[Pearls_by_Angela_Carol]

Originally Posted by Tam

Hi Stephen,

Thanks for your reply, I saw a few sets that were AA+ that I liked. So AA+ is pretty much as good as AAA, right?


Thanks, Tammi

Tammi, it depends on what you mean by "as good". In terms of makeup - yes, they are both 100% nacre (as are all Freshwater pearls). However, the AAA grade will be round where the AA+ grade will not be as round. Also, the AAA grade will only have about 5% or less of the pearl with inclusions on the surface and the AA+ grade will have up to 10% of the surface with inclusions.

This is not to say that AA+ pearls are not good - they are. But there is a difference between the two. One that is noticeable. Personally I agree with Caitlin and would go for AAA Freshwater pearls. She is correct in that the prices are good right now and that they will do noting but increase in value over time.

As a business owner I have made a "personal" choice not to carry any Freshwater pearls other than AAA quality. The only exception to this is dyed black Freshwater. We have some AAA quality blacks, but most of the blacks are AA+ quality. In white, peach and lavender we only carry AAA grade.

[Tam]

Originally Posted by Pearls_by_Angela_Carol

Tammi, it depends on what you mean by "as good". In terms of makeup - yes, they are both 100% nacre (as are all Freshwater pearls). However, the AAA grade will be round where the AA+ grade will not be as round. Also, the AAA grade will only have about 5% or less of the pearl with inclusions on the surface and the AA+ grade will have up to 10% of the surface with inclusions.

This is not to say that AA+ pearls are not good - they are. But there is a difference between the two. One that is noticeable. Personally I agree with Caitlin and would go for AAA Freshwater pearls. She is correct in that the prices are good right now and that they will do noting but increase in value over time.

As a business owner I have made a "personal" choice not to carry any Freshwater pearls other than AAA quality. The only exception to this is dyed black Freshwater. We have some AAA quality blacks, but most of the blacks are AA+ quality. In white, peach and lavender we only carry AAA grade.

Stephen,


When I said "as good" I meant would they last as long as AAA grade freshwaters would. Thanks for all the advice you have given me.


Thanks, Tammi

[Flenser]

OK, so previously in this thread I bought my wife some 8-8.5mm white Akoya earrings, which she loves. Now it's time for the necklace.

From comments on this forum, it appears that freshwater pearls are now "it"?

Can I get freshwaters that will go with the Akoyas, or should I stick with the Akoyas?

Should I get the same size pearls for the necklace as I did for the earrings, or larger, or smaller?

As always, thanks for your help!

[jshepherd]

If you are trying to match the earrings, go for the Akoya. I would suggest either going for same size, or a bit smaller. Do not go larger.

You could get a top of the line freshwater that would look similar in shape and color, but the shine would not match.