Tin cup pearls better than a full strand?

[airdancer]

I was looking at some necklaces and I noticed that the Tin Cups costs more than a full strand. Are the pearls on the tin cups better than a full strand? Any PGer has experiences to share?

[Mervione]

Do you mean how much the pearls themselves cost rather than the finished piece of jewelry? If you mean the pearls, than I think it´s normal that they cost more because compare the price of pearls in a bracelet to the price of pearls in a necklace of the same size quality and colour. I think that the fewer pearls you buy at once, the more expensive it gets.

[Mka4972]

I believe most of the value in a tin cup necklace is in the gold unless you are making a tin cup with say nice Tahitian pearls. Most tin cup necklaces are made using cheaper freshwater pearls.

[Valeria101]

'Doubt there is any logic in the price difference; after all, any seller can ask any price (and get it).

Much as I know, traditional tin cups (i.e. not two meter long ones with unmatched pearls and a couple' dozen types of chain - tho are 'in') get less nice pearls in and are priced for the 'style' (i.e. at random) despite being not-so-in-style.

Taking it coldly, the pearls can be way cheaper or allot more expensive then the cost of other materials and labour in a tin-cup strand. Depends on those pearls...

That's about all I know.


As for liking...
I like pearl chains - i.e. tiny pearls interspersed with more or less chain length inviting a pendant; and when the pearls are large and stand on their own, it seems that a bit of space between them (smaller spacers, chain lings, whatever) exposes each pear in a way traditional strands do not. Definitely fun for a necklace of mixed colors.

[airdancer]

Great comments! I guess you all are right: there is an economies of scale in buying more pearls. I really like the style using large SSP or Tahitian round pearls - it looks marvelous with a off shoulder dress. I find a full strand more practical for everyday wear.

[Mka4972]

I think that a tin cup necklace is a great item, In our company they are by far the number one selling item, we can't keep them on the shelves! Either way a full strand of pearls or a tin cup you can't go wrong they are both great for everyday wear.

[knotty panda]

A tin cup is nice. One of the attys at work has a matinee length tin cup which I didn't think I would like but do. What I don't like is various chains and pearls. I just want to cut the fingers off of my gloves and bounce around singing, "Like A Virgin, HEY!" I don't think anyone wants that to happen. Hope I didn't ruin anyone's breakfast.

[The Pearl Outlet]

The cost is often higher because of the labor involved in making them and the cost of the gold. The thinner the chain (if gold), the cheaper the necklace, and too thin of a chain can be problematic (it can easily break).

The cost when dealing with freshwater pearls is especially noticeable because freshwater pearls are fairly inexpensive.

It is much less of an issue with Tahitian, South Sea, or larger Akoya pearls. The tin-cup will nearly always be less expensive than an entire strand.

The pearl quality typically is equal to a similarly graded strand, if ordered from the same retailer.

Here's a tin-cup we recently made with B quality South Sea pearls (using the A-D Scale). You can imagine how much gold is involved in the chain in this necklace... The pearls are 12-14mm.
http://www.thepearloutlet.com/manuByID/490/images/SNWH014XAP018-zoom.jpg

We'll be soon adding an entire section to our website just for tin-cup necklaces with nearly every type and quality of pearl we sell.

[Heidi]

A tin cup is nice. One of the attys at work has a matinee length tin cup which I didn't think I would like but do. What I don't like is various chains and pearls. I just want to cut the fingers off of my gloves and bounce around singing, "Like A Virgin, HEY!" I don't think anyone wants that to happen. Hope I didn't ruin anyone's breakfast.


You just made my morning!! :D

[john675]

A tin cup is nice. One of the attys at work has a matinee length tin cup which I didn't think I would like but do. What I don't like is various chains and pearls. I just want to cut the fingers off of my gloves and bounce around singing, "Like A Virgin, HEY!" I don't think anyone wants that to happen. Hope I didn't ruin anyone's breakfast.

Far from making me lose my breakfast, I burst out laughing. I just watched "Grey's Anatomy" on TiVo last night and one of the surgeons was singing "Like a Virgin" while doing an autopsy.

[Ashley]

We haven't yet made it to South Sea tincups- I find that alot of customers kind of balk at the price since they are so used to the cheaper freshwater versions... We recently ran a Tin Cup Sale (our April Monthly Special), and debuted this Tahitian Baroque and Black FW pearl Tin Cup

[airdancer]

knottypanda->ROTFLMAO!!
Thanks Terry, Ashley and Mka4972! So, in short, economies of scale can't really apply since other factors are involved (skilled labour and gold) even if the quality of the pearl is the same. Got it!

[jshepherd]

This thread inspired me today. We have not carried a tin-cup style in more than five years, but there are a lot of things that can be done in pearl and chain, especially Tahitian.

My thoughts ...

Straight-size pieces with peacock Tahitians of differing body colors but with Tahitian "orient", or straight peacock.

Graduated pieces from 8-9 mm to 12 mm in the center. It would likely be seven pearls total, so 8-9x2, 9-10x2, 10-11x2 and 12-13x1.

Peacock circle Tahitians.

A piece like Ashley's in the avatar with a 2-3 pearl drop but also a station necklace with keshi pearls every few inches up to the start of the drape.

A "Pelosi" style tin-cup with white SS, golden SS and Tahitians.

Well, there is a lot of chain and wire-wrapping involved. But the possibilities are endless. It should not be that expensive. You would allow for three inches on either side of the clasp to accommodate the neck, and if the piece were 18 inches and the pearls separated by two inches it would take seven pearls. A 16-inch piece with seven pearls would have a 1.5-inch separation. That separation seems about right. I think we are going to start tinkering with it next week.

