Are off rounds still of similar value...

[Casey.R]

To round Tahitians? If in nice colors. Does the value go way down if a pearl is say 12mmx13mm?Instead of 12x12?

It just seems that some of the prettier colors I've seen have been in the off rounds and also sometimes the baroques. And the off rounds I've seen are larger.

Some of the Tahitian pearl pendants all look the same to me ( grey and flat in color) in the photos of online vendors, and so I've considered other option as far as shape. But wouldn't want to get ripped on price.

So far I REALLY like the peacock colors the best.
Thanks!

[icevic]

I like seeing at least a few off-round pearls in every strand, because it reminds me they are a real, natural product. And of course everyone will know they are not imitation pearls.

I can't answer your question about value, but I do agree that the roundness of a pearl is less important than the overall beauty, and that baroques can be fascinating and very attractive due to their unusual shapes and uneven finish.

But for the most formal of occasions, nothing beats the clean, elegant symmetry of rounds.

[Caitlin]

Hi Casey
The simple answer is yes, the values do go down if 2 strands are otherwise similar except for shape.

I think if the demand for baroques were to soar, the values would go up correspondingly, but the demand for rounds will probably keep their price way up too.

[pattye]

It's true the rounds are more rare and therefore more difficult to match a strand. However, my baroques have the best lustre. I personally think the baroque shapes are more fascinating to the eye, and hold one's attention longer. I think the eye perceives the roundness and consistency and beauty and moves on.
The Akoya standard of roundness as being the most valuable has influenced all pearl quality standards.
Elizabeth Strack for the cover of her book chose a necklace with 5 large white baroque pearls!
For the cost, in my mind, baroques are a great value!

Pattye

[jshepherd]

Off round is definitely less valuable, but you are right about the colors. With Tahitian pearls you tend to have a lot of diffraction which produces the orient. The diffraction changes as the platelets of aragonite change. In off round pearls and especially the baroques, there are areas of thicker nacre and changes in direction of the platelets - you see a lot more colors.

You can have the same effect with the rounds. It is mostly found in the smaller sizes up to 11mm. Larger pearls, 12mm and above, can just as easily have the same orient, but they are much more rare. That is simply because a large portion of the larger Tahitian pearls are second or third graft - they never look as fine as the first.

Every time we do a large Tahitian buy there is a small percentage of what we refer to as the "super pearls". They are very dark with strong orient and peacock overtones. Unfortunately, even with a purchase of 25,000 pearls, those pearls are few. But the few strands we have made with them are absolutely amazing.

[Casey.R]

Thanks for the answers everyone.
Third graft? Is that like a third round for the pearl producing animal?

[jshepherd]

When Tahitian pearls are harvested, a new nucleus is often inserted into the existing pearl sac. These pearls are larger because a nucleus the size of the harvested pearl can be used. Although the resulting pearls are then larger, they are almost always of lower quality.

[Mandy]

I just wanted to add in that, out of all the baroques I've seen, Tahitians are always the best as far as color is concerned. The peacock color variation is very pretty indeed, but I've always been a bit fond of the ones with a more green-ish color (green is my favorite color, afterall ).

[youngster]

Jeremy,
Would it be possible for you to post a few photos of these "super pearls". Would love to take a look at them!

[jshepherd]

We are getting ready to shut down for the weekend. Maybe I will try to capture them next week. I just made one strand yesterday for a customer in France, I will be drilling it on Monday, so that would be a good time. The problem is, however, it is exceptionally difficult to truly capture the orient and varying shades of peacock in a round pearl. I will ask Natalie to try next week.

[jshepherd]

Here are your "super pearls"! Can you imagine what a full strand would look like?

[boo]

Wow! Those are incredible - thanks for sharing the photo.

[Casey.R]

Wow those are pretty impressive!

[pattye]

Jeremy,
Those are just AMEN amazing!!! I dare anyone to tell a woman that color wouldn't look good on her!!!
Pattye

[Mandy]

Can I have one? ;o;! Those are gorgeous!