Newby needs advice

[miked]

Hello Everyone,
I appreciate being able to benefit from all the wonderful experience you have here in the Forum. I have learned a lot so far.

I am in the process of buying a very special gift for a special person on a special birthday! A strand of white pearls have been requested I want to get the best i possible can. I have done a lot of research and I would like to know your opinions about really good freshwater pearls (Freshamada, etc.) vs Akoyas. I want a classic really white, 18" strand in the 8mm range. I have looked at the "Sea Magic by Mikimoto" line at Jared's, but I am a little leary about getting the best value at a retail shop.

Any opinions, given my unrealistic expectations of perfection:), on which direction I should go? Really good "fresh" or Akoyas. The Hamadama in the size I want will be over my budget.

Many thanks and look forward to your replies.

[Caitlin]

A freshadama is an excellent choice, because it is a beautiful pearl for less ($720)than the equivalent hanadamas cost, which would be between 2 and 3k. LINK for freshadamas (http://www.pearlparadise.com/85-90-mm-White-Freshadama-Freshwater-Pearl-Necklace751.aspx)

The new line of natural colored akoyas is really beautiful. The natural whites are stunning as are the other natural colors. A necklace is around $2k in white for 8.0+, less in other natural colors blue or gold.

The freshadama is a great deal, in my opinion.


(http://www.pearlparadise.com/8085-mm-Exotic-Metallic-Freshwater-Pearl-Necklace3304.aspx)

[GemGeek]

If you can afford this one, it will be a much better strand than the Sea Magic. These are really beautiful high-grade natural white akoyas. ;)

http://www.pearlparadise.com/7580-mm-AAA-Natural-White-Akoya-Pearl-Necklace3140.aspx

[Pearl Dreams]

This is a link to a neck shot of my 7-8mm Freshadama strand, so you can get an idea of what they look like (photographed in natural light indoors) :

http://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/album.php?albumid=68&pictureid=651

[Heidi]

And here is another reference in terms of luster and color - a LINK (http://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/show-us-your-pearls/2519-my-tiny-but-growing-collection.html#post37537) to my post about the City Strand I purchased from PP. I describe the things in the room where I took the photo which are reflected in the way the pearls photograph - the strand really is silvery white in appearance but definitely picks up colors from the surrounding environment, which is a good thing. :-)

[miked]

I appreciate the replies I have gotten so far. The photos really help. It seems that the Freshadamas are really quite consistent in roundness and quality. I think this is still going to be a tough decision, but they should all be so tough! I'll finish up my posting after the big day and I will put up a photo then, too. Thanks all!