[Hanaleimom]

It has lovely color. I wonder once the technique has been refined, will the colors ever get deeper and more saturated like Kasumis? I like the purple in the Kasumis.

[jerin]

Originally Posted by kojimapearl

Kevin, You are probably right! I always forget about the "average consumer". He he

Hi Sarah, that means I am in the category "average consumer". While I think the colours are lovely the structure and look seems to me like an artichoke, i.e. not much of a pearl and so of very little interest for me. I also do not quite understand that many of our members think of Kasumis as the hight of beauty in pearls, hmm - hope I won´t get a lot of members angry..

[jerin]

Nerida,
how about telling us who the seller is? Does she have an Internet site so we could look at her pearls?

[pattye]

Hi Inge and All,

If you missed the link, the seller is our own Sarah, of Kojimapearl. She has recently started an ebay store kojimapearl, with some very lovely finished items, and also some unfinished strands so nice for us "beaders" Her regular website is www.kojimapearl.com, which is currently "under construction."

Sarah partners with Fuji Voll of Pacific Pearls, both are experienced and well known and trusted within the pearl business. I bought from them in Tucson, and recently purchased a strand of Josh's keshi from Sarah. She also had an amazing hand picked multicolor strand of freshwater 11mm listed on ebay (unfinished) for about 15 minutes before it was purchased.

I do have a nice collection of Kasumi pearls, but speaking for myself only, would not say they are the "height of beauty in pearls"----just another lovely variation, for us who enjoy beauty in irregularity, unusual color. Their charm is very hard to understand from a photo.

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

p.s. At my body's age, it is good to learn to love wrinkles!!

[nlerner]

Hi All,

This discussion about Kasumis and the "average consumer" reminds me of when I was teaching art history. I was always repeating that the most important thing was to understand the character, the background, and the place of each piece in the art history. It wasn't important to me as a teacher what anyone prefers because each of us has a different taste and comes from a different place. I can understand those who adore Renaissance (I don't), I love Greek art and the 'ugly' art of medieval times and contemporary art.

As Pattye wrote, Kasumi's beauty is in the variation of colors and irregularity. Kasumi has a character and I'm still waiting for 'the' one for a pendant. Hopefully Sarah or Care will have it one day.

Inge, you should try the Jewish style artichoke when you visit Rome next time, - delicious........

[Heidi]

Originally Posted by nlerner

Hi All,

This discussion about Kasumis and the "average consumer" reminds me of when I was teaching art history. I was always repeating that the most important thing was to understand the character, the background, and the place of each piece in the art history. It wasn't important to me as a teacher what anyone prefers because each of us has a different taste and comes from a different place. I can understand those who adore Renaissance (I don't), I love Greek art and the 'ugly' art of medieval times and contemporary art.

As Pattye wrote, Kasumi's beauty is in the variation of colors and irregularity. Kasumi has a character and I'm still waiting for 'the' one for a pendant. Hopefully Sara or Care will have it one day.

Inge, you should try the Jewish style artichoke when you visit Rome next time, - delicious........

This is an excellent point. There is always a context and understanding it, and each of our own, helps to explain how value gets assigned to a particular aesthetic and how or why certain things may be popular. Kasumis are certainly not the same aesthetic or appeal as a round cultured pearl or smoother skinned baroques, even. It's definitely a niche and I completely understand not being enamored of them. (Even though I am)

Free-associating off of that, I wonder how the specialty market would receive Kasumis if it hadn't been introduced to other non-traditional shapes and textures of pearls like numerous, high quality keishis over the last 30-ish years in popular/wearable styles and if Biwa pearls had never been introduced, sold and then extinct (so rare and by extension eve more valuable than during their cultivation).

[jerin]

Hi Nora,

Inge, you should try the Jewish style artichoke when you visit Rome next time, - delicious........

If I ever come to Rome I will do that.