[Heidi]

This thread inspired me today. We have not carried a tin-cup style in more than five years, but there are a lot of things that can be done in pearl and chain, especially Tahitian.

My thoughts ...

Straight-size pieces with peacock Tahitians of differing body colors but with Tahitian "orient", or straight peacock.

Graduated pieces from 8-9 mm to 12 mm in the center. It would likely be seven pearls total, so 8-9x2, 9-10x2, 10-11x2 and 12-13x1.

Peacock circle Tahitians.

A piece like Ashley's in the avatar with a 2-3 pearl drop but also a station necklace with keshi pearls every few inches up to the start of the drape.

A "Pelosi" style tin-cup with white SS, golden SS and Tahitians.

Well, there is a lot of chain and wire-wrapping involved. But the possibilities are endless. It should not be that expensive. You would allow for three inches on either side of the clasp to accommodate the neck, and if the piece were 18 inches and the pearls separated by two inches it would take seven pearls. A 16-inch piece with seven pearls would have a 1.5-inch separation. That separation seems about right. I think we are going to start tinkering with it next week.

Great ideas, all! I was thinking about this today after reading the thread this morning. I remember the post in recent times with the photo of Olivia Newton John wearing her SS pearl necklace which was made with charms instead of a straight Tin Cup style. How does the labor differ between the two approaches? I like both but the dangling charms have their own appeal... At any rate, these are so wearable and more price accessible for those of us who want to collect different types of pearls it's great to hear you're going to "tinker" next week. :)

[jshepherd]

I don't think charms would really differ. They would be wrapped directly from the chain. It should not really be that much of a difference. If the pearls were set station-style they would be wire-wrapped from either side. If set as charms they would simply be attached at specific intervals.

[jerin]

We haven't yet made it to South Sea tincups- I find that alot of customers kind of balk at the price since they are so used to the cheaper freshwater versions... We recently ran a Tin Cup Sale (our April Monthly Special), and debuted this Tahitian Baroque and Black FW pearl Tin Cup


Hi Ashley,

I really do like your tin-cup style with the interspersed smaller dyed freshwater pearls but I wonder why you didn´t have that nice Tahitian from the "extender chain" in the center and the circled one as the end of the extender? The shape of the larger pearl is much more appealing to me and probably the extender is on the back of my neck so the pearl there will not be seen that much:rolleyes:

[jerin]

Jeremy,

please explain once again the difference between a "station" necklace and what:confused:.

I prefer the style that Ashley has a photo from, not really like the big ring as shown in the Avatar, but a nice idea to have "dangling" pearls in the necklace.

What would such a piece cost? Amanda´s special was about 450 dollars if I remember, but if you are doing a tin cup in only Tahitians with the sizes mentioned that would mean at least 700 dollars or even more, depending on the high gold price and that is quite steep if compared to whole strands in the same quality grade,is that correct?

For myself I hope that it will be affordable so my collection can grow with different styles..

A Pelosi style sounds great but probably way too expensive for us ordinary customers, sigh...

[pearlescence]

Hi..What is a Pelosi style necklace.
I'm going to try out some of the tincups too. I think I will use silver first then if there is interest over here I could try vermeil to keep the cost down

[jerin]

Hi Wendy,

I think it refers to LARGE sOUT sEA PEARLS, in other words a real luxury tin cup. Pelosi had a whole strand of South Seas in an interview (she has probably more than one) and it was talked about it on the forum some time ago.

[Hanaleimom]

Hi,
The left picture is the South Sea strand. The right picture is the "Pelosi style": white and golden South Sea Pearls mixed with Tahitians. For more pictures, see our online vendors' necklaces here

http://www.thepearloutlet.com/roi/490/Tahitian-Pearls/Pelosi-Pearl-Necklace-PPN-01AAA.htm

and here http://www.pearlparadise.com/detail.aspx?ID=1145

[pearlescence]

Ah, now I understand.
well, no I don't because those necklaces are not pearls and chain...
Anyhow, here is a photo of our former Speaker of the House of Commons, Betty (now Baroness) Boothroyd.
She is wearing some fabulous pearls.

[Hanaleimom]

Ah, now I understand.
well, no I don't because those necklaces are not pearls and chain...
Anyhow, here is a photo of our former Speaker of the House of Commons, Betty (now Baroness) Boothroyd.
She is wearing some fabulous pearls.

I believe when Jeremy talks about Pelosi tin cup he meant to incorporate the Pelosi style pearls into the Tin Cup strand. Therefore, mixing the gold, white and green pearls into various station/interval of the gold chain.

[Valeria101]

Considering a few factors: that large pearls look great on thin chain but the combination is potentially fragile, that gold costs what it does, that white metals are in... etc. I am surprised that titanium jewelry with pearls is so rare - I've never heard of such necklaces made with titanium chain at all, and only came to think of it for setting some large lapis beads on chain (they keep breaking conventional thin chain).

Just wanted to drop a line here because the price of Ti findings and pearls appear to match (from where I am standing); this isn't terribly important for my one piece, but for a whole line of jewelry just might make a difference. Otherwise, the reputation of the darn metal keeps rising in the jewelry ranks; it seems ripe for joining mainstream pearls anyway. And can be as black as Tahitians too...

What do you think?

[airdancer]

Perhaps Titanium is not thought of as jewelery more a functional metal? For instance, Titanium spectacle frames are useful because they are not suppose to break.

