. The first thing I did was to compare the Hanadama strand to my AP AAA strand, which I did under indoor lighting. I wanted to compare the strands under sunlight, but its been raining or overcast the past few days including today. Anyway, under various indoor lighting (bathroom, dining room, by the kitchen window, etc.), I cannot tell much of a difference between the two strands. While TPO Hanadama strand is quite beautiful and the 9-9.5mm pearls look very rich (similar to SS pearls), I think my AAA pearls may actually be a bit more lusterous and less blemished. Needless to say, I'm a bit confused. I was hoping to see a great difference in the luster, orient and surface cleanness between the two strands.

My other concern is the size of the pearls. I am 5ft. tall and about 110lbs. (still trying to lose the baby weight ) and I am worried that the 9-9.5mm pearls may be too large for me. I would appreciate any advice. I was hoping to close my journey for Hanadama pearls, but it has not worked out like I planned.

I will try to post some pictures this evening after I put my daughter to sleep.

[SpaceNeedle]

Originally Posted by pearllove

I
My other concern is the size of the pearls. I am 5ft. tall and about 110lbs. (still trying to lose the baby weight ) and I am worried that the 9-9.5mm pearls may be too large for me.

IMHO - this is more like personal preference. I'm 5' 4" 100lbs (finally lost the baby weight after 8 years) and I love large pearls. I tried on a 10-12 Tahitian pearls strand at a local jewelry store and I thought they looked perfect on me.

[Valeria101]

Sorry to hear about the confusing Akoya... 'guess that's what inconsistent grading practice does .

Are the freshwater ones in ?

[tanakarn1]

You could examine the pearls under strong light. The stronger and more direct light, the more lustrous the pearls will look. Hope, it may help.

IMOP, it is rare for big Akoya to have excellent luster. I do agree with SpaceNeedle : the size of pearls is personal preference. Anyway, smaller pearls with high luster may look better than bigger pearls with low luster.

Tanakarn

[pearllove]

Dear Valeria101,
I have ordered a 20in 7-8mm white Freshadama strand and matching 9mm earrings for my mom. I will hold off on ordering the pink Freshadama set until I see the ones for my mom. My fingers are crossed; I hope they live up to my expectations.

Dear SpaceNeedle,
Oh please don't tell me it's going to take me 8 years to lose all my baby weight!! Because of the weight gain, my neck is fatter and I'm self-conscious about it. I am afraid the larger pearls will make my neck look fatter and shorter.

[pearllove]

Dear tanakarn1,
Tonight, after I put my baby to bed, I will do as you suggested. I was hoping for some sun, but instead it is drizzling and unusually foggy here in Maryland.

[pearllove]

The quality of the photos are not that good. The darker photos are without flash and the lighter ones are with flash.

Hanadama and AAA strand:




The AP strand is more rose in overtone.

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


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?

[pearllove]

tanakarn1,

I did as you suggested and I cannot tell any difference in the luster between the Hanadama strand and the AAA strand. Although, the AAA strand has much less blemished pearls. In my examination the best pearls are the two AAA pearls on my AP earrings. Their luster is bright and mirror-like. If only I could have an 18in strand and 7in bracelet made up of those pearls.