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?
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

Originally Posted by robinmce

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.

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.

[jshepherd]

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



This is how it would wear.

[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!