[Caitlin]

Yes, klonks are rare. They are not nucleated and have to live in mussels for years to get that big. Then most of them aren't very round by the time they get that size. I really high quality klonk goes for beaucoup bucks- maybe similar to Tahitians- though I am not positive about that.

[pattye]

Those are just FAB!!!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[Perle]

Wow, really big and pretty colors, too. Nice!

Perle

[Casey.R]

Wow those are huge! Nice colors too

[perlas]

Originally Posted by Nerida

Hi - I think your klonks are pretty cool. They made me whip mine off from around my neck - mine look very similar, bought in China, largest pearl 14.8, most around 13.5.... I love mine, and they have the most amazing orient for inexpensive pearls. Won't post photos, coz they truly look nearly identical. Did you buy yours from a local seller?? Do we ever talk prices on the forum?? Sorry if that's bad form, not sure of the rules... Thanks, and I hope you love wearing yours!

Hi Nerida,
I just bought it from a local seller (in Greenhills, actually!). I think you can discuss price in the forum, I just don't usually do because I'm at advantaged location and prices in South East Asia are different. Caitlin was able to buy her black FW klonks at US$10, though. Sometimes, it's cheaper if I buy locally than in HK, although the FW pearls here actually comes from HK or China. It's not like I'm buying a hank, anyway! I think it's because the local sellers have been in the pearl business since I could remember and they buy in one big bulk and split the loot among themselves!

[perlas]

Thanks, everyone! I like the klonk a lot and wearing it for one day makes people stare!

Caitlin, they do cost a bit more (or the same) than the small tahitians and south seas (8mm-11mm). However, the quality of klonks are improving! A year ago, the klonks have bullet-shaped pearls and are dull. Now, they start to become round and shiny! I even saw very shiny perfect rounds of 13mm-14mm. But maybe they're available at the Tucson Show as well.

[Bodecia]

Yes, klonks are rare. They are not nucleated and have to live in mussels for years to get that big. Then most of them aren't very round by the time they get that size. I really high quality klonk goes for beaucoup bucks- maybe similar to Tahitians- though I am not positive about that.

Hi All, Caitlin do you mean top quality klonks are rare and expensive and some even similar in price to Tahitians?? It is so hard to buy from China due to so many dishonest practices on eBay from China. I know buying from China via eBay is not a good idea but in Australia it is very hard to find any reasonably priced FW pearls and even harder for konks. Never even seen any in jewellery shops, except imitiation shell pearls. Saw an imitation SS very baroque necklace for around $300. WOW high price and they had another gross vivid multi-coloured strand for the same price. That was horrid. Others at least looked good.

I was going thru my Klonks earlier and spotted some that were obviously nucleated and will recheck but I am sure they were. I will take a hammer to one of the worst ones to make sure. I can understand paying high prices for non nucleated FW klonks but not nucleated when one mussel grows many, many at a time.

Bodecia

[pattye]

Hi Caitlin and Bodecia and all,

Not certain I understood correctly, but--I think with bead nucleation in freshwater pearls, they cannot put in nearly as many as they can when using tissue only in the mantle. Plus they are putting the bead + tissue in a different place in the mussel. So I suspect the prices will stay pretty high for the top quality bead-nuked freshwater. Maybe one of our freshwater experts will chime in here with accurate details.

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[Caitlin]

I got my $10 klonk 3 years ago. It has a nice luster, but the dye cracked the skins on most of them.

United States Pearl had a huge selection of really pretty klonks at the Gem show. Very round High luster, some blemishs but not bad. I wish I'd asked the prices!!!!