[Pearl_dreams]

I have the white Freshadama dangle earrings from PP and I got them one mm larger than my 7-8mm Freshadama strand. I like how they look.

I'm 52, and 5'4"-- while I do wear and enjoy that strand I mentioned, I really prefer my 8-9mm size pearls. Like others here, I'm finding larger is better.

You said you wished you could see the pearl sizes side by side. Check out this page's photos"
http://www.pearlparadise.com/pearlsizeguide.html

[Sueki]

Hi Zb32,
Welcome to the forum.
I guess I, too, am about the same age as your mother and I can tell you that I very rarely wear a single strand of pearls these days.
I like longer ropes, and two or three strands worn together.
I will also quite happily wear strands of different pearls together, just because they look good and I feel that I can get away with being a bit more cranky nowadays.....
The beauty of a rope is that it's so versatile and can be worn in so many ways.
Whatever you decide, my best wishes to your parents on their anniversary.
(Wish my children had bought me pearls for mine....)

Mind you, my daughter has just given me the best pearl I could possibly wish for.
Her name is Isla Ellen and she is now 6 days old.....

[Raisondetre]

Originally Posted by Sueki

Mind you, my daughter has just given me the best pearl I could possibly wish for.
Her name is Isla Ellen and she is now 6 days old.....

Congrats! Don't you just love new babies?

[Caitlin]

Sueki
Congratulations on the birth of Isla Ellen! A pearl of a girl.....

I love your style of wearing pearls too!

Hi ZB 32 and welcome

Aproaching elder age and being 5'7" calls for commanding pearls, large, size 9-10mm and over, AAA or even AA if you can't manage Freshadamas at that size. The AA AAA are both gorgeous compared to anything you will find in a local jewelry store or dept store and around 1/10th the price.

[zb32]

Thanks everybody.
pearlescence: thanks for the advice, but my dad is covered already, plus he's not into jewelry, accessories, or even nice clothes.

It's hard to say whether my mom is traditional or eccentric, we couldn't afford any jewelry before coming to the US few years ago, so I haven't seen her wear much of it.
If I was to step up to 9-10mm, then it would have to be AA+ grade. Since earings of AA+ grade are button shaped, should I expect pearls in a strand be noticably not round as well?
Also what about luster and iridescence? I couldn't find pictures of AA+ on the forum, everyone seems to be showing off their freshadamas
I'm sure my mom would be happy with either AAA or AA+, but I just want to estimate what would have a bigger "wow factor" for the buck.

[pearlescence]

I would go for bigger and slightly off round. Off round and with some flaws are only noticeably off round and with some slight flaws if you are looking closely at the pearls from a few inches away. The inexperienced eye just does not make out the lack of perfect round or tiny flaws
and buttons are my preference for ear studs too. I think anything but the smallest rounds tend to stick out too much
And as a mum, anything you decide will be lovely

[Valeria101]

Originally Posted by pearlescence

...buttons are my preference for ear studs too.

Since we're talking: isn't it funny that almost no one sells button-shaped studs as a separate, finer category of baroque? Not to say, finer category full-stop - it really is so obvious that is the best shape for studs And this, while the largest freshwaters are often buttons to boot!

[pattye]

Hi ZB 32,

The difference in the grades you mentioned would be very slight, and only with strands side by side would you be able to discern a small difference in lustre, perhaps a few more small marks on some of the pearls, you might even have a difficult time seeing any difference at all. I think you will get a beautiful strand without overspending, and your Mom will be Thrilled!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time