[YHammouda-Eyre]

Dear Pearl Guiders

we have received two good questions concerning consumer protection and buying Persian Gulf Pearls with certificates from Bahrain.


The first question: client is planning on buying Persian Gulf Pearl/s over the internet, how does she know that the certificate from the Bahrain laboratory is authentic?

Second question: how can she be sure, the pearl that is received, is in fact the one in the certificate (with diamonds, the serial number of the diamond is etched on the diamond with laser, so it can be read under magnification and matched to the certificate's number). But what about the Persian Gulf Pearls?

Good questions, it's always safer to err on the side of caution especially when it comes to buying pearls. Any imput from the PGuiders on the Pearl Guide Forum would be very much appreciated.

with regards
Yvonne Hammouda-Eyre
__________________

www.antique-jewelry-investor.com

[DrTKStern]

Originally Posted by YHammouda-Eyre

Dear Pearl Guiders

we have received two good questions concerning consumer protection and buying Persian Gulf Pearls with certificates from Bahrain.


The first question: client is planning on buying Persian Gulf Pearl/s over the internet, how does she know that the certificate from the Bahrain laboratory is authentic?

Second question: how can she be sure, the pearl that is received, is in fact the one in the certificate (with diamonds, the serial number of the diamond is etched on the diamond with laser, so it can be read under magnification and matched to the certificate's number). But what about the Persian Gulf Pearls?

Good questions, it's always safer to err on the side of caution especially when it comes to buying pearls. Any imput from the PGuiders on the Pearl Guide Forum would be very much appreciated.

with regards
Yvonne Hammouda-Eyre
__________________

www.antique-jewelry-investor.com

Hello, Yvonne,

I regularly use the Bahrain Lab, under Director Ali Safar, and believe it is excellent. On the question of authenticity, the buyer by tradition usually has the right to recertify before paying. For a simple laboratory number, you could call the Bahrain lab to ask if they issued such a report.

At this time I am not aware of laser etching; but this may begin soon.

Regards,
Tom

[Caitlin]

The lab in Bahrain has a sterling reputation. Bahrain is the last stand of natural pearls. It is against Bahraini law to bring cultured pearls into the country to try to sell them there. Bahrain is the only place in the world that allows only natural pearls. They really take their pearls seriously and have a high level of integrity.

Is the seller in Bahrain?

[DrTKStern]

Originally Posted by Caitlin

The lab in Bahrain has a sterling reputation. Bahrain is the last stand of natural pearls. It is against Bahraini law to bring cultured pearls into the country to try to sell them there. Bahrain is the only place in the world that allows only natural pearls. They really take their pearls seriously and have a high level of integrity.

Hi, All,

At Jewellery Arabia, I have personally seen that hundreds of thousands of cultured pearls are allowed into Bahrain by their Customs for sale, in stark contrast to official regulations, as set out by Caitlin. Maybe the rest of the year they hew to their law.

Best regards,
Tom

[Caitlin]

Thanks for the update. Though it makes me sad. Another ideal smashed....

[Orient]

I think you will find that the cultured pearls are only allowed into Bahrain during Jewellery Arabia because they have to be otherwise it could not be regarded as an "international" jewellery show covering all aspects of the trade. The cultured pearls are limited though. Only mounted in items. There are supposed to be no rows or loose pearls available, so there are still not the quantity seen in other shows. The customs are also supposed to seal the pearls and make sure they leave the country. This means that no local citizens or expats living in Bahrain should be able to buy them, hence protecting the local market. Rules are always broken though!

[PersianPearls]

Hi, I have seen quite a few certificates issued by the Bahraini lab, the certificates seem authentic in that they have the hollographic hallmark, however the picture on the certificate is not really much to go by, as in I'm not sure how one would match the picture on the certificate to the actual pearl. I suppose one could measure the pearl and compare to the dimensions specified on the certificate. Anyone any other ideas?

[DrTKStern]

Originally Posted by PersianPearls

Hi, I have seen quite a few certificates issued by the Bahraini lab, the certificates seem authentic in that they have the hollographic hallmark, however the picture on the certificate is not really much to go by, as in I'm not sure how one would match the picture on the certificate to the actual pearl. I suppose one could measure the pearl and compare to the dimensions specified on the certificate. Anyone any other ideas?