[boo]

I think I have posted this one before, but here it is again - despite the robust chain I presume this still qualifies as a Tin Cup style. The pearls range from 9-12.5mm (ish) so the size is roughly comparable to what Jeremy mentioned.

The photo in a larger and upright configuration can be seen on my photobucket page at http://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa245/auntbootoo/?action=view&current=IMG_2096.jpg

I *finally* appear to have gotten a decent pearl photo - the reflections are nice and the blemishes hardly show at all :p Oh, and I apologize for the prodigious amounts of lint and fuzz on the velvet - hopefully you will be adequately dazzled by the pearls that you won't even notice... (I did try paper towel, but it is very windy today and the towel kept trying to blow away with my pearls, even when I tried to anchor it)

The pearls are rather nicely green except for one adjacent to the center pearl, which is kind of purply-green, and the middle pearl on the right hand side, which is actually green on one side and purple on the other (very cool). I had the "wrong" side showing when I took the photo - I should have primped it more.

Anyway, it is a very nice style that I wear for both casual and dressy occassions.

[GemGeek]

That's gorgeous and I love the larger center pearl. Lucky Boo! ;)

[robinmce]

This thread inspired me today. We have not carried a tin-cup style in more than five years, but there are a lot of things that can be done in pearl and chain, especially Tahitian.

Peacock circle Tahitians.

...with keshi pearls every few inches up to the start of the drape.

A "Pelosi" style tin-cup with white SS, golden SS and Tahitians.

I think we are going to start tinkering with it next week.

I look forward to seeing them!
I love tahitian tincups and a pelosi style tinsup sounds incredible.
Have one from with chocolate 11-12 tahitians
...and one I just made with sterling chain and smooth aqua pink baroque tahitians. Both get a lot of wear.
Robin

[GemGeek]

Wow, those are terrific, too! ;)

[robinmce]

I love Boo's with the beautiful round tahitians!!

[Raisondetre]

I think the problem with titanium is that it is not malleable. My titanium ring is very strong but the guy who did mine said he had to drill it with laser, so if they make a mistake with the wrapping it is hard to correct. Love the tincups! Trust me to actually bother to post while actually on tour ... in a smoke-filled cybercafe in Fukuoka right now. And yeah, the pearls are so expensive retail! Tasaki pearls do rock though ...

[Amrita]

Lovely necklace, Boo! And, Robin, what a gorgeous pair of tin cups you've got! :)

[knotty panda]

I think the appeal for a tin cup is it goes with everything, denim on up, sturdy, and it's pearls. I don't think diamond or gemstone station pieces carry the same appeal at all. So there's your basic. Variations on the basic aren't worn as often but give the owner some variety because the style itself is so appealing. Who invented it anyway? BTW, the FW baroque stretch bracelet I bought got ripped apart and made into a tin cup. Loved it! Then I ripped that up and wire wrapped it, no chain. Still loved it. Worked in sterling, but I think I would like to eventually use gold and do it up right. The baroques and their iridescence is very appealing. Wish I had more of those little beauties. Need a bracelet. Really is a go everywhere with everything piece. I like how Ashley mixed up her pearl sizes so randomly. Do you think the graduated pearls would be evident with only 7? I do like the idea, though.

[knotty panda]

Boo, love the anchor link. I think a spiral link would look nice too. I've considered a byzantine, then I stood real still and the feeling passed.

[jerin]

Hi Bo, Robinmc, Knotty

I would like to see a real close-up where the pearl links with the chain, so I can see a bit of the wirework involved, thanks. I like Boo´s tin-cup with a larger center pearl but Robin´s aqa coloured I like very much too (that goes for the chocolate tin-cup as well). Linkwise I think Boo´s chain suits the Tahitians very well.

[Nerida]

Love all the tin-cup photos - particularly the early SS one (thanks for the gorgeous photo, Terry), and Robin & Boo - yours are both gorgous! BUT can one of our lovely jewellery makers PLEASE try to make the Olivia Newton John one that was posted a while ago..... I saved a photo of it and keep dreaming about it.. PLEASE? Has to have the great mix of colours to make it perfect, I think.. I'm just not that skilled yet to try it!

[jshepherd]

Jeremy,

please explain once again the difference between a "station" necklace and what:confused:.

What would such a piece cost? Amanda´s special was about 450 dollars if I remember, but if you are doing a tin cup in only Tahitians with the sizes mentioned that would mean at least 700 dollars or even more, depending on the high gold price and that is quite steep if compared to whole strands in the same quality grade, is that correct?

For myself I hope that it will be affordable so my collection can grow with different styles..

A Pelosi style sounds great but probably way too expensive for us ordinary customers, sigh...

A station necklace is basically a tin-cup necklace. The pearls are situated a specific distance from each other on a chain.

We looked into this yesterday. I had a few chain styles brought in and selected a spool of a medium-weight chain link and 5 mm wire for the wrapping. I matched a few pearl combinations, drilled them and gave them to Hisano (the lady in the office that does most of the wire wrapping). Hopefully she will have some pieces put together by tomorrow.

Regarding the question of cost, after she makes a few samples I will be able to see how much chain is used and how much white gold wire is used on either side of each pearl and to attach the tab and clasp. Regarding the labor side of it, she "thinks" it will take about 30 minutes for each piece.

There is another way of doing it that I have seen primarily in China. A thin chain is used and the pearls are attached with epoxy at different intervals. I've never really liked that style personally. It would be very easy for the pearls to become dislodged. By wrapping them in place they would be permanently affixed.

A Pelosi strand might not be too expensive. It would be best to start with Tahitians and end with a Tahitian in the center to keep the cost down. It is something I'd have to play with again.

