[Pearl_dreams]

My husband and I went out window shopping today in a nearby town (just an excuse to go strolling-- too nice to stay in!) I was wearing my 8-9mm round exotics, and the saleslady at a jewelry store we browsed in complimented me on them.

They are so versatile.

Last week I saw a hand crafted necklace with large oval exotics at another local goldsmith's shop-- it was obviously a one of a kind piece-- 20" and $275. Don't dismiss your local boutiques or jewelry shops if they sell designer pieces-- you may find exotics there.

[callire]

Hah, sorry, I'm bumping this because I really like the responses, it helps me decide what to buy next!

For me, I wear my pearl pendants more than anything else. So far, the main problem is finding gold chains for them (I hate having to shell out money for gold chains, it seems like such a waste), but once they've all gotten their own chain, I think I'll wear them more often.

I had a small, flawless (incredible luster, very pink undertones) maybe 6-7mm drop FW pendant that I loved, but I lost it on vacation. It was my "everyday" necklace, and I miss it terribly. Anyway, I bought a replacement from Druzy (replacement is 10-12mm), and I'm just waiting on a new chain (again, why is gold so expensive?).

So, I mostly alternate between that and my GSS pendant (11-12mm) from PP. I JUST got the classic, white 7-8mm Freshadama strand, and I'll probably wear that with all my dresses (2x weekly dinners).

I'm also trying to reestablish my collection of pearl studs, if I have a pair, I pretty much just wear them until I lose them.

[pearlescence]

Hi Callire
It may be a silly question but can the pendants not share a chain. If they are made so that they cannot be removed from their chains then you need to fit them on to enhancer fittings so that they CAN be moved.

[Heidi]

Hi Callire -

A suggestion for chain purchasing: I have gotten almost all of my chains from numanistics (coin/jewelery - often pawn) shops. If you have a stable one that focuses on precious metals in your area they will likely be happy to order findings for you, including gold chains. That way you'll pay only for the chain and no designer or brand markup premiums. You may also luck out and find something remarkable...

[callire]

Good ideas! I'll see if I can find a pawn shop somewhere. I do try to have them share chains, but I frequently move from school-home, so I usually take one or two complete necklaces with me and it's harder for me to lose the pendants if they are in with a chain. Plus, somehow I'm slightly OCD and I like the idea of each one having its own chain (yeah, I know I'm crazy). But, I think I'll just buy one chain for now to replace my broken one, and alternate unless I find another super great deal. To the pawn shops!!

(On another note, I'm slightly miffed at my local jewelry shop... They have some GORGEOUS pearls in the window- tahitian lariats, chocolate strands, keshi necklaces/earrings- but it's open appointment only. Meh. They won't let me browse.)

[Pearl_dreams]

I have to find a thread for you... one of the P-Gers made great chains with tiny beads...be back when I find it...

[pattye]

Hi Callire,

How about making an appointment and telling them you are studying pearls and will be reporting on their store for an online pearl forum?

Or--you are dating a wealthy sheik's son who wants you to find a worthy Christmas present???

Let's help Callire think of reasons to make an appointment at the SPS (snooty pearl shop).

I think they will be amazed at your knowledge of pearls---

[Pearl_dreams]

It took some digging but I found it:

Pearl and Gemstones

This is a creative alternative to buying gold chains for the pendants....

[Reiah]

I like your idea of saying you're studying pearls - that is a good way to get an appointment.

I live in the Silicon Valley - Ca - the land of many multi-millionaires. Too bad I'm not one. But it is very hard around here to assess the Have moneys and the have nots. Quite many many engineers here who work for Google or other start-ups have all of a sudden gotten rich on stock options. So it's very interesting to watch the retail stores here. The sales persons cannot tell if you're wealthy or not. Therefore they do treat everyone with respect, unlike some other places.

I know that in Taiwan, the salespersons won't even give you the time of day, if you're not dressed properly.

One of hubby's college friends started a company and sold it for multi-millions and we often see him around town toting his kids in sweat pants and a t-shirt. Then you see him get into his $100K Mercedes Benz. LOL.

So, Callire, I think either of those would work... or say - your boyfriend works at Google. :-)

[sleight]

Don't dismiss your local boutiques or jewelry shops if they sell designer pieces--

Thanks for recognizing this! Small local shops are where most of my designs end up.

[callire]

Hilarious! I love it!

I drove by SPS today and I was SHOCKED to see that it was actually "Open." Of course, I was wearing jeans, a t-shirt and flip flops along with my new Freshadamas, so I didn't go in. No, I will plan my trip very, very carefully. (Hehehe) I'm thinking of wearing (designer) jeans, a nice shirt and a blazer (business casual here) along with my upcoming pink Freshadamas (ordered!) and say that my boss sent me to find something nice for his wife.

(and OMG- they have exotics!! They are so, so pretty. I was so excited, they really have an excellent window display... I barely resisted the urge to press my nose against the glass. It's not just the typical FW or Akoya, they really have an excellent selection of baraoque, keshi, etc. etc. much more than a typical shop)

[pattye]

I'm thinking of wearing (designer) jeans, a nice shirt and a blazer (business casual here) along with my upcoming pink Freshadamas (ordered!) and say that my boss sent me to find something nice for his wife.

Perfect!!

YES! She accepts the mission!! See if you can find out who the pearl lover and designer is for the store--looking forward to your report!

[Pearl_dreams]

Callire, you go, girl! Then report back!

I've seen more exotics lately. We were in Tiffany's last week and I saw a 9-9.5mm multicolored CFWP strand that had exotics in it for $2100. Great looking strand in the case. Naturally I had to try them on!

I was wearing my 8-9mm round exotics that day so it was easy to compare the two strands. Tiffany's were lustrous, clean and round, but Jeremy's were all of that and had amazing color. No contest!

I've also seen a few oval multicolor strands which contained some exotics at T.J. Maxx, of all places. Nice and clean and good luster. The smaller ones were about 5-6mm and the larger were 7-8mm.

I bought the larger strand and took it apart. I'm going to combine some of the most colorful, lustrous pearls from that strand with Jeremy's 7.5-8.5mm oval exotics (my strand was very metallic but didn't have a lot of color variation) to make a necklace. There will be a few pearls left over to make dangle earrings.

Schools open in a week; maybe when my time is my own again, I can finally make it.

[laurenb]

Originally Posted by xeresana

I'm curious to see what people really wear the most. I, of course, own an 18" 8mm strand of white pearls, rosé overtone, and matching earrings. Classic, right? Surely something I thought I would wear all the time. And do I? Hardly. What do I reach for again and again? A pair of baroque drop golden South Sea earrings from Care Ehret. Do you have "everyday" pearls? What are they? Am I the lone nut leaving her classic white rounds, sitting lonely in the drawer?

White 16" 7.5mm akoya (looks like an 18" due to my tiny neck) are my everyday pearls, usually with jeans, though my oval lavender FW come out fairly often. I have a grey akoya strand I love but I wear it sparingly because I want to be sure it lasts. I haven't really gotten into baroques. Definitely like round much more at this point.

If there's a good private school in your college town, all you need to add to your flipflops is a baseball cap from that school. For all they know, Daddy or Mommy is a billionaire.

[carehret]

Sea of Cortez pearls. The sizes are not too large so they are perfect for every day wear.
Second to that would be my Kasumis or Silver Tahitians.


Care