[pmorna742]

I hope I'm posting in the right section. Please say if I'm not.

I'm looking for a source of silver/grey pearls to go with gem quality dark blue/greyish marquise cut fluorite beads. I'm sure I saw a strand of low-end baroque silver akoyas on Pearl Paradise last night, but I can't find them today. Does anyone have a recommendation for suppliers of loose/strands of pearls in this colour? Or, in fact, for good quality pearls in general. I can't really justify going back to Hong Kong in March, and until I'm more knowledgeable about pearls in general, it'd be sensible not to buy directly from China. They see me coming a mile away, and I HATE bargaining! Pearllunar on Ebay has a freshwater strand (probably dyed, since they don't say otherwise), but I'm just a bit apprehensive of them too.

Morna

[pmorna742]

the fluorite bead

[pmorna742]

sorry! fluorite bead's shy tonight

Morna

[knotty panda]

Totally amazing fluorites ... http://www.migem.com/Categories/Fluorite/fluorite.htm

[GemGeek]

Fluorite is beautiful, but it's an accident waiting to happen. (Extremely soft and prone to breakage.) I'd wear it, but I wouldn't sell it to someone.

[pmorna742]

Originally Posted by knotty panda

Totally amazing fluorites ... http://www.migem.com/Categories/Fluorite/fluorite.htm

Yes, the flourite I have is the marquise below this batch.

Morna

[Raisondetre]

I don't think PP ever stocks "low-end" pearls. They may not be gem, but just because all the specifications are graded towards a standardized system doesn't mean they are low-end.

Most akoyas would not have any orient at all, and baroque akoyas are mostly blemished. There was only the one elusive #100 which scored high in all categories. My heart still bleeds to think that I missed out. The luster is almost always metallic, though there is a difference between medium and good luster. As for shape, it's baroque, and they are not traditionally priced high, so just because it's under $200 doesn't mean it's low-end. The baroque Akoyas I got have to be the most unique and beautiful pieces ever, and according to Kirsten whatever's left won't be restocked for another year at least. Sorry to be pedantic.

[pmorna742]

Originally Posted by GemGeek

Flourite is beautiful, but it's an accident waiting to happen. (Extremely soft and prone to breakage.) I'd wear it, but I wouldn't sell it to someone.

Hmm....I wouldn't put it in a bracelet, but necklace or earrings should be fine. Otherwise, I doubt that lapidaries would cut gem quality flourite.

Morna

[pmorna742]

[quote=Raisondetre]I don't think PP ever stocks "low-end" pearls. They may not be gem, but just because all the specifications are graded towards a standardized system doesn't mean they are low-end.

I actually meant that I thought the pearls I saw were "low end" for Pearl Paradise.

Morna

[GemGeek]

I didn't mean to criticize your choice of fluorite, just a friendly warning regarding durabiltiy.