[Caitlin]

Perfect image. I for one have just reached saturation with non-Jeremy pearls.(Those commercial ones I used as a lowly beader) Except for one order, I do not intend to buy at the gem show this time round.

[Valeria101]

Originally Posted by jerin

.. it would be interesting to know whether the ones with ivory tones are not or less bleached ...

The question was answered already. But why would it matter? More or less bleached sounds like 'more or less pregnant' ...

[pandaexpress]

Hey Jeremy thanks for providing clarity on the Freshadma question - so does that mean the bleached Freshadama's current brilliant luster will not necessarily last as long as the unbleached ones?

Also does bleaching affect the pearl's longevity or affect its degradation / deterioration compared to not bleaching?

Thanks for the continued education - can't wait to see the multi-colored exotics with Valentine's Day approaching...
Tony

[Pearl_dreams]

"pearl shark" here, showing my pearly whites

[jshepherd]

Originally Posted by pandaexpress

Hey Jeremy thanks for providing clarity on the Freshadma question - so does that mean the bleached Freshadama's current brilliant luster will not necessarily last as long as the unbleached ones?

Also does bleaching affect the pearl's longevity or affect its degradation / deterioration compared to not bleaching?

Thanks for the continued education - can't wait to see the multi-colored exotics with Valentine's Day approaching...
Tony

Answering the deterioration question would take a lot of room and a lot of references. I would like to see something about that and it would be something Hanni or Strack could probably delve into.

Bleaching and other chemical treatments increase the luster and this is not permanent, unfortunately. This is true for every freshwater pearl strand and akoya pearl strand coming out of Asia. To buy untreated you must purchase at a materials level, and buy untreated intentionally. This material would not be transformed into wholesale stock because the sellers would not be able to get a 'good' price for it. So in order to buy untreated materials, it is almost as if the buyer must buy what is considered inferior goods for a premium price.

So all the strands, 100% of them, that are sold wholesale as hanks in China, Japan, Tucson, and Vegas have been treated with bleach and other chemicals.

Even buying untreated material one has to select the pearls that have a naturally high luster to make nice strands. The color will be a little creamier, and the luster would not be as deep and the shine not as sharp as it possibly could be. For the most part the pearls that are bright and lustrous were previously a bit dull.

There is a strong argument that akoya pearls cultured in Japan are always more lustrous than their Chinese counterparts. Some claim it is due to the colder climates. But it would make sense that the thicker nacre of Chinese akoya pearls (nacre deposits at more than twice the rate in China) would make up for this difference. But the real difference is in the processing. Factories in Japan have very good processing techniques which many Chinese factories (not all of them) lack. It really just comes down to the processing. The same goes for freshwater pearls.

[jerin]

Originally Posted by Valeria101

The question was answered already. But why would it matter? More or less bleached sounds like 'more or less pregnant' ...

Well, I fail to see how you can compare a pregnancy to pearls being bleached, it occurs to me that a longer bleaching period perhaps hurts the pearls more than if they are bleached for a shorter period of time. And by that I mean freshwater pearls, even with 100% nacre the treatment will not last permanently and that could obviously mean that the pearls look worse than before the bleaching and other treatments eventually. (I do hope I am wrong, but so far I haven´t seen anyone answering this in a satisfying way.

Just my thoughts on the subject.

[Perle]

Wait a second. The exotics are coming out next week???

Jeremy, will you give us a warning e-mail like last time? Please??

Perle

[Valeria101]

Originally Posted by jerin

Well, I fail to see how you can compare a pregnancy to pearls being bleached...

I wasn't (sorry for opaque writing): just trying to say that even less invasive treatment is still treatment and the difference between no treatment at all and any extent of it seems more prominent no matter what the treatment is. Clearly, there is a large difference between how invasive (or trans formative) treatments are, but they are all 'treatments'.

I find it difficult to find middle ground between treatment and not treated, just as there isn't any middle state between being pregnant and not - that's what the comparison meant to say.

Probably a rather radical view... Not very reasonable if you want your pearls white.

[Pearl_dreams]

If the choice were buying duller and less white (and pricier, because not available in bulk quantities due to low demand) unbleached pearls vs. buying more lustrous, whiter and cheaper bleached pearls, let's face it-- most customers would prefer to buy the more lustrous and whiter ones. And that is why the Chinese suppliers bleach and do the other luster treatments. Because it all boils down to what most of the customers want.

If this means the pearls' luster don't last as long, then we will have to resign ourselves to buying more pearls eventually. Which we would probably do anyway!

There is always a trade-off.

[Valeria101]

Originally Posted by Pearl_dreams

If the choice were buying duller and less white (and pricier, because not available in bulk quantities due to low demand) unbleached pearls vs. buying more lustrous, whiter and cheaper bleached pearls...

Maybe... maybe not. One might also think that the finest pearls could be saved from the bleach and given a special fate (and price) reflecting both their beauty and durability - as it happens for all precious stones. Think what the soft rhodocrosite costs compared with the durable sapphire of equally vivid pink color - they are worlds apart for a reason, aren't they.

After all, most of those pearls are still being handled one by one for drilling and what not (or is allot automated these days?). If so, there must be some stage in processing where the selection could be made, and some price point where it is worth it.

I cannot believe that appearance is everything about pearls - if so, it is a unique case.

[youngster]

Yes, I'd appreciate a warning e-mail too, Jeremy. I almost missed out on the baroque akoyas last time around!

[xeresana]

Ack! Jeremy, you are killing me! Your release is coinciding with a terribly busy time for me at work. Any chance you are releasing tomorrow? I'm actually OFF tomorrow so, that would work. Otherwise, this could get tricky.

[boo]

Originally Posted by xeresana

Ack! Jeremy, you are killing me! Your release is coinciding with a terribly busy time for me at work. Any chance you are releasing tomorrow? I'm actually OFF tomorrow so, that would work. Otherwise, this could get tricky.

LOL - xeresana, I feel your pain - I am also working extra days right now. If the release comes on one of those days, I am planning on asking my poor mother to get online in my stead (we have no interent access at my job) and pick something she thinks I would like - she is none too pleased at the "pressure" of making such a decision On the bright side, I don't think I could possibly be disappointed with anything she might pick!

[pernula]

I haven't received any warning email or actual email about the exotics. Any one else has any idea? Just nervous about missing something this big...

Thanks,
Pernula

[pandaexpress]

I was talking to Jeremy today - it's definitely still happening - looks like next week - you guys don't want to miss it if you're into exotics - it's sumptuous. I'm sure he will get something out via the private email list he has before the special. If you're not sure you're on that private email list - send him a private message.

Happy shopping!