[knotty panda]

I had a few chain styles brought in and selected a spool of a medium-weight chain link and 5 mm wire for the wrapping.

...There is another way of doing it that I have seen primarily in China. A thin chain is used and the pearls are attached with epoxy at different intervals. I've never really liked that style personally. It would be very easy for the pearls to become dislodged. By wrapping them in place they would be permanently affixed.

5MM wire? The drill holes must be huge and it would take a herculean effort to wrap. Can I get you to convert all this to OD, ID and GA? I.E., links, O.D./I.D. of link and ga. of wire.

The good thing about the epoxy tin cup is the pearls don't look like they are wearing a Mickey Mouse hat. Have to be careful of that. The really bad thing is, how in the WORLD do they get the chain through the drill hole.

Wrapped, I already said the bad thing, Mickey hat.

[Ashley]

Hi Ashley,

I really do like your tin-cup style with the interspersed smaller dyed freshwater pearls but I wonder why you didn´t have that nice Tahitian from the "extender chain" in the center and the circled one as the end of the extender? The shape of the larger pearl is much more appealing to me and probably the extender is on the back of my neck so the pearl there will not be seen that much:rolleyes:

Hi There Jerin-

I just now saw your post on the thread- the way the threads disappear from view for days at a time and then pop back up just drives me crazy sometimes!

Ok- to answer your questions fom the forum, I chose the Lime Green drop-shaped Tahitian for the extender chain because it was so different from all of the other pearls that I had gathered together for the necklace, but it was so interesting that I couldn't bear to leave it out of the layout!! I didn't want any one single pearl to grab the spotlight- IMHO they all should be somewhat matched and complementary.

However, I absolutely encourage anyone who is interested in the Tahitian Tin Cups to guide me with their vision of what makes a fabulous layout! We can easily tailor the piece to your specifications! :)

Also, I consider a station necklace to be a piece that has pearls that are wire-wrapped onto a specific place (or station ;) ) on the base material used for the necklace, be it chain, ribbon, leather, etc. The Olivia Newton John necklace (very beautiful and apparently she has two or three of them in different pearl varieties yum yum), I would consider to be more in the realm of a "Charm" bracelet cum necklace; the pearls are all top-drilled with I-Pins inserted and then attached to an Open-link chain.

[jshepherd]

5MM wire? The drill holes must be huge and it would take a herculean effort to wrap. Can I get you to convert all this to OD, ID and GA? I.E., links, O.D./I.D. of link and ga. of wire.

The good thing about the epoxy tin cup is the pearls don't look like they are wearing a Mickey Mouse hat. Have to be careful of that. The really bad thing is, how in the WORLD do they get the chain through the drill hole.

Wrapped, I already said the bad thing, Mickey hat.

LOL
I meant .5 mm wire, not 5 mm wire. That would have been like trying to wrap a pearl with a chothes hanger! I drilled the pearls at a standard .6 mm. This is smaller than average for larger pearls as I drill most Tahitians at either .8 or .9 mm, but as thread is not an issue with these I felt the more pearl the better.

[Ashley]

The baroques and their iridescence is very appealing. Wish I had more of those little beauties. Need a bracelet. Really is a go everywhere with everything piece. I like how Ashley mixed up her pearl sizes so randomly.

I really, really, really wanted to make the Tahitian Tin Cup a Necklace and Bracelet set!! I Really Did! Mostly, what I wanted to do was turn it into a Convertible set, but I am not sure how to go about that- any ideas anybody?? :confused:

What I'd like to do is create the 18-inch Tin Cup and a 7-inch Bracelet that would be able to seamlessly combine into one single 25/26-inch piece! I think that the versatility of the 3-in-1 piece may make that a hot ticket, and I love the bracelet idea.

[knotty panda]

LOL, we probably did synchronized "I meant" "I'll bet he meant" double takes! I figured it out. I've used 26 or 28 ga. wire on fairly thin chain. (Been so long, I don't recall which.) But I always have trouble gauging the link size and how it fits with the gauge wire when ordering online. And don't get me started on Royal gauge sizes. Too much for my feeble mind.

[knotty panda]

Ashley, contact Cliclasp and see what she can do for you. I think there is a way to embed the key completely in the pearl. If not, then you could add spacers to the outside of the pearl which replicate the key and make it transparent.

[Ashley]

Wow, wonderful Thanks!

[airdancer]

What I'd like to do is create the 18-inch Tin Cup and a 7-inch Bracelet that would be able to seamlessly combine into one single 25/26-inch piece! I think that the versatility of the 3-in-1 piece may make that a hot ticket, and I love the bracelet idea.

I love that idea - although I don't wear bracelets. I think it would be nice for bridesmaids, if the bride is looking for a gift for them.

[boo]

Here is a close-up, jerin. Mickey Mouse hat style, as per Knotty.

[jerin]

Hi Boo and thanks for the close up but I still don´t understand:

These pearls are drilled throughout the pearl, if You use an eye pin, one side has the "spiral" but in your pic it looks like you have pins that are used on half drilled pearls, i.e. they look the same on both sides?

And what is a Mickey Mouse hat-style?

[robinmce]

Hi Jerin
It's not a head pin used. Wire is pulled through the pearl, then wrapped around the chain link to attach on each end. Like so..

the mouse ears are when the loops on each end are large! These are nice and small around the chain link.. so no big mouse ears!

[pearlescence]

Those are a really nice sort of coppery coloured pearl Robinmce - is the chain copper or rose gold - hard to tell in a photo?

[jshepherd]

This is how we have started putting them together.

The wire is wrapped to the chain from both sides of the pearl using a single piece of gold wire.

