Rose or Ivory overtones?

[Flenser]

Hi--

I'm thinking of buying some earrings (and later a necklace) for my wife, and I've been reading a lot on this most excellent forum.

However, I haven't seen discussion of rose vs. ivory overtones. Perhaps I missed it -- there's a lot of good info here.

My wife has very fair "English" skin. Does anyone have an opinion on which type of overtone would look best for her?

I'm trying to make this a surprise; otherwise I'd just ask her. :-)

Thanks!

[The Pearl Outlet]

I'd suggest going with a rose overtone with a white body color. My wife has a similar complexion and the rose overtone is really the best color for her.

While many sites, including ours, make selection easier for the consumer by lumping the body color and overtone colors together, they are separate things. The body color of a pearl is the primary color and is usually white or cream for Akoya pearls. Cream can be denoted as off-white, ivory, etc.. and white may be denoted as bright white, brilliant white, etc. A white body color is typically preferred over an ivory body color and makes the pearl more valuable.

The overtone color of a pearl is a subtle, translucent color that lies across a pearl's surface and is secondary to the body color. Overtone colors for Akoya pearls most commonly include rose and silver, though there are others.

The bottom line, my recommendation would be a white body color with a rose overtone.

[Pearls_by_Angela_Carol]

I would have to agree with Terry. My wife also has a similar complexion - very fair skin. However, during the summer months if she spends any ammount of time in the sun she turns this wonderful shade of golden-brown. The rose overtones do look best on her with or without any sun.

Another thing that should be noted - since we are on the subject. Traditionally Mikimoto has offered Akoya pearls with a rose overtone while Tiffany & Co. has traditionally offered Akoya with a silver overtone.

[purepearls]

I agree with both Terry and Stephen. I personally prefer pearls with white bodycolor and rose overtones. I do have customers who prefer the cream bodycolor but since this is a surprise, I feel you are better off going with the more popular rose overtone.

[jerin]

Hi--

I'm thinking of buying some earrings (and later a necklace) for my wife, and I've been reading a lot on this most excellent forum.

However, I haven't seen discussion of rose vs. ivory overtones. Perhaps I missed it -- there's a lot of good info here.

My wife has very fair "English" skin. Does anyone have an opinion on which type of overtone would look best for her?

I'm trying to make this a surprise; otherwise I'd just ask her. :-)

Thanks!


Hi, all members!

here some suggestions I have found in one of my books:

dark skin - golden tints of pearls

pinkish skin - rosy cream colours of pearl

pale skin - pinkish, rosy white, and rosy cream colours of pearl

brunette hair - rosy cream pearls

reddish hair - rosy cream pearls

blonde hair - rose colours of pearl.


I hope that you have found some nice earrings for your wife, there are several of the members on the forum that can offer lots of different high-class pearls.


Jerin :)

[Satine De La Courcel]

I would agree with the others especially for a gift.

owever I have fair skin not pale but fair and Natural really Long red hair. I tend wear all colors of Pearls from white to cream to goleden tints to rosey....to Black, gold a mauve pearls... and more.. My Mama has the same skin tone as your wife and she can wear anything! Absolutely anything.... ( she is the kind of woman that can wear a strand of pearls with a potato sack and meet the queen for tea...... She has the nack to dress up anything with pearls!

Ash

[Flenser]

Thanks to everyone who provided feedback.

I bought a pair of rose-overtoned earrings, and my wife loves them!

She hinted about a matching necklace, which will spoil her Christmas present. :-)

This forum is definitely one of the best I've seen for polite people willing to help out.

Thanks again!

[The Pearl Outlet]

Excellent! And congratulations on a great purchase. It's always encouraging to see our advice end in another person's happiness.

[Tam]

I'd suggest going with a rose overtone with a white body color. My wife has a similar complexion and the rose overtone is really the best color for her.

While many sites, including ours, make selection easier for the consumer by lumping the body color and overtone colors together, they are separate things. The body color of a pearl is the primary color and is usually white or cream for Akoya pearls. Cream can be denoted as off-white, ivory, etc.. and white may be denoted as bright white, brilliant white, etc. A white body color is typically preferred over an ivory body color and makes the pearl more valuable.

The overtone color of a pearl is a subtle, translucent color that lies across a pearl's surface and is secondary to the body color. Overtone colors for Akoya pearls most commonly include rose and silver, though there are others.

The bottom line, my recommendation would be a white body color with a rose overtone.