Thanks
Inge

[kojimapearl]

Well, I am both a little embarrassed and pleased to read such a conversation about the "beauty" of Japan Kasumi pearls (or their Chinese counterparts, like the one posted) and as well the "average consumer". I meant no harm by that, only that I am so enamored with the unusual beauty that pearls can bring, that I often forget about the greater end of the market who prefer perfection.
It is true that Japan Kasumi pearls now owe much of their popularity, no matter the admirer's opinion, to their Lake Biwa predecessors. As with any cultured pearl though, it is the farmer (and the animals) who should take the praise for the the pearls exsistence. In this case much praise is due, considering the years spent trying to revive Lake Kasumi, and hybrid an animal to grow in it. In my time, I have seen very few pearls from Lake Biwa that compared with the rich colors we can find today in pearls from Lake Kasumi.
With my best wishes and thanks to Pattye for such a lovely review, I will now post a couple of photos, the first an natural abalone pearl from my collection, naturally shaped like California. The second a piece of Kamoka keshi from my recent trip to Ahe (photos of that coming soon). I have been working hard to get the kojimapearl website up and running, I hope you enjoy it soon! I will be sure to let you know when we are finished.
P.S. Anyone going to the show in Las Vegas at the end of May? If so, hope to see you there!
Pearly blessings, Sarah

[SpaceNeedle]

Originally Posted by pattye

Hi Inge and All,


I do have a nice collection of Kasumi pearls, but speaking for myself only, would not say they are the "height of beauty in pearls"----just another lovely variation, for us who enjoy beauty in irregularity, unusual color. Their charm is very hard to understand from a photo.

Pattye - Any chance to post a few photos of your Kasumi collection?

[Heidi]

Sarah - Thanks for your reply while you slave to get that website up and running.

Originally Posted by SpaceNeedle

Pattye - Any chance to post a few photos of your Kasumi collection?

Ditto that request! My "collection" stands at 2, so more for the gazing is always a good thing. I am firmly over in that camp that really loves the color and texture of these pearls.

And SpaceNeedle, are those Kasumi earrings in your avatar?

[pattye]

Hi All,
Yes I admit I have neglected posting photos of my Kasumi, but will do some soon, after I finish a couple of home projects.

Sarah, love your new pearls! Somehow the map of CA "strikes me funny" --a very unique pearl to be sure! Since I was born in San Francisco, maybe I should buy it and have a sapphire, my birthstone set in there???? And there is everything to love about beautiful keishi, looks rather like a heart---we look forward to story and photo of this latest Ahe adventure!

Wish, wish, wish I could go to the Vegas show, but not this year! If anyone goes, we expect a full report!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[Nerida]

Originally Posted by jerin

Nerida,
how about telling us who the seller is? Does she have an Internet site so we could look at her pearls?

Sadly, no website. Her store is called Fusion and her name is Eagle.. she trades at Hongqiao Pearl City. She actually specialises in jewellery design for all you gem buffs - one-off designs of amazing beauty - stunning rings and bracelets just a few pieces that I drooled over. The pearls are just a tool for interesting jewellery design. OMG I'm remembering all her beautiful rings as I'm writing this and kicking myself that I didn't think to order something for myself!!

I did tell her about the forum, so maybe she is lurking out there somewhere - if so, let us know Eagle - you will have a ready-made fan club!

[Nerida]

As a bit of a PS to my post, Inge - Daxi, Rupeipei etc. all have websites, but they don't actually photograph the strands they are selling - more generic photos, and (saying this without prejudice) much of their styling is too "Asian" for western tastes. The value is in going there in person and hunting through their stock and negotiating. Maybe I should host a shopping trip to Shanghai for PGers?? LOL

[la_corsetiere]

Originally Posted by kojimapearl

With my best wishes and thanks to Pattye for such a lovely review, I will now post a couple of photos, the first an natural abalone pearl from my collection, naturally shaped like California. The second a piece of Kamoka keshi from my recent trip to Ahe (photos of that coming soon). I have been working hard to get the kojimapearl website up and running, I hope you enjoy it soon! I will be sure to let you know when we are finished.
P.S. Anyone going to the show in Las Vegas at the end of May? If so, hope to see you there!
Pearly blessings, Sarah

Oooooh, I LOVE that heart-shaped keshi pearl from Josh, Sarah! If you decide it needs a new owner in your nice neighber, PM me...I have a bit of a thing for weird hearts, but don't yet have a heart-shaped Tahitian in my collection...

Sheri

[Nerida]

Sarah, both those pearls are sensational! The weird heart and the Californian map! I love Pattye's thoughts about personalizing it with her SF birthplace!