[Valeria101]

'101' ? It took a second to figure out who that might be!

[Casey.R]

I am too Valeria

[Ashley]

Caitlin,

I do believe that you hit the nail right on the head when you were speaking earlier about slightly off-round shapes. The fact is that no matter which collection you decide upon (Freshadama, Elite, Presidential etc.), they are all considered Gem-Quality Freshwater pearls and as such will have natural variations in tone, shape and size. As lovers of organic gems (and for me, all gems!) to appreciate that variation is to love Nature As She Is...

[jerin]

Originally Posted by Ashley

Caitlin,

I do believe that you hit the nail right on the head when you were speaking earlier about slightly off-round shapes. The fact is that no matter which collection you decide upon (Freshadama, Elite, Presidential etc.), they are all considered Gem-Quality Freshwater pearls and as such will have natural variations in tone, shape and size. As lovers of organic gems (and for me, all gems!) to appreciate that variation is to love Nature As She Is...

Still - if I pay premiumm prices compared to all other Freshwater pearls, I think it is fair to expect MORE OF ROUNDNESS, SIZE, LUSTER - in short MORE of everything, at least in my opinion!

[Raisondetre]

I do agree that paying premium means you have higher expectations. I don't think Freshadamas or any of the loose sourced pearls would fall short on size, and I have certainly not seen a problem with luster. In terms of surface, there have been a few minor complaints about blemishes. Some were strands that did not make freshadama standards, and the problems were promptly corrected. I think there was a pair of earrings with a visible pit a long time ago. There would be a few in the strand, but not for earring quality - at least not on the non-mounted surface. There was no problem with that exchange. For shape, my strand definitely exceeds the 5% deviation. A few pearls are slightly off-round towards the end of the strand, but it does not qualify as egg-shaped, and it is only evident on close inspection, meaning standing at 3 feet away it looks perfectly round. It even looks round next to an Akoya strand. I like that as a reminder it's pure nacre. Overtones are however very personal. You either like it or you don't, and we all have different expectations. However, the online vendors here have been so good about exchanging or straight returns I find that I am more confident dealing with them than say a brick and mortar store with a discounted item that is non-returnable by virtue of the discount. (Yes, still smarting over the dyed freshwater, I guess I probably didn't overpay by that much seeing wholesale here isn't cheap.)

Bottomline, if you don't like what you see, you can always exchange or return it. The discounts offered online are generous enough to offset any postage. But do take that into account prior to ordering. If you would rather pay more to get a strand you can see in person, that's great as long as you realize what you're paying for. Having run a small business I don't pay for advertising and retail space just out of principle, even though I know it's hard for brick and mortar stores.

[happy pearl]

Casey - I am new to pearls and am interested in Freshdama. I am curious about how you like your exchange.