[knotty panda]

Hi Spherical:

Re: Glue. Pearl Paradise doesn't use glue so I'm not sure what you are seeing.

Re: Length: When purchasing pearls, you have to take into consideration not only the length of the strand, but the size of the pearls. Larger pearls create a smaller circumference. Your pearls don't look huge, but an 8MM strand of 16" can be a very tight fit as opposed to a 6MM strand.

Re: Orient: I was under the impression that round pearls do not display orient as vividly as baroques, etc. I do have freshadamas and they do display orient, but its not extremely pronounced.

I have to agree with Sueki. If you are not satisfied, no amount of justification will help. Also, LOVE THAT CLASP!

[Spherical Flower]

More pictures later....

The length of the necklace is 16 inches.

I find it to be too short for my neck, even after it's been worn a few times. I figured that 18 inches would be too long, so my best length would be about 17 inches.

Scince i've already decided to send the strand back, im prolly going to have them restring the necklace with completely different pearls (strong rose overtones) at about a 17 inch length.

I am also now considering a different clasp, because this one seems way too difficult to open and close on my own.

Call me picky, but this is going to be worn on my wedding day,
and like everyone understands, it needs to be just right.

[Satine De La Courcel]

Reqally owrk withthen I am sure PP will work for you and sicne Jeremy sets his standards high, I am sure he and his staff do waht it takes to be perfect for your wedding say as well....

Good Luck and Congratulations
I want to see wedding pics!

cheers
Ash

[airdancer]

Hmmm...I sort of know where you are coming from since these are wedding day pearls - everything has to be perfect.

[jerin]

Originally Posted by knotty panda

Hi Spherical:

Re: Glue. Pearl Paradise doesn't use glue so I'm not sure what you are seeing.

Also, LOVE THAT CLASP!

Knotty,
you could be wrong there, maybe they don´t use it anymore but they certainly have done so before, as I had questions about the glue they used.

I too think this clasp is very lovely. It seems to be a fish hook, the most safe type you can get, the point is that it should not open easily, even though I myself have difficulties in opening these clasps.

[knotty panda]

Originally Posted by jerin

Knotty,
you could be wrong there, maybe they don´t use it anymore but they certainly have done so before, as I had questions about the glue they used.

You're absolutely correct. Let me rephrase. In the all of 3 strands which they knotted and PG members disassembled to redesign, we found no glue. But! What's just 3 strands?

[Spherical Flower]

Well I sent the pearls back overnight to pp. They just called me today to discuss the matter but I missed the phone calls, and ended up with 2 voicemails. I've got to call her back as soon as I get the chance. She said that she found a strand with a strong rose overtone that has less blemishes and that she will personally swap some of the pearls for me to make sure I am happy and that she can make it 17 inches. Her concern is about the clasp, as it is not sitting right, and that even tho it's thier clasp, they can't fix it, so she's suggesting I replace the clasp with something else, and she recomends a ball clasp. Problem is I don't really like the ball style clasps, I dislike the look of polished metal balls and I just don't care for them, and I don't know how much more we can afford to put into this strand of pearls. A diamond encrusted ball clasp is gonna set us back like 600-1000 on top of the strand cost. I just don't know what to do. If anyone has any comments or questions please feel free to ask. If anyone wants to help me find clasps or decide on clasps from pp's website, send the links onover. Thanks.

[Caitlin]

Do they (PP) have brushed metal clasps?

[Spherical Flower]

On pp's website, I see 2 diamond encrusted ball clasps. There's one with the same type of closure, as the clasp I just had (that drove me nuts, because my fingernail had to be right on the line or it wouldn't open) it would be a push in closure I think. And then there's another one that's split in the center and screws together. I would prefer the screwing encrusted ball, but at $550.00 that's alot to spend on just the clasp. The size of the ball would have to be 9mm round, 10mm is too big for my strand size, and the metal of choice would be white gold.

Links:

Push-in encrusted ball:
http://www.pearlparadise.com/detail.aspx?ID=324

Screw together encrusted ball:
http://www.pearlparadise.com/detail.aspx?ID=1490

[Hanaleimom]

Here is the brushed/matte ball clasp. I used this with my exotic strand. It's not shiny and doesn't draw attention to itself. If that is what you are looking for.

http://www.pearlparadise.com/detail.aspx?ID=227

[Caitlin]

You beat me to it. It is only $28. or $34. That not too much and it takes the pressure off. You can always upgrade. Link

They also have a $225.00 diamond clasp

[Luckykelleyk]

May I ask, what is the neckline of your dress like? Based on my experience with my pearls and my wedding dress, and my sisters, if your dress is strapless, or not high cut, you may want to go with 18. IMO it still looks a little short with a strapless dress. (by the way, when is your wedding? Im just curious what your date is).

[Casey.R]

What about a bow clasp like the ones at the pearl outlet. Could they get one like that for you?

[Spherical Flower]

I've talked to them previously about ordering clasps I like. One clasp in particular was only available in 14kt yellow gold. They don't have any catalogues I can look through, they only have the online inventory they use through a manufacture. She couldn't find any of the clasps I liked, except for one, that was slightly different and only available in 14kt yellow gold.

As far as a ball clasp goes, it has to be a 9mm round size, it cannot be 10mm or larger as this is too large for my size of pearls. The only ball clasps I see on there website available in a 9 mm size are: a polished ball, a matte finish ball, and 2 different diamond encrusted ball clasps. I could choose a matte finish ball, or even the other diamond clasp that's priced at $225 but they both have the same style of push in closure as the previous clasp I had and it drove me crazy because I could not open the thing unless my finger nail landed exactly on the line.

So my options that I see are either a screwing diamond encrusted ball clasp (easy to open and close) or a white gold lobster claw clasp (easy to open and close, lack of style). I was thinking of a lobster claw clasp originally, but I like more style, to where the clasp can be shown off in the front of the necklace, if I choose to wear it that way.

So I guess it comes down to what we can afford right now. Yes I know I sound very picky, but this is afterall for a wedding. The wedding is in the fall and my dress will have a higher neckline and is not strapless. I think a shorter strand length is more fitting, but I also need to make sure it can fit around my neck and that it isn't too short.

[Casey.R]

Well, I think a ball with a matte ball would be nice and basic. Someone else mentioned you could always upgrade in the future. I also like the ball with diamonds that screws together.