Hi,

Welcome to Pearl-Guide. Anyone trading natural pearls should have a scale accurate to 3 places to the right of the decimal, and should request reports that weigh the pearl to such precision. Using weights of the pearls to .001 of a carat improves confidence that you have the right cert for that pearl, surely better than measurement of sizes in millimeters. Scales like that cost about $1,000 and must be placed on a hard, stable surface, since even puffs of air will change the readings.

Where do you live?

Regards,
Tom Stern,MD

[PersianPearls]

Originally Posted by DrTKStern

Hi,

Welcome to Pearl-Guide. Anyone trading natural pearls should have a scale accurate to 3 places to the right of the decimal, and should request reports that weigh the pearl to such precision. Using weights of the pearls to .001 of a carat improves confidence that you have the right cert for that pearl, surely better than measurement of sizes in millimeters. Scales like that cost about $1,000 and must be placed on a hard, stable surface, since even puffs of air will change the readings.

Where do you live?

Regards,
Tom Stern,MD

Hi, I'm in the UK. the certificates from the bahrain lab only show the weight to two decimal places. Surely there must be an easier way of matching the pearl to the certificate than having to have such a scale, right?

[DrTKStern]

Originally Posted by PersianPearls

Hi, I'm in the UK. the certificates from the bahrain lab only show the weight to two decimal places. Surely there must be an easier way of matching the pearl to the certificate than having to have such a scale, right?

Hello,

The labs usually have records to 0.001 carats, and you can ask that to be put on the cert. An old sheikh pearl dealer told me, "To be a pearl trader requires 3 things. A lot of passion. A lot of time. And a lot of money." Inasmuch as an individual pearl can go for upwards of $10,000, care with the issue you raise is critical. Spending for the scale is, in my opinion, a wise expenditure; and even then, by tradition the buyer can condition his payment on a recert from the same or different lab.

Best regards,
Tom

[PersianPearls]

Hi Tom,

I must admit that I'm a little bit disappointed that it is neccessary to have very expensive equipment as the only way of checking the pearls. I suppose what you say would make sense for purchases of the $10000 range. unfortunately i do not fit in that bracket (i'm sub $1000 at best), so it looks like i'm stuck with the old saying "in the pear merchant we trust" !

[DrTKStern]

Originally Posted by PersianPearls

Hi Tom,

I must admit that I'm a little bit disappointed that it is neccessary to have very expensive equipment as the only way of checking the pearls. I suppose what you say would make sense for purchases of the $10000 range. unfortunately i do not fit in that bracket (i'm sub $1000 at best), so it looks like i'm stuck with the old saying "in the pear merchant we trust" !

Hi,

For pearls of lower value, your style is just fine. Use a scale to two decimal points, measure and compare carefully, read the descriptions carefully, and if photographs are on the reports and seem identical (now standard), you will be pretty confident your cert in hand refers to that pearl.

One of the reasons I enjoy pearl trading is the sturdy characters of the people involved, who stand behind their promises and their pearls. I have NEVER had someone try to cheat me, but problems can arise when inventories can get mixed up, interpretations differ, or opinions vary.

If you encounter nice natural pearls, please contact my son, also Tom, VP of Sales for our company. 510-331-7746

Best wishes,
Tom

[PersianPearls]

Hi,

I tried to find what your company's name is, but i'm afraid I didn't get far just from the phone number.

[DrTKStern]

Originally Posted by PersianPearls

Hi,

I tried to find what your company's name is, but i'm afraid I didn't get far just from the phone number.

www.sternpearls.com This is our website. My son will be glad to work with you in any way you require.

[YHammouda-Eyre]

Thankyou Dr Stern
and the Pearl guiders who
offered their opinion and guidance
on these questions about consumer protection
when buying persian gulf pearls.
I have added a link to this thread on my website.

Dr Stern your website is as visually stunning as the pearls are.
Thanks again.

Yvonne
_____________

www.antique-jewelry-investor.com