[Mervione]

I don´t really mind pearls that aren´t round, to me, the shape shouldn´t decide what quality the pearls are... To me, luster, blemishes, colours and eventual orient is what matters. Can I trust pearllunar about those 4 factors?

I am interested in round pearls too of course, might be worth checking with the people you mentioned when the time comes for me to buy pearls for what I make.

[Caitlin]

I was very pleased with the colors. There few blemishes visible to the naked eye. The luster on the exotic colors was excellent. I ordered from them once. Others on the forum have ordered too. They seem ok, so far. Don't spend more than you can risk-just in case, though you have Paypal protection up to 2k--I think. Correct me if needed about that.

I have not looked at Icomepacks at eBay for months, but I got some good colors from them also and bigger sizes. The skins on the purple/pink 10mm pearls from them were uneven, -sort of Kasumi-like roughness, which means faboo iridescence. I just put up a pictue of one of the Icomepacks pearls in the orient vs. water thread. I'll put it up here too.

[pattye]

Another ebay seller I have purchased from and over all been pleased with quality (but is not graded A-AAA) is PEARL EMPORIUM. "Dad" has improved his categories so one can usually find the better pearls, try the "High Quality Pearls" section. The nice thing here is he mentions the lustre, size, shape, how many pearls on a strand. Under $20 per strand generally. Good return policy also. The way the listings are written are way too wordy for me, but still worth consideration.

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[Mervione]

I guess I have to ditch the whole grading thingy if going for buying pearls at eBay. Maybe when I can grade myself...

I kinda like that pearl, Caitlin, I´m actually not a big fan of kasumi-pearls (Ooops, maybe I shouldn´t post that, seems there are many people here that likes them...) but on the other hand I´m a big fan of orient... I looked around on their eBay page and I bookmarked it for later, thanks.

Pattye, I didn´t find PEARL EMPORIUM on eBay... May I have a link? Sounds like it´s worth a look.

I´ve been thinking more of a name for my "business" (That sounds way too professional right now...) and I think it might be a good idea to use Mervione in it since that´s my name here? People would recognize me.

[pattye]

Let's see--try seller search under Charlotte8266, or advance search under the store name, Pearl Emporium, again. Check the box that says store name only, otherwise it won't come up. I forgot to do that the first time. Sorry I am lousy at links!

As far as a business name, I just use my name also, it works fine. But I do admire the interesting names some come up with.

PM me if this doesn't work, I will give you some item numbers that will pull it up.

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[jerin]

Hi Mervione and Caitlin,

with the discussions going on about the quality of Pearllunar´s pearls I can tell you just this:

if you look in the thread "Show us your pearls" I especially made a point of taking a picture of the lavender coloured necklace, post "The one of a kind" and in the text I told that it was from Pearllunar. However, this is their very best grade, the AAAA..... really round to the eyes, I had some discussions with them on the object and I did mention that I did not like calling their pearls "very round" if they just reach what we call "egg- or potatoshaped". I bought the necklace, I don´t know wheter they sell loose pearls in this quality, however, they come not that cheap..

[Mervione]

I think I might go for one of the vendors on the forum, that way I´ll know for sure I´ll get nice pearls...

I am also wondering where to get drop shaped fresh waters? I´ve only seen round, off rounds and baroques that´s not drop formed at all at their homepages.

[pearlescence]

Do you want the drop pearls with a half drill hole so you can set in a peg or do you want them with a peg already in place?
You'll need to know before you order

[Mervione]

I´d like them top tripped and half drilled without pegs. (What are the pegs for? Is it like a pin?)

[pearlescence]

top tripped?
the peg is the finding which fits into the pearl. They usually have a little cup and a loop so the pearl can be hung from an earring

[Mervione]

Top drilled, sorry. What metals are the pegs? Can they be gold and silver? Or maybe that depends on the vendor.

[pearlescence]

yes, can be either, or you can get them without a peg so you can fit your own if you want.

[Mervione]

I see.

Are drop shaped one cheaper than rounds? Even though people usually want rounds (Part of why they are more expensive, except for rarity, right?) drop shaped ones are pretty rare right? Considering it´s a defined shape and not an unidentifyable shape like some baroques are. If that makes sense?

[pearlescence]

As pairs of loose pearls for studs/drop shaped dangling earrings they come out similar in cost - but then these are paired up and usually of at least AA quality if not better, so buying button studs or pairs of drops is nearly always going to be much dearer than a strand (although thinking about it how do you compare....size, surface...lustre..shape..all too variable for any meaningful comparison)

[Mervione]

What if you buy drops fully drilled and on a hank? Could just use a head pin instead.