[Pearl_dreams]

That is great news and would totally alter how I felt about buying akoyas. With that kind of nacre thickness, they would be about as durable as SSP or Tahitians, right?

[The Pearl Outlet]

Yes, they should have the durability of SSPs and Tahitians, given the thickness of the nacre.

[Bernadette]

I think they are lush, the colours are really amazing.

It's been approx 5 years since I have done full time work for the trade
and I am gob smacked, even in that time with the technology and changes within the industry.

[knotty panda]

What do the itty bitty ones start with as a nucleus? The proverbial grain of sand? Didn't see them on the website. Smaller IS better!

[The Pearl Outlet]

The smallest ones, 2.5-3mm, certainly are tiny. Any thoughts on designs which would be cost effective and look good? They are full-drilled and on temporary strands right now.

[Pearl_dreams]

Originally Posted by The Pearl Outlet

The smallest ones, 2.5-3mm, certainly are tiny. Any thoughts on designs which would be cost effective and look good? They are full-drilled and on temporary strands right now.

Multi-strand torsades would be a good use for these tiny ones.

[knotty panda]

Perhaps something combining crocheted metal and the pearls. Or, an etherial lacy, freeform, collar type knotted on fishing line! There, I said it! LOL Truly, it does have its purpose.

[GemGeek]

The smaller pearls would make a great strand to build around a pendant.

[orient456]

Hi,
I want to share my experience with TPO's new Vietnamese Akoya pearls.
My modest pearl collection so far consists of freshwaters, Tahitians and SS and Akoyas really haven't been at the top of my wish list.
However, after buying a bracelet of small baroque Vietnamese Akoyas in TPO's special last year, I realised these pearls are unique.
So, with trepidation, I ordered a gem quality multicolour necklace and bracelet from Terry.
When these pearls arrived, I was gobsmacked. They are, I believe, in a world of their own.
The non-enhanced colors range from warm white, cream, rose, silver/blue, golden - and even some true golds.
I love the warm, richer colours of these thicker-nacred Akoyas as opposed to the colder "ghostly" white (in my opinion) Akoyas in the market.
They have a brilliant mirror lustre. The silver/blue pearls are extreme metallic, but the addition of the warmer creams, pinks and goldens make the whole strand just GLOW.
When I asked Terry about the lustre, he said they are so lustrous that they almost look wet and he is absolutely right.
The pearls are also perfectly round and flawless to my eyes.
I certainly hope these Vietnamese pearls are the way of the future for Akoyas!!!!

[Caitlin]

I am impressed. They are extraordinary pearls!

[Raisondetre]

I finally got the Akoyas in the mail. While they are nice, it's a little different than what I expected. I'll sit on it for a little while to let them wake up for a bit before deciding if I would return them. I think I'm the only nut who would take 33 pictures of a pearl necklace. They turned out surprisingly well considering it's a rainy day, I was using macro which means my hands were much steadier than before as they're not as blurry as my previous pictures.

[Raisondetre]

Shape and coloring were amazing, but luster and orient were not quite what I was expecting.

[Raisondetre]

[Raisondetre]

Comparison with my 8-9 mm lavender freshwaters that I got on the recent trip to China.

[Raisondetre]