3923

There is a space of about 1.5 inches between each pearl.

3924

For a 16-inch tin cup it takes approximately 12 inches of chain and 11 inches of wire if the tab and clasp are wrapped onto the chain.

[robinmce]

pearlescence they are chocolate tahitians on rose gold from TPO. Very pretty!!
Jeremy..fantastic pearls!! Looks great!!
Robin

[Heidi]

Jeremy - I love the look. Very simple and elegant!

[airdancer]

I didn't know tin cups required so much work. They look so simple and elegant! Great colors, Jeremy!

[pearlescence]

the choc tahitians are delicious and I love rose gold. It is used a lot by arab women for their jewellery and when I go to Tunisia I can spend hours with my nose mushed against the windows of jewellery shops in the old jewellery quarters of the medinas, leaving trails of drool at the delicate work done

[jshepherd]

I didn't know tin cups required so much work. They look so simple and elegant! Great colors, Jeremy!

I don't think they really are too much work. I spent about three hours selecting pearls for seven different styles. I takes Hisano about 20 minutes to make each piece. There are a lot of elements in the total design. Each has to be taken into account to determine actual cost per piece. But it is not as bad as I thought it would be.

[Hanaleimom]

Lovely pearls and nice work, Jeremy!

[Mka4972]

This is how we do it, 23 pearls drilled with 1mm hole and glued in place


http://www.pearls.com/thumbs/ips/965257.jpg

[Ashley]

We use a technique similar to Jeremy's- I like the individual wire-wrapping, it's very secure.

[airdancer]

Mka4972, may I know if the pearls will come off because of the glue? One of my fw came off the post - I think I got it wet too many times.

[Heidi]

I don't think they really are too much work. I spent about three hours selecting pearls for seven different styles. I takes Hisano about 20 minutes to make each piece. There are a lot of elements in the total design. Each has to be taken into account to determine actual cost per piece. But it is not as bad as I thought it would be.

How do your current experiments compare in materials and labor to the station necklace you had awhile back - I think it was the Keira Knightly one, 16" long?

[pattye]

Heres a variation on the tin cup, made with quartz "ice cube" beads and pearls on a textured sterling chain. It was donated to a school auction earlier this month----
Used lengths of wire attached through the bead, spacer and pearl, just like Jeremy and Ashley----
3928

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[knotty panda]

New rule. Everyone who posts a wire wrap has to include gauge and wire temper (hard, hh, soft) 'cuz I'm gonna ask. I've been playing with wire a lot lately. Those quartz beads look heavy. Did you use 22 ga, Pattye? Thanks!

[pattye]

Oops, good point, Knotty. It is argentium silver 24 gauge, HH. I am still pretty new at this stuff and have a lot to learn. Not sure I have any 22 gauge at all.

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[Heidi]

Hi Pattye -
That's a very nice design you did! I really like the color and metal combination.

[GemGeek]

I love the necklace, Pattye. I purchased some of that textured chain in Tucson. You're inspiring me to use it! ;)

[pattye]

Thanks Heidi and Blaire,

I was inspired by all the beautiful tin cup style necklaces everyone else has been showing! A bit of a challenge figuring out the spacing and how many large beads to use. I also made one with dark green fw pearls and the same ice cube quartz, but slightly prefer with the white pearls of this one.

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[jerin]

Thank you all for showing how the wire wrapping and linking is done!

[Mka4972]

Airdancer, we have very little problem with the pearls coming unglued. We use a very strong 2 part epoxy.

[pearlescence]

I've had a try at this style too, now. Here are the first efforts. White 10-.11mm with a rose overglow. I didn't think I would like the finished necklaces but I am 'test wearing' them now. The chain etc are sterling silver

[pattye]

Hi Wendy,

That turned out very pretty! Love the size of the pearls and the dangle off the toggle. Are you wearing it with the toggle in front?

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[pearlescence]

At the moment the 'test pilot' is sticking to dangle at the back but I am now wearing both at once!
they feel very light and summery and you could wear them to the beach or swim as there is no silk to get wet and rot
Thanks! It is great to get praise from such a practised eye as yours

[Ashley]

Pattye- I Love the Ice Cube crystal necklace- such an inventive mix!
I've posted some close ups of the Tin Cup that I am wearing today to show the wirewrapping- we use a very slim gauge 14K Yellow gold (I fell in love with using yellow gold to accent Tahitian pearls awhile ago- it brings out all the warm tones in the pearls IMHO).

Like Perlescence, I think the best look of all is wearing them graduated two at a time- one at 16-inches, the other at 18-inch or so. Very casual, yet elegant, and all of those pretty pearls get to play off each other! :)

[pearlkrazy]

I just had to throw my two cents in here & say keep the creative tin cup designs coming! I work in a pretty (read very - it's SoCal!) casual office & feel like strands are a little too much for everyday. I'm constantly on the look out for new tin cup, Y & pendent designs. I especially like ones that mix different types of pearls. I snatched up the tahitian keshi & akoya special at TPO :D

[Ashley]

Well, what are everybody's ideas about pricing? How much MAX would you spend on a nice gold and pearl tin cup? What about averages?

What's the most comfortable?

[boo]

Ashley - I don't know how much help this will be, but I paid $750 for my tin cup about 7 years ago.

[knotty panda]

What kind of pearls, Boo? I bought two, for $100/strand retail about 7 years ago as well. Freshies and now that I look at them with my more knowing eye, they are beading quality, potato, no luster. Which makes it a good everyday piece. I've gotten my money out of it. I don't know what happened to the other strand when my mother passed. Wish I did. I would have made a bracelet out of it.

