[Zeide Erskine]

Hi Caitlin,

I agree. If men that are already so inclined see their first paragon piece with the setting completing the imagery of a baroque pearl, they will probably go all Louis XIV and start collecting them. Those pieces can be very manly, they do not all have to look like the birdie or mouse pins I once sent you pictures of.

Zeide

[Caitlin]

Hi Zeide
Those mice and birdies were as cute as it gets!

There are literally dozens of pictures of paragon pearls (pearls whose odd shapes are extended and completed by other materials) in the pages of Silvia Malaguzzi's The Pearl, a most magnificent picture book. I wish we could see them here. They range from darling to stunning to magnificent!

[Satine De La Courcel]

Hi Zeide and Caitlyn,

These magnificent pieces were the It Adornment in mid-late 1500's It was also thought to be one way ladies of minor nobility, not of the immediate royal family and courtresans were able to get arround the sumptuary laws of the time reguarding pearls.

I just love that book! so many wonderful Items such vision ot the artist to use pearls to create the body of a dragon, goose or lion. such tallent!

Ash

[mikehrz]

Well, I decided to get my brother's opinion on the Tahitian/leather necklace, as he is somewhat less conservative and more fashion-conscious than I am. He was kind of neutral about it, feeling that, as presented in the pictures he saw, it seemed somewhat casual rather than dressy. His idea, which I certainly would not have come up with, was to have Tahitians mounted as decoration on a watch in such a way that they would be visible both from above and from below. I objected that it would take a very chunky watch to support such a setting, but he pointed out that there are some very chunky watches out there. For instance: http://oakley.com/o/c501t
Now those are substantial timepieces. I can almost see Tahitians mounted at the corners of the "Time Tank."

While thinking about this subject, it occured to me that, although I probably wouldn't wear a Tahitian/leather necklace, I would wear a bracelet equivalent. Basically, take the necklace and make the strap much shorter, keeping just the single Tahitian, and you've got a bracelet. Yup, that's something I would wear.

[pearltime]

You could make it about 3 inches wide.

[Caitlin]

Typically, how large is the hole in the pearl when it is strung on leather?

[mikehrz]

Originally Posted by pearltime

You could make it about 3 inches wide.

Um, what exactly are you referring to?

And I second Caitlin's question.

[jshepherd]

The hole depends on the diameter of the leather. If you are using leather that is 1.5mm wide, you need a 1.7mm hole. Even .2mm is not always enough room, so then the inner portion of the pearl may need to be shaved ever so slightly, as .3mm is too large.

[pearltime]

Originally Posted by mikehrz

Um, what exactly are you referring to?

And I second Caitlin's question.

Hi Mike! You mentioned making a bracelet for a man that included a pearl. Couldn't you mount a pearl on gold or titanium, or use rubber? It could be a wide band or cuff. I did a google search for images of mens bracelets. I thought these two sites had some interesting bracelets. There were many other sites.

http://www.evesaddiction.com/mens-jewelry.html

www.justmetal.com


Karen

[mikehrz]

That would make for an interesting setting. Stainless steel or titanium would definitely give it a masculine edge. Though a 3-inch cuff would simply overwhelm my rather skinny wrists.

At the same time, I also like the simplicity of the single pearl on leather. I do tend to prefer simpler, minimal designs. I am going to be visiting Pearl Paradise soon, and I hope to be able to find a fw or akoya pearl to make into such a bracelet.

[jshepherd]

I am sure we can make something for you.

We just moved into a new office as well! 3000 square feet, with a near 1400 cubic foot, custom built pearl vault. We will be sure to have it full before you visit!

[Caitlin]

Congratulations, Jeremy
Your vault is bigger than my house! I hope it is not long before you need more space. At the rate you are going, it won't be long!

[mikehrz]

Yeah, you know, I'll probably end making a huge dent in your inventory and congratulations on the new office. Mmmmm, 1400 cubic feet of pearls...

[pearltime]

Congrats Jeremy! I'd break out the champagne for that breathtaking event.

[jerin]

Also congratulations from Sweden, Jeremy and all of Your staff.

Inge Jernberg