[pearlpunk]

hiya there

i have been wondering about the size of the pearls for my triple strand and thus far have relied only on visualization. i am considering that maybe i should use 10 mm pearls instead. but i do have a very particular look in mind.

i tried contacting some merchants and thus far only jeremy from pearl paradise and amanda from pure pearl replied to my inquiries.

i contacted angela carol but have not heard back from them.

do you have pics? can i see..??

Originally Posted by youngster

I'll be very interested to see what you end up with pearlpunk. I have a strand of 8 -9 mm freshadamas (18") and a 33" custom 8 -9 mm strand that I can wear as a double strand. I can put both of these strands together for a triple strand, which I have only done once. It's a very formal, dressy look and quite a statement. I also have a single strand 10-11 mm freshadama strand as well. All provide different looks and are quite versatile. I'm not sure I'd go any bigger than 8 - 9 mm for a triple strand. It's rather heavy all strung together and, as I said, a very formal look.

I also have a strand of freshwater baroques. They are something like 10 - 11.5 mm though seem much larger visually than my 10 -11 freshadama strand. Have you though about using some of those to make a double or triple strand? They are very affordable, relative to the freshadamas. My husband likes them as much as the freshadamas. And, as I said, they do appear larger than the perfectly round ones.

[salem]

Hello,

Just my humble two cents, but you might want to request pictures on a neck. Sometimes I find it hard to judge from just the strand.

Maybe if you could find a picture of what you are imagining, it might help the suppliers out. A triple strand of 10 mm pearls would look rather over powering on me (5'3"). I have an nice Akoya double strand at 7-8 mm and if I bought a triple, I might even go down a size. Although I would probably want to compare just to be sure.

[aerinha]

I think it depends what you want the wear the necklace for. If it's for a formal gown/event I think as long as you felt confident so that you were wearing the necklace instead of it wearing you the larger size would be fine. If you're looking to wear it in an office situation I would go much smaller.

I'm 5'4" and my double strand of 7-8mm is the perfect size. I own a 10.5 ungraduated single strand of freshwaters and I have to say they are the largest I would want to go so I can't imagine myself wearing 3 strands of that size or larger. That being said my graduated SS strands with the center pearl being 13mm doesn't make me feel as weighed down as the ungraduated.

I guess what I'm saying is, for me, it would depend on where I planned to wear the necklace and my level of comfort.

[Casey.R]

You could always go to a department store and try on that size first just to see how it looks. I'm pretty small boned and about 5'6. I used to think I could only wear smaller delicate pearls and pendants. Now that I've tried larger strands though I really like them. I'd wear 12mm in single strand for sure.

[Sueki]

I wear two of Pearl Paradise's large baroque necklaces together - one 16 inch and one 18 inch - and I fully intend to wear three together when my latest order of a 21 inch necklace arrives here.
They are quite the largest pearls that I own, and, surprisingly, maybe, I think they look great.
Mind you, I'm getting on a bit and the large pearls flatter my ageing neck. Well, I like to think so....

[youngster]

Hi pearlpunk,
I don't have any photos (though I might be able to take some by this weekend and post). Casey's idea is a good one. Go and try on the fakes at a department store. I've done that, to get an idea of size. Or, just march yourself into a jewelry store and try on 8 and 9 mm strands. Sueki's idea is also a good one, of two large freshwater baroque strands together. For sure, my freshwater baroque strand from PP is larger visually than my 10-11 mm freshadama strand.

[jshepherd]

Check out the pictures Pure Pearls posted here as well. That was a great idea.
http://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/showthread.php?p=15272

[pearlpunk]

thanks guys!

jeremy, i just saw that thread and posted a reply. in fact they were the same pictures amanda emailed me in response to my triple strand inquiry. so it is great to be able to get others to chime in with their thoughts!

sueki, the baroque idea is beginning to grow on me. i can definitely see myself doing exactly that. getting major large baroques and stack them together like that. definitely. hmmmm.... maybe if the price is not right for the one i am planning for i might do baroque as plan B. or even after the rounds, i will work on getting baroque for sure.

salem, i did request for modelling pics from merchants, but have only heard from amanda's pearl paradise so far. i think angela carol has some pieces modelled on a bust, and some merchants were not able to model for me.

aerinha, my work environment does not allow me to dress elegantly, well, at least i don't feel comfortable doing so. i work in what in the US is known as social services. i deal mainly with probationers of various kinds, but mostly juvenille. but i do enjoy dressing up. so i make up for it outside of work time! especially when my husband has some swanky thing to go to thus the large triple strand

casey, congrats on moving on to larger pearls!!

youngster, i am so exhausted from work, i can't be bothered going out into the shops in the weekend (it is like a zoo out there in the weekend) and can't do so after work either as i often work late (i know.... and you wonder why there are high burn out rate for my profession.... sigh).

i also found that my initial estimation of my stature was a bit off. i am in fact about 5'4 and 116 pounds. when i was in new york they gave me a 5'5'' graduation robe and in a health check i weight 111 pounds but that was 3 years ago!! and the robe was an estimate so i am slightly shorter and thicker than i had originally estimated so i am beginning to think that maybe i should aim for the 10-11 mm rather than 11-12 mm triple strand.

10 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm, ginormous baroques..... still mulling.... (but definitely large single strand freshadamas!!! or elite)