[Ashley]

Considering the size of the pearls and the thickness of the chain, I'd venture that's a pretty good deal.. I really like the Mickey-Mouse ears, too- the caps on the ends give the piece a very finished, very polished look

[Hanaleimom]

Hi Boo,
Gorgeous necklace. I thought you made it. Those are nice size pearls. Ditto to what Ashley said, I like the caps at the ends. Are the caps epoxied on? and the wire passed through the cap and wrapped?:confused:
Sorry, I don't string and have no jewelry making experience. :)

[robinmce]

Hi Ashley
I paid about $500 for mine, 11-12mm tahitian rose gold... on sale! Excellent price and I would purchase again around there without hesitation.
The other I made and is sterling so was low cost..
I would prefer pricing under $500 for tahitian tin cup in gold. under $400 even better!
Maybe consider a sterling or even better argentum option for the more budget conscious among us. The price of gold is CRAZY.
Robin

[Ashley]

Hi Ashley

I would prefer pricing under $500 for tahitian tin cup in gold. under $400 even better!
Maybe consider a sterling or even better argentum option for the more budget conscious among us. The price of gold is CRAZY.
Robin

I definitely hear you there! I'd like to get under $400, but the gold costs are kinda... Ouch.

[boo]

Cathy, it appears to me that they have used 2 end caps (such as would be used for a pendant or earrings) - one on each side, then the loops on the caps were opened like a jump ring and attached to the chain that way.

Knotty, I am presuming that the pearls are Tahitians. That is how they were sold and the size and blemishing appear consistent with that to my very inexpert eyes.

I really like the necklace - it was the most money I had ever spent on a piece of jewelry at the time (and I have only a few that are more expensive than it) but it just "spoke" to me. I have earrings to match and they were a near miracle having been purchased on eBay several years later using the color on the computer monitor as a basis for the purchase. The seller assured me I could return them if they were not to my liking and they were so cheap (<$100) that I am still not convinced that they aren't good fakes, but they are a very good color match and dangles (hooray) and I love the way the set looks.

[jshepherd]

I don't think under $500 is unreasonable. It is even possible with Tahitians. It just really depends on the quality/price of the pearls. The few we put together this week were done with pearls from the "loot" lot so that will make them more expensive. But if we decide to create a line there are a lot of other options. They have turned out really nice though. Hisano finished all but the "Pelosi" style today because we decided that piece would go better with yellow 14k.

[richipat]

Under $400 would make them more affordable for the average woman. They are perfect for the "business casual" look we all have these days. Sometimes a full strand of pearls can look too dressy.

Jeremy -- post some pics!!

Keep 'em coming!!!

[Heidi]

Another thought on price would be to make SS and lovely pearls like those from the loot lot (such a funny word combination!) options available as an alternative to either FW, keishi, and AA+ baroque Tahitians... Just thinking out loud, or forum-loud. :) I'm being self-serving because I think a loot necklace would be AWESOME.

[Hanaleimom]

Heidi,
I agree. Those loot pearls are lustrous. I'd love to have a tin cup with those pearls. What about choice of gold color? Personally, I think yellow gold do bring out the tone of the intense-colored Tahitian.

Is it more costly to have the caps on both ends of the pearls? Those look really nice on Boo's necklace!

Jeremy, do we get to see more pictures? I am curious about the "other" styles. Will the Pelosi style be baroque pearls or round pearls?

Ashley, to cut cost down you can offer two styles: one with pearls completely on the gold chain and one with seven pearls? Just a thought.

[Heidi]

Hi Cathy -
I am a yellow gold person, typically, so this is a pretty biased answer. I love what it does for most gemstones and pearls. I think you're right that it helps to bring out the color on the intense ones. As an example, I saw Pattye in a necklace of silvery semi baroque Tahitians from Care Ehret. Her typical 22-ish k spacers and clasp really set off the cool tones of those pearls. Alternatively, I have a really pretty peacock/green overtoned Tahitian baroque drop in yellow gold and the colors just sing out against that metal.

Your point about doing a necklace with fewer pearls is also a good one. I know that, for myself, I wear scarves, jackets and shawls so often that only about 1/2 of any necklace is ever visible. I'd much rather pay for fewer pearls that are visible than more that are under my clothes. But I might be funny that way. ;-)

On the Pelosi style - I can't recall who posted their necklace with white and gold SS pearls recently, but it is beautiful; I can imagine that same kind of interplay of cool and warm tones. Even using some of the mixed keishis I have seen (white with tinges of gold) would be a really gorgeous direction for a necklace and maybe not as expensive in the end.

[Hanaleimom]

Hi Heidi,
Great minds think alike!:)

I would personally have less pearls (7) that are of higher quality rather than 12 pearls of lesser quality or mixed with dye FW on gold chain. It just depends on whether your wardrobe has more tops/dresses that have collar or not. A lot of designs I've seen sold in Hawaii are set in yellow gold and they look gorgeous. There is a necklace I saw that has Tahitian pearls with 3 diamond cut yellow gold spacer beads alternating throughout the necklace; and it's so beautiful. Here is the bracelet picture. I don't have a picture of the necklace to post here. But I have the magazine with the model wearing the necklace with white button-down shirt.

As for the Pelosi tin cup style, I'd prefer the circle pearls with bands rather than perfect round. First reason is to keep cost down. Second reason is due to the look. It's organic, and has the "cannot-be-imitated" look. To me, this is much more unique than so many Pelosi necklaces made of round pearls.

