[Nerida]

Wish, wish, wish I could go to the Vegas show, (Pattye).. wish wish wish I could visit Josh's farm!! Sheri, you have visited too, haven't you?

[la_corsetiere]

Originally Posted by Nerida

Wish, wish, wish I could go to the Vegas show, (Pattye).. wish wish wish I could visit Josh's farm!! Sheri, you have visited too, haven't you?

Haven't visited the farm yet, but hope to one of these days! I managed to catch up with Josh when he was in Papeete.

Sheri

[Nerida]

still sounds idyllic!

[jerin]

Originally Posted by 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

Hi Nerida
and thanks for answering so promptly. What a great idea to be host for those PG:ers who can come... my thoughts though go along these lines... If I add up what it would cost me to just get there I probably have no money left to shop any pearls so I go on dreaming and waiting for reports and photos....

[Nerida]

I know what you mean! Maybe I shouldn't travel, and instead have the lovely collections that some of our members have.. however, I am lucky enough to have a husband who travels extensively, and I'm often invited along - very nice, and often paid for, and also the air miles add up very quickly with his travel, so I get to use them too! Most Australians have a bit of a thing for travelling - consequences of being stuck all the way down here by ourselves..

[Raisondetre]

Off-topic, but it's more expensive to travel from the US to Asia than within Asia itself, or from Australia to China for that matter. My parents are based in Singapore, and as long as I'm not looking for gem freshwaters I find that the savings are well worth the travel expenses. I usually get promotional airfares plus 4-star hotels in China which averages less than US$100 a night for two people. I don't think you can quite beat the satisfaction of sifting through strands and strands of pearls for that elusive perfection, though most of it is junk. Buying wholesale (not just for pearls, I do my clothes, shoes and accessory shopping there as well) definitely helps. I won't be doing it too often, but there are advantages of living in or near Asia rather than the US sometimes.

[SpaceNeedle]

Originally Posted by Heidi

Sarah -
And SpaceNeedle, are those Kasumi earrings in your avatar?

Yup.. they are. I was not attracted to Kasumis at first but I was immediately hooked once I saw this pair of deep purple with amazing luster and colors. I now set my Sea of Cortez earrings aside and wear Kasumis more often. Now I need more of pink/purple clothing .

[CLICLASP]

Originally Posted by SpaceNeedle

A question to all experts out there... besides the origin, what are other differences between a kasumi pearl and a similar chinese FW to this one?

I wonder how to make the difference too.
I bought a kasumi strand fro a very reliable source and some said they saw same as Chinese kasumi

Can anyone here identify origin of this strand ?

Besides this question, any news of beads used for nucleation of Chinese kasumi ? giant Clam ?

Thanks for who knows

[SpaceNeedle]

Hello CLICLASP - Oh... lovely necklace!!! May I ask who the seller is?

[Pearlgully]

Originally Posted by CLICLASP

I wonder how to make the difference too.
I bought a kasumi strand fro a very reliable source and some said they saw same as Chinese kasumi

Can anyone here identify origin of this strand ?

Besides this question, any news of beads used for nucleation of Chinese kasumi ? giant Clam ?

Thanks for who knows

Probably a lab will be able to tell you the origin of your pearls.

I'm on a roll, today!!! While checking out some info on elephant pearls, I came across an article in the back issue of "Austrailian Gemologist" Oct. - Dec. 2006. The article addresses the differences between Japanese Kasumis and Chinese CFWP. Although they don't specify Chinese "bead nucleated". Try a google search and maybe you can order a copy of the article.

As far as the beads used for nucleating the Chinese ones, Fuji Voll told me in Tucson that the giant clam was not used. I wrote about my conversation with him somewhere on this forum back in February. I don't remember where the post is, though.

Gail

[CLICLASP]

Originally Posted by Pearlgully

As far as the beads used for nucleating the Chinese ones, Fuji Voll told me in Tucson that the giant clam was not used.
Gail

Thanks a lot,
So I feel better in wearing by bead nucleated ones as well !!
Here a pict.

If you ever think I am posting too much photos, this is to save me from bad english writting, and PG fellows from reading it !!
Some evenings I feel lazy ......

[Pearlgully]

Originally Posted by CLICLASP

Thanks a lot,
So I feel better in wearing by bead nucleated ones as well !!
Here a pict.

Hi Cliclasp,
When I responded "no" to your question regarding if the giant clam was used for nucleation, I was specifically referring to the Chinese "in body" nucleated pearls (i.e. Chinese Kasumi like pearls). As far as whether the giant clam is being used to nucleated the Ikecho / Fireballs..... well, there still is no conclusive answer yet, as far as I know.


Gail


Edit: FYI, read the thread "Freshwater Pearls Better than Akoya Pearls" post #18 (under the Freshwater Pearl forum). I spoke to F. Voll & E. Strack in Tucson.

[Cathybear]

Ohhh that's breathtaking!!

[Nerida]

I'm with you Cathy - breathtaking! Your first strand you posted, Cliclasp is on my wish list....pm me if it is for sale.... not sure if it will be on my "can afford" list, though!

[CLICLASP]

Thanks
it is my collection, not for sale, (I made a thread in "show us your pearls")
I waited one and a half year before buying it...
But watching carefully at the thread where Kojima put of both Chinese and Japanese kasumi pictures,

Chinese and Japanese Freshwater Photos

I was more puzzled than ever
Well, when beauty is here .. what's the difference