[Kathleen Conway]

Besides jewellery supply stores, if there is an Asian shopping area where you love, the sundries stores have them. They also carry small silk boxes that look just like fortune cookies, and open by pinching the top, perfect for storing earrings.

[Nerida]

The silk bags I use came from China -I bought some on ebay - I think the ebay store was called Oriental Fashion - they sold lots of different types of bags designed for jewellery, shoes, etc. etc. I think I bought about 20 for about $40 Australian. They did have single ones, but I would also be happy to send one to you! They are embroidered with flowers etc , some are just brocade - very "Chinese" - I can try to take a photo for you, but see if you can find the store on ebay to see if you like them..
Nerida

[lisamla]

I have a pearl and diamond pendent that I keep in the original box. I noticed when the box is closed the pearl is pinched by the top and bottom. Both pieces are soft and give a bit, but I can see an impression of the pearl in the case. I wonder if this is not good for the pearl. Can it reduce the luster or cause the pearl to peel? (its an akoya)

Thanks

[barbie biggs]

Perhaps one of the professionals amongst us will know the answer to this. I'm afraid that someday my pearls may be worth more if the whole package is intact. Pearls, clasp, box, original appraisal.
Isn't it true that the Miki's are more valuable, obviously with the original clasp, but also if still in the original box?
What if 50 years from now we have tahitians or freshadama(PP) or equivalent from a really good purveyor of pearls. Will the box matter? Of course I know that the size and quality make a difference from the git-go.
barbie

[knotty panda]

Doesn't anyone use pearl folders?

[Pearl_dreams]

What are pearl folders?

[lisamla]

I save all my receipts and original boxes for anything I consider nice - jewelry, silver and purses.

Are pearl folders the type of storage that literally has four sides that fold over the pearl and each other? The way you would close a storage box. I remember my grandmother had something like that.

[Reiah]

I had the same question - and was directed to this thread.

I'm running out of space in what my hubby calls: a "rather large" jewelry box. And I want to be able to see my pearls at a glance and choose the one I would wear. I do keep the nice boxes and bags that I receive, but I don't keep my pearls in them. Right now, the pearls are getting crowded and I'm thinking of a dedicated box or organizer for pearls only.

The first idea is to hang my strands in my closet. Does hanging the strand weaken the silk and would require restringing earlier than if I lay my strands flat?

The second idea is to get a separate organizer. I saw these nice trays at storables. You can stack them or you can buy a lid to cover the pearls, and they are stackable with a nice lining. Infinite expansion.

What do you guys think?
Thanks!

[jerin]

Hi Reiah,

if you are a beader/stringer, hanging the necklaces is OK since you can restring them any time. If the pearls are small, the hanging won´t affect them as much as with larger pearls.

A separate organizer might be a good idea but I personally would be a bit worried having the pearls "out in the open" so to say, i.e. easily available if your flat/house should be visited by unwished for persons.

I think storage in the original boxes would be OK but for the place all these boxes need and as we all are adicted to pearls we have to find something else. I have a Safe, unfortunately as I have also lots of documents in it, I am running out of space there too...

Silk bags are small and very practical, you can save the original boxes in case you want to sell some pearls and still place for more fuiture buys.

I have made up a inventory with each bag numbered so I can see what type of pearls are in a certain and so being able to find the pearls at almost one glance.

I too would like to see a pearl folder, have never heard anything like it so far. Perhaps Knotty can take a photo of one.

[knotty panda]

Pearl folder. I think all the normal bead suppliers who handled packaging handle folders as well. Straps that puppy in so the clasp doesn't move around. Sueki has the best storage of all, though.

[Pearl_dreams]

I like the folder-- you can readily see the strand in it. I've never seen those before-- or never noticed, anyway.

[Pearlgully]

Originally Posted by knotty panda

Doesn't anyone use pearl folders?

I do. The folders with "padding" are better than ones without.



Gail

[Reiah]

Jerin,
Thanks for reminding me about security. I hadn't thought of that! My current jewelry box locks, so at least the pearls are kind of safe. Well, just the top drawer locks, and it's really getting full. Perhaps I need a new lockable solution. Back to the drawing board...

Pearl folders look nice! Where can we get them?
Reiah

[Hanaleimom]

Originally Posted by Reiah

Jerin,
Thanks for reminding me about security. I hadn't thought of that! My current jewelry box locks, so at least the pearls are kind of safe. Well, just the top drawer locks, and it's really getting full. Perhaps I need a new lockable solution. Back to the drawing board...

Pearl folders look nice! Where can we get them?
Reiah

But that doesn't stop the thieves from taking the whole box. I am trying to find the best solution too. I have a safe, but it's not good for pearls due to lack of air & humidity. Leaving it in the jewelry box doesn't stop thieves from removing it. The silk pouch is a nice idea but I can't see through the pouch to figure out what's inside at a glance. Does organza work? I am thinking of sewing a few pouches in organza because it's see through. However, organza is stiff, not soft like silk.

[Caitlin]

I use organza bags to give away pearls. You can see through them. I now use red organza because red is a traditional color to store pearls in (In Bahrain at least, loose pearls are/were stored in red silk cloths, which when unfolded make a lovely background.)

I hang all my pearls up on pegs. When something stretches I restring it with Power Pro, which does not stretch.

If you are a pearl freak- really consider learning how to restring pearls.

There are three parts to it. Attach half the clasp, knot, attach the second half of the clasp. Honestly, it is as easy as it sounds. People are really afraid to learn, thinking they can't do it themselves.

It is so much easier than most things you do in a day. It is far easier than darning, tatting, embroidery, knitting, crocheting. It is about as easy as hemming as skirt. Easier because you can do the knotting without looking.

All you need is thread, a beading needle, scissors - gimp is optional. but very easy to use and makes a really nice professional finish.