Sorry for the digression. :D

[jshepherd]

Here are a couple of pictures of one of the round tin cups that Natalie shot yesterday.

3946

This is how it would wear.

3947

[robinc]

I LOVE that, Jeremy!

As a lot of other people have said, sometimes a full strand feels too dressy for a more casual workplace. (I teach college English at a large public university.)

I think especially in the summer months, a "tin cup" style provides an appropriately "light" look.

I have a yellow gold version with very small (~4mm) pearls that my DH got me early in our marriage, when the style was first popular. It was inexpensive ($150??), and I've certainly gotten his money's worth from it!

I would LOVE to see the Pelosi version of this, Jeremy!

--Robin C.

[airdancer]

More plus points - I've always thought that large good quality tin cups (more than 11-12mm) is bumped up from the casual into the dressier category and as everyone said earlier in the thread, is more affordable than a full strand.

[Heidi]

That is really nice looking. I love a full strand, but looking here the space and metal really does highlight the color and character of the individual pearls. Such a lovely and wearable style. Pretty cool!

[robinmce]

Jeremy, That is a beautiful piece... sadly my budget will probably only reach to baroque/off round tahitian necklace. I'm assuming the under $500 would not apply to perfect round tahitians!
Robin

[jerin]

Hi everyone,

may I put a proposal and I hope that you not are at my throat for mentioning it: would it be possible to use goldfilled chain instead of 14 K gold? I use this material in my jump rings, some clasps (Vermail) and just as I told - chain.

I don´t know how well it would hold up for daily wear but it certainly could become a line for those of us who want good quality pearls but still could think of having not the "real" stuff for everyday wear, especially in necklace styles like the tin cup that needs such a length of chain.

Normally I always opt for gold but as the prices are very high and I better like to have round Tahitians or Tahitians with heavy colouring, I could think myself a tin cup in either SS or Goldfilled any day!

Just a thought, I would like your comments.

[richipat]

Inge,
Gold filled would work for me. I do like the way the yellow gold works with the tahitians. Besides, unless you wear the necklace every single day, the gold should stay put. And it makes it more affordable.

[pattye]

Terrific tin cups, Jeremy and all!

Inge, Pat, I do use both gold-filled and sterling. (I do have some 18k and 22k spacer beads stashed away for use with my very most special pearls, Definitely use more sterling, though.

Partly the issue has been finding a good source of high quality gold-filled chain and findings, with consistent color. If anyone knows of such, please post it. My understanding is that gold-filled might wear better than vermeil, although I use vermeil also. I like the idea of precious metals together (gold over silver).

I wish for a good source of 18k gold filled. I think that would give a rich color and have good wearability at reasonable cost. If the price of gold stays high no doubt we will be seeing more gold-filled in the market and with higher end jewelry. We have seen that already with sterling, many high end designers are using it successfully with platinum plating, rhodium plating, etc to inhibit tarnishing and give a look of platinum or white gold.

It's great that we have the added advantage of being able to rework a piece if spacers or chain looses it's finish over time. Just a few thoughts----

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[GemGeek]

For those who are squeamish about gold-filled: gold-filled has a layer of 1/20th gold by volume. It is manufactured onto the metal sheet or wire before the chain or part is pressed out. Genuine gold-filled items should last a lifetime.

Gold-filled has something like forty times the amount of gold that is on vermeil. The good thing about vermeil, is that it's gold plate on sterling silver, so it's all precious metal. Gold-filled is usually over brass or an alloy.

Hope the explanation helps. Pattye, I get most of my gold-filled from Rio Grande or Stuller. With chain, you need to select from a manufacturer that specifies "tub finish" to get the same look. I'm sure that others have experience with this and can share. :cool:

[jerin]

I have ordered from Bella Findings.

[pearlescence]

Talking of variations, does anyone know of a source of electrum, which was popular in ancient Egypt?

[pattye]

Thanks a bunch, Blaire, Inge and all,

For all the info about vermeil, gold-fill and resources. I so appreciate your willingness to share! I learn alot from all of you each day!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[GemGeek]

Talking of variations, does anyone know of a source of electrum, which was popular in ancient Egypt?

There was talk of ancient alloys on Orchid. You might search the forum archives for electrum. www.ganoksin.com

Good luck! ;)
Blaire

[The Pearl Outlet]

Here are a few tin cups we just finished. The freshwaters are in sterling, and the Akoya in 14k.

[waimeamomi]

Aloha, Iʻm new, but Iʻm dying to work with pearls and chain, but the chain is so expensive and I hate not to use 14k gold. Gold filled works great, and holds out, but it does not look as good - you can tell the difference. I do use it, but on my best stuff I try to use 14K. Here are some pics of a multi-gem style that I want to do with pearls - probably not make it as busy as this, but with pearls as stations between chain, and some dangling off. Maybe some gem accents. Once you get the wire going it is labor intensive, but itʻs not hard. I have some Tahitian keishiʻs coming from DruzyDesigns (that site is killing me!) and would like to try mixing those with more traditionals. I play the gold game every day, but it is soooooo high. This is 14k. Thanks for looking!

[GemGeek]

I love it -- right up my alley. Pearls will make the design even better, of course! ;)

[knotty panda]

Terry: These aren't on the website yet, right? Length, pearl size, please? Thanks!

[laurenb]

Oooooh, this is the first time I've seen "tin cups" I've liked... other strands I've seen are long. I'm short, err... chesty, and have a tiny neck, so anything past 17 inches gets in the way and makes me look droopy.

Do you think you might have white gold as an option on the FWs? I'm thinking a jeweler or owner would have to take that gorgeous strand apart to clean off tarnish. Is rhodium plating on silver more aggrivation than it's worth?

