The Pearl Doctor

[jshepherd]

I think there is finally a product that will work for every one trying to take care of their pearls.

Check out this Web site:
http://www.thepearldoctor.com/

The Web site is owned by the wife of John Inglese who is sales manager at The Pearl Outlet. They have been testing it for about a year and recently sent us a kit to try. It works really well. It has the same aesthetic effect as polishing without adding adding oils or buffing the surface.

Anyway, this is just a plug for them. I think it is a great idea and one long overdue. I am interested to hear what other people think about it as well. This kit may be something we could eventually consider adding to orders as a value-added extra.

[Caitlin]

Someone on another thread was asking about bags to put a gift in. This site has some nice selections, both inexpensive and high end.

The products look good, but I was unable to determine what is in the wash. I like the chamois idea too.

[Raisondetre]

Fantastic idea! Be great to test it out in person. Might get a kit after I return from my trip.

[jshepherd]

I am not sure what is in the formula. This is the quote from their Web site.

Rx FORMULA - Our wonderful Rx cleaning formula is a natural, non-toxic, environmentally safe solution especially effective at removing make-up, hair spray, perfume, and lotion, as well as the natural acids contained in body oils and perspiration. The 1 oz. bottle of Rx contains enough formula for 19 uses (4 1/2 months at 1 time per week).

They may tell you if you ask them. But who knows, it might be some secret formula

[knotty panda]

Someone had mentioned them in a thread a few months ago. I looked at the site then promptly forgot about it. It did seem good, but had I known they people behind it, I might have ordered. At the time, I wasn't sure if it was just hype.

[smetzler]

…some secret formula…

It all hinges on the 'formula' and its effectiveness/uniqueness. But I also find the pouches, etc well selected and attractive, and especially laud the site for its educational content.

Inclusion with minimum-value retail orders would be a nice statement, and perhaps serve to further distinguish the serious merchants from the pretenders.

In the end, it may be just another good excuse to get close and personal with one's pearls—as if one were needed!

[Johanna]

Hi Jeremy,

This is my first posting. I'm Johanna Lolax, President & Founder of Tender Beauty Pearls, and a graduate of the GIA Pearls course and lab.

I use The Pearl Doctor on my inventory and my personal pearl jewelry items. It's safe for pearls and has not irritated my skin, which is officially sensitive, though I think appropriate cautions should always be exercised when using any cleaning product.

In addition, I detect no noxious fumes or scents when I use it at home at a sink in a ventilated room.

I find that The Pearl Doctor gives pearls of all kinds,and precious metals such as silver and gold, a beautiful luster. It easily and thoroughly removes dust, the light waxes that sometimes are used in pearl stringing, and yellowing skin oils, without damaging the pearls.

My company is an internet-based start up founded in Central Massachusetts, with BBB accreditation. I show at many local expos, fairs, businesses, and events that attract women between the ages of 21 and 65.

Many of them are pearl fans, or have become pearl fans after buying from me. Many have questions about cleaning, so in addition to providing written instructions based on my GIA-training, I also give my customers The Pearl Doctor coupons, which John and his wife kindly sent me.

In addition, I have given The Pearl Doctor as a value-added gift when customers purchase at a certain level, such as $250.00 or $500.00. No feedback yet, but they really light up when they receