[smetzler]

Nonetheless it is a surprise the necklace has not sold by now, especially as
the internet extends its visibility worldwide to buyers in the Persian Gulf,
Europe and Asia (who additionally can take advantage of the historically
weak dollar!).

Steve
Seattle

[Valeria101]

Originally Posted by smetzler

Nonetheless it is a surprise the necklace has not sold by now...

Well... why, when one can go to shop the relative 'bargain basement' of top auction houses, LOL!

[smetzler]

Correct, this is more appropriate auction material, or for retailers who have cultivated a natural pearl clientele. The NY retailer likely paid well below 10% of the asking price to the estate and would not be in a hurry to sell.

Steve
Seattle

[Ingykiz]

That necklace is amazing. I love the simple elegence of the linear style.
Can you imagine what 250k could buy from one of our respected forum vendors? Mmmm.....

[Valeria101]

Originally Posted by Ingykiz

Can you imagine what 250k could buy from one of our respected forum...

Almost anything, except THIS

Any pearl farm for sale, lately ? ROFL!

[Ingykiz]

Valeria101,
So true! That PP necklace is a museum piece. It should be seen by all who could appreciate the true natural beauty of each and every pearl on that strand. I bet it is a neck breaker!!!

[smetzler]

Fine, I'll bite. So if that fantastic SS round strand at PP is worth $500K, then why aren't the natural strands under current consideration worth $5M?

Steve
Seattle

[Valeria101]

Originally Posted by smetzler

... if that fantastic SS round strand at PP is worth $500K, then why aren't the natural strands under current consideration worth $5M?

Ha! What difference would that make ? (unless for selling posters)

[smetzler]

Museum pieces both, for sure!

Steve
Seattle

[Slraep]

Originally Posted by smetzler

Fine, I'll bite. So if that fantastic SS round strand at PP is worth $500K, then why aren't the natural strands under current consideration worth $5M?

Steve
Seattle

Steve, that is a very, very good question. I'm a little afaid to post my answer.

Slraep

[Slraep]

Hmmm...the PP one-of-a-kind necklace certainly is a beauty. And it has brought to mind a few other questions that have been bugging me for a while, which Jeremy can most probably answer for me.

In SS pearls of extraordinary sizes (21-22mm), how and where do they get the MOP nucleation beads in proportional extraordinary sizes? Are the cut and rounded MOPs one sold piece or are they composed of two hemi-spheres that are glued together??

Slraep

[jshepherd]

The nacre on those giant pearls is sure to be extremely thick, but large single nucleus is used. There is a shell, the Quadrula quadrula, which can produce large beads. Striations are ok as the nacre is thick enough to hide them. I have never heard of anyone using 2 halves. You can see how they are created here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iaMjIc9V4g

[DFrey]

Hi Jeremy,
Beautiful string of pearls, it definitely needs a special one off handmade clasp! How many years/ harvests would it take to collect the pearls to put together a necklace of this size and quality?

dfrey

[knotty panda]

You're comparing apples to oranges. Right now the trend in fashion is big is better. And SS is more of an attention grabber than natural. Right now.

[smetzler]

Originally Posted by knotty panda

…SS is more of an attention grabber than natural…

The industry itself cannot promote naturals as they are a non-renewable resource. Thus demand is shaped (à la DeBeers). Details abound no doubt among Slraep's 'unmentionables.'

Steve
Seattle