It seems like tin cups would be a good solution for otherwise attractive pearls that were damaged by drilling, showed wear from being on unknotted thread, or had nacre issues around the hole, if little cups were added on the sides. Have any beaders used them this way?

[The Pearl Outlet]

Knotty, no, they aren't up on the site yet. I've been so busy... The pictures are of 7-8mm FW and 7.5-8mm Akoya. The necklaces are 18" in length, but we'll be able to do them in any length. The issue is that they will be priced so well, especially for larger sized pearls, that I'm afraid we won't be able to keep up with demand. I have only one person trained to do these, and she only works part time for me.

Like I had mentioned before, labor becomes one of the primary limiting factors. These are hand-done with wire-wrapping at each pearl. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes of labor per necklace. That means that in an 8-hour day non-stop, a person can probably do about 12 of them.

The cost in materials between sterling and 14k is around $40. With larger pearls, say 9mm and above, the cost of materials goes up to around $80 because we'll be using such a thick chain.

There will be issues with tarnishing with the silver, so I may do them in white gold as well. The price would be affected by about $40 per necklace still.

[The Pearl Outlet]

Yes, cups could be used to hide imperfections and they would make assembly faster, but they are less secure, the epoxy may fail, especially with so many cups, and the look is very different.

[waimeamomi]

I don't know anything about pearl drilling (that's on my list to learn, maybe) but maybe with the smaller pearls you could make holes big enough for chain to pass through. I've done some necklaces like that. You then use the little (2mm?) crimp covers to hold the beads in place on the chain. You don't have to cut the chain or do the wire wrapping. Or if you want to job out some of your necklaces, this teacher can always use the extra $$. Especially now that I've developed pearl passion! :p

[pearlescence]

Black tincup -seven 10mm round AA grade pearls. . These pearls are aubergine black with some rose and green overtone in places. All metal is sterling silver and the necklace is 55cm long.
White tincup - 10mm to 11mm white pearls plus one smaller pearl hanging at the back from the toggle clasp. Rose light in the lustre. silver
I've also made tin cups in rolled gold and vermeil.
Test wearing them, they feel great and summery since they are lighter in look and feel than a full strand

[pearlescence]

OOOoopps, forgot to post the white picture

[knotty panda]

Terry: I prefer that cup look. Makes it look more finished. You could wire the cups on either end of the pearl rather than gluing on posts. I have to tell you, I got some studs from Jeremy I guess 6 months ago. I wear them 24-7. They are as secure as when I received them. I am very, very impressed. Argentium is practically tarnish proof and the same price as sterling. Plus it's easier to wrap than 14kt which will keep the labor cost down.

[pattye]

Really, I think they are just different looks, with a lightweight chain between the pearls, and no end cap or roundel or spacer, it is especially light, airy, summery. When one starts adding caps and more metal, or heavier chain, varying the size of the pearls, and all that, it is just a style preference. On this variation of a tin cup, I used silver roundels next to the pearl.
4251

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[Caitlin]

Hi Wendy and Pattye.

Those are both lovely pieces. I am liking tin cup better and better. I would love to wear any of those!

[Nerida]

I agree with Caitlin - this thread has made me like this look more and more! Wendy, I think your pieces are lovely - I especially like the detail on the clasp and closure of the white one.

Pattye - I LOVE that necklace!! Are we going to see your work soon on Terry's designers' market??

[pattye]

Nice big pearls you used Wendy! Nice proportion of chain size to pearl, too. I lost part of my post somehow when Firefox timed out, and just now realized it, sorry.

Nerida, I am working on a couple of designs to submit for Terry's consideration. Pieces that can be reproduced with consistency, but be quite different from what he is offering is a challenge. So many times I have only bought a few strands of pearls or gems, with no assurance of getting any more. However, there is a Gem Faire coming up in 2 weeks---thanks much for the encouragement. My intention is to get a couple of designs off to him this July for sure!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[Heidi]

Hi Pattye -

I hope you do find some sources that will help you create some pieces to share with a wider audience. Your sense of color, in particular, really sets your designs apart. I'm lucky just to have seen that one OR sunstone necklace in person...

[LLoydsJewelry]

As with most Jewelry comparisons, it is necessary to compare equals. !4k gold is much more expensive that silver, vermeil, gold filled chains. Pearls should be the same mm size, quality and type. Tin cups can be done with knotted silk, and beading wire. To read our guide to Tin cups==> go to our artfire blog by that topic. We specialize in Tin Cup style. In the White color, shell pearls are a great money saving option.

W. Lloyd Patterson
Gemologist GIA Trained and Certified

http://www.artfire.com/users/lloydsjewelry/blog/c/tin-cup-necklaces

[LLoydsJewelry]

We specialize in tin cup styles including a very unique no wire wrapped look invisi-Mount. Sterling Silver is becoming more of a purchased item than in the past because of the high price of gold. Tip- Use a sunshine cloth to clean yout sterling. The cloth contains a non aggressive micro abrasive that will not remove silver, but works very well. Pictures shows our invisi-mount style using 1.05 ss box link.http://www.zibbet.com/LloydsJewelry/artwork?artworkId=80934

W. Lloyd Patterson
Gemologist GIA Certified.

http://www.zibbet.com/LloydsJewelry/artwork?artworkId=80934

[Ash]

At first I was not a fan of Tin Cup pearl necklaces. Recently Have been changing my mind, after I saw a a lady at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto wearing some they were the perfect accessory to her outfit. Very classy!! Does this mean I have to grow up now??

Cheers!