Was I ripped off ?

[elfstone]

I was out shopping for a mother's day gift

I happen to see this baroque taihitian pearl (slivery grey)

It came with a 18K white gold clasp or the little metal attachment ( not sure what you will call it) to the pearl. Owner told me it was a old stock of taihitian which pearls then have a thicker coat than the present day pearls which she took out some for me to compare, the one i purchase seems a bit more lustre. I suppose she was right?

My question: is my purchase worth about 330USD?

Please be gentle with your comments

ps: I think I will wear it and go pearl hunting for my mum instead

Cheers
Benjamin

[jshepherd]

I think you did fine. The price seems in line with retail pricing of a similar piece.
The comment about the thicker nacre in the older stock, however, that is not true. Unless the salesperson was referring to some really, really old stock!

[purepearls]

Is it just me or does that pearl look white? I agree with Jeremy that the price looks like a fair retail price for a South Sea pearl. Tahitian pearls can look very light like that but it looks like it might be a white South Sea.

[elfstone]

I guess i was being a bit nervous as a first time buyer

Yes on the bill was written " taihitian baroque black pearl"

The shop owner also wrote down a money back garantee if i manage to fine similar piece at that a lower price

Yes the colour is a bit off as seem in the picture, It looks much silvery under natural lighting and under warm lighting it is darker silvery with tint of blue and green

jshepherd: accordding to the owner it is an old stock which is ten years old, so do you think was there much truth to it.

The owner also insist that if I were to walk out and come back later, she will not be willing to offer the same price if I, do not know what is a value for money bargin....

[pattye]

Hi Elkfstone,

What a lovely and versatile pearl enhancer! Your Mom is sure to love it! Pearls are notoriously hard to photograph, so don't feel back if the color is a bit off.

Just tell your Mom to make certain the little clip is tight on the bail so she doesn't loose it!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[jshepherd]

It certainly does look like a Tahitian, although it is light in color. Darker pearls, especially those with peacock coloration, tend to be quite a bit more valuable.

As for the price... again, you did not get ripped off, although it is high retail. 330USD is what you would expect to pay, more or less, in a retail jewelry store.

However, for the same price online you can get something like this:
http://www.purepearls.com/detail.aspx?ID=370
Or most of the pieces here:
http://www.pearlparadise.com/Tahitia...ants-Rings.htm
Or this piece:
http://www.pearlsofjoy.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=166
And several pieces here:
http://www.thepearloutlet.com/tahiti..._pendant_1.htm

If an online seller were to make the identical piece for you it would likely be well under $100.

The comments about the nacre and value, that is just pressure selling, and unfortunately it was not really true.

But the piece is nice enough, and the surface looks clean from the photo. It is a genuine Tahitian pearl, and it was sold as such. You did fine.

[purepearls]

The most important thing is that it is very unique and a very thoughtful gift for your Mother.

[perlas]

I like the setting. It's called an enhancer. You can attach it to a pearl strand. Seems like it is custom-made as enhancers are not readily available.

[elfstone]

thanks for the feedback

I guess its hard for me as a newbie to get the best deal the first time round.

Rather then getting a string of pearl from a jewellery shop. The excitement to fine a one of a kind piece that interest me to me is the real definiation of retail therapy as well as pearl collecting

I prefer to buy loose taihitian / Southsea baroqhue pearls.
Any great suggestons? Within Singapore or outside.

Cheers

Benjamin

[Raisondetre]

I'd recommend Care Ehret on ebay. Her store is Druzydesign. I'd love to have some of her pieces if I had the cash. Her granulated gold goes very well with some of the exotic pearls. There's a seller on ebay from Singapore, but I'm skeptical as to the quality and would never buy sight unseen from them.

I'm originally from Singapore as well, and I must say the expertise of the sellers leave much to be desired.

[perlas]

Welcome to the pearl world elfstone.

Fact No. 1) If you want to buy in jewellery stores, most jewellers and gemologists hardly know anything about pearls. Their knowledge is usually restricted in diamonds.

Fact No. 2) The most reputable, worth your buck sellers you can find is the on-line sellers here: pure pearls, pearls of joy, pearl paradise... and so on. But a loose baroque is not usually on the list but they may have it. You'll be safe with the return policy.

Fact No. 3) You can go to reputable sellers too who have nice boutiques, like Paspaleys, Mikimoto, and Jewelmer, but be prepared to pay retail price.

Fact No. 4) E-bay is a gamble. Do not gamble unless you know E-bay territory and ready to get ripped off. Those who had great pearl findings from E-bay are experienced and knowledgeable in matching and examining the pearls in the picture and the description (If the e-bay seller is said to be reputable, test the waters before you gamble big-time. Know as much about the seller as possible).

Fact No. 5) If you want a pearl with character, like the baroques, loose and undrilled, better see the pearls for yourself and educate yourself fast. There are a lot of good and useful information in this forum. Pearls are tricky to photograph.

If you decide to go to Greenhills, I can help you out if you are not confident about your pearl valuation skills. I'm afraid Greenhills is not for a pearl newbie.