Hi, I have one important question in buying the right pearls. I'am very fair skinned with red hair so I was going to go for the white pearls, but I think i might need a overtone like rose, but I have one problem, I need this pearl jewelry to go with every outfit I wear. So if I get a white with rose overtone will it go with all colors of clothes? And I saw your White Freshwater Set - 7.5mm AA+ on your site so I'm just wondering if this set is overtoned or not. Also is there such a thing as a green overtone?



Thanks, Tammi

[Satine De La Courcel]

[QUOTE=Tam]Hi, I have one important question in buying the right pearls. I'am very fair skinned with red hair so I was going to go for the white pearls, but I think i might need a overtone like rose, but I have one problem, I need this pearl jewelry to go with every outfit I wear. So if I get a white with rose overtone will it go with all colors of clothes? And I saw your White Freshwater Set - 7.5mm AA+ on your site so I'm just wondering if this set is overtoned or not. Also is there such a thing as a green overtone?



Hi Tammi,

I am als oa redheard I wear cream ones. white is good on me only with my darker outfits and the darker colors are between me and the pearls. I love my cream ones... The cram ones go with everything I have from ,yu pastels to my darks, casual wear and eveningwear! Hope it helps

Ashby

[National Pearl]

Hello Tammi,

We often have customers that express the same concerns in regards to purchasing a color/overtone that won't match most of their outfits. Rose overtone certainly is the best match for your skin color/hair, and because the rose overtones are quite gentle in most cases, they do not appear overtly "pink" but rather most people do not detect the rose overtone unless placed next to cream colored or a true white necklace. My wife also prefers the rose overtone and she matches it with most any outfit, except when prefering to wear black Akoya (which also match well with most any outfit).

All of that just to say, I wouldn't worry so much about matching your pearls with your outfits. Whomever you buy from, simply request that they provide a necklace with a very gentle rose overtone, so that it will compliment your complextion without contrasting with your favorite outfits.

Best of luck!

[purepearls]

Dear Tam,
White Freshwater pearls typically have very subtle overtones, if any. Freshwater pearls can have overtones including the subtle rose and silver. Many Freshwater pearls have more of a flat color which is the bodycolor with little overtones. The bodycolor of the Freshwater pearl can be white or cream, depending on what you prefer. Green overtones do exist, especially in Akoya pearls.

[Tam]

[QUOTE=Tam]Hi, I have one important question in buying the right pearls. I'am very fair skinned with red hair so I was going to go for the white pearls, but I think i might need a overtone like rose, but I have one problem, I need this pearl jewelry to go with every outfit I wear. So if I get a white with rose overtone will it go with all colors of clothes? And I saw your White Freshwater Set - 7.5mm AA+ on your site so I'm just wondering if this set is overtoned or not. Also is there such a thing as a green overtone?



Hi Tammi,

I am als oa redheard I wear cream ones. white is good on me only with my darker outfits and the darker colors are between me and the pearls. I love my cream ones... The cram ones go with everything I have from ,yu pastels to my darks, casual wear and eveningwear! Hope it helps

Ashby



Hi Ashby,


Thanks for the color advice. It helps me out a lot and I appreciate it, lol now I'm trying to find out if freshwater pearls will last if I wear them daily and if not then would ayoka pearls last if I wore them daily.


Thanks, Tammi

[Tam]

Hello Tammi,

We often have customers that express the same concerns in regards to purchasing a color/overtone that won't match most of their outfits. Rose overtone certainly is the best match for your skin color/hair, and because the rose overtones are quite gentle in most cases, they do not appear overtly "pink" but rather most people do not detect the rose overtone unless placed next to cream colored or a true white necklace. My wife also prefers the rose overtone and she matches it with most any outfit, except when prefering to wear black Akoya (which also match well with most any outfit).

All of that just to say, I wouldn't worry so much about matching your pearls with your outfits. Whomever you buy from, simply request that they provide a necklace with a very gentle rose overtone, so that it will compliment your complextion without contrasting with your favorite outfits.

Best of luck!


Hi Andrew,

Thanks for letting me know about the rose overtone and the outfit advice, thanks a bunch.


Thanks Tammi

[Zeide Erskine]

Hi Tammi,

If you intend to wear them, go for freshwater cultured pearls. They will last. If you just want to display a box and papers and keep your pearls locked up, go for akoyas since they will not hold up.

Zeide

[Tam]

Dear Tam,
White Freshwater pearls typically have very subtle overtones, if any. Freshwater pearls can have overtones including the subtle rose and silver. Many Freshwater pearls have more of a flat color which is the bodycolor with little overtones. The bodycolor of the Freshwater pearl can be white or cream, depending on what you prefer. Green overtones do exist, especially in Akoya pearls.


Hi Amanda,

Thank you for letting me know about the overtones. The advice is helping me decide on what color and overtone colors I would enjoy. Thanks a bunch.


Tammi

[Tam]

Hi Tammi,

If you intend to wear them, go for freshwater cultured pearls. They will last. If you just want to display a box and papers and keep your pearls locked up, go for akoyas since they will not hold up.

Zeide


Hi Zeide,

Thank you for your reply, this is very helpful considering I was thinking about changing my mind and getting ayoka since a freind of mine told me the freshwater would not last. So thanks again for letting me know.


Tammi

[Pearls_by_Angela_Carol]

Actually for the price that you were prepared to pay for the Akoya, you can get a great set of white Freshwater and a great set of peach or lavender...

Not many people seem to think about this color (lavender) until they actually see it. Without fail the reaction is "wow". To be honest with you this is fast becoming my absolute favorite color of pearl.

It has the advantages of being 100% nacre (since it is Freshwater), it is a naturally occuring color (not dyed), very unique, and looks equally as good on light skin and it does on darker skin tones.

[pattye]

Hi Stephen,

Those are lovely! Do you observe orient on the lavender like on the white?

Pattye Saab

[Pearls_by_Angela_Carol]

Hi Pattye - the short answer is yes. This is a result of the many layers of nacre that make up a Freshwater. The light reflects from deep within, giving it that prism effect.

[National Pearl]

Stephen,

Quite a nice necklace indeed. Thanks for sharing.

Tami,

I think it is good advice to go freshwater if you plan to wear them often. I don't remember anyone really explaining why they last longer. When people on the forum say that freshwater have "more nacre" they are referring to the actual pearl "skin" for lack of a better term. The freshwater are basically 100% nacre, whereas Akoya pearls have an artificial bead implanted in an oyster which after 8 + months, results in a bead with a relatively thin layer of nacre. It could possibly last a lifetime, but it would not become an heirloom, that is for sure. Many prefer the Akoya because of their uniform roundness and luster. They tend to have higher luster than freshwater. However, freshwater are becoming rounder and rounder all the time because of advances in culturing techniques, and since they are 100% nacre, they will certainly last longer.

Hope this helps :)

Best Regards,

[Zeide Erskine]

Hi Andrew,

Even a hanadama strand will deteriorate significantly within 10 years (or wear all the way down to the bead in case of larger pearls and highly treated smaller ones) while a freshwater strand of top quality will last for many lifetimes of daily wear.

Zeide

[Tam]

Actually for the price that you were prepared to pay for the Akoya, you can get a great set of white Freshwater and a great set of peach or lavender...

Not many people seem to think about this color (lavender) until they actually see it. Without fail the reaction is "wow". To be honest with you this is fast becoming my absolute favorite color of pearl.

It has the advantages of being 100% nacre (since it is Freshwater), it is a naturally occuring color (not dyed), very unique, and looks equally as good on light skin and it does on darker skin tones.


Hi Stephen,

Thank you for the picture, I also thought the peach and lavender colors were nice also, thanks for the advice.


Tammi

[Tam]

Stephen,

Quite a nice necklace indeed. Thanks for sharing.

Tami,

I think it is good advice to go freshwater if you plan to wear them often. I don't remember anyone really explaining why they last longer. When people on the forum say that freshwater have "more nacre" they are referring to the actual pearl "skin" for lack of a better term. The freshwater are basically 100% nacre, whereas Akoya pearls have an artificial bead implanted in an oyster which after 8 + months, results in a bead with a relatively thin layer of nacre. It could possibly last a lifetime, but it would not become an heirloom, that is for sure. Many prefer the Akoya because of their uniform roundness and luster. They tend to have higher luster than freshwater. However, freshwater are becoming rounder and rounder all the time because of advances in culturing techniques, and since they are 100% nacre, they will certainly last longer.

Hope this helps :)

Best Regards,

Hi Andrew,

Thank you for your reply, it definantly helps with the pearl buying.


Tammi

[Tam]

Hi Andrew,

Even a hanadama strand will deteriorate significantly within 10 years (or wear all the way down to the bead in case of larger pearls and highly treated smaller ones) while a freshwater strand of top quality will last for many lifetimes of daily wear.

Zeide


Hi Zeide,

Does top quality mean I have to get AAA grade freshwaters or is AA still good quality to wear daily and have it last a lifetime?



Thanks, Tammi

[Pearls_by_Angela_Carol]

Tami - I would like to comment on the question about AA quality vs AAA quality. First, be aware of the different grading scales of where you are buying. If the company uses A, AA, AA+ and AAA grades then you are getting the next to the lowest grade in Freshwater with an AA quality. IF the company also has an AAAA grade be wary. You will most likely be getting a lower grade than what other companies have at the same level. In other words their AAAA grade would be the same as everyone elses AAA grade (therefore you can not even compare their AAA grade to everyone elses AAA grade).

If the company uses the universally accepted AAA (three A) grading scale, the AA quality is still low. Look for AA+ or above. One large difference between AA, AA+ and AAA is the surface quality. AA grades will have about 85% of the surface that is inclusion free. AA+ will have about 90% of the surface that is inclusion free and AAA grades will have about 95% of the surface inclusion free. Also, there is a difference in roundness between the grades. While all of the freshwater pearls are all 100% nacre, they will all be as durable, it is only a question of surface quality, luster and roundness.

Personally I would not look for anything other than AA+ or AAA grades.

[Caitlin]

I would encourage yo to go with the AAA freshwater if this is to be your necklace and you want it to look good for many years and many generations of wear.

Right now, the prices are low compared to akoyas the same size. CFWP (Cultured Freshwater Pearls) are the best buy right now, because the market popularity has not caught up to the fast-improving quality of the culturing techniques. I think this is a unique situation in the history of cultured pearls and should not last, as more and more people see how high quality they are and compete to buy.

We consumers are lucky to be here and now, and have this knowledge- this imbalance in quality and price will probably not last.

[Tam]

Tami - I would like to comment on the question about AA quality vs AAA quality. First, be aware of the different grading scales of where you are buying. If the company uses A, AA, AA+ and AAA grades then you are getting the next to the lowest grade in Freshwater with an AA quality. IF the company also has an AAAA grade be wary. You will most likely be getting a lower grade than what other companies have at the same level. In other words their AAAA grade would be the same as everyone elses AAA grade (therefore you can not even compare their AAA grade to everyone elses AAA grade).

If the company uses the universally accepted AAA (three A) grading scale, the AA quality is still low. Look for AA+ or above. One large difference between AA, AA+ and AAA is the surface quality. AA grades will have about 85% of the surface that is inclusion free. AA+ will have about 90% of the surface that is inclusion free and AAA grades will have about 95% of the surface inclusion free. Also, there is a difference in roundness between the grades. While all of the freshwater pearls are all 100% nacre, they will all be as durable, it is only a question of surface quality, luster and roundness.

Personally I would not look for anything other than AA+ or AAA grades.

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

[Tam]

I would encourage yo to go with the AAA freshwater if this is to be your necklace and you want it to look good for many years and many generations of wear.

Right now, the prices are low compared to akoyas the same size. CFWP (Cultured Freshwater Pearls) are the best buy right now, because the market popularity has not caught up to the fast-improving quality of the culturing techniques. I think this is a unique situation in the history of cultured pearls and should not last, as more and more people see how high quality they are and compete to buy.

We consumers are lucky to be here and now, and have this knowledge- this imbalance in quality and price will probably not last.


Hi Caitlin,


Thanks for your advice on the freshwater quality, it helps out a lot in choosing the right pearls.


Thanks, Tammi

[Tam]

[QUOTE=Tam]Hi, I have one important question in buying the right pearls. I'am very fair skinned with red hair so I was going to go for the white pearls, but I think i might need a overtone like rose, but I have one problem, I need this pearl jewelry to go with every outfit I wear. So if I get a white with rose overtone will it go with all colors of clothes? And I saw your White Freshwater Set - 7.5mm + AAon your site so I'm just wondering if this set is overtoned or not. Also is there such a thing as a green overtone?



Thanks, Tammi[/QUOTE



Hi Terry,


I asked about your White Freshwater Set - 7.5mm + AA on your site a while back and I needed to know if it was more like a cream colored or overtoned since it's hard to tell looking at it online and also can I increase the length of the the necklace?



Thanks, Tammi

[Pearls_by_Angela_Carol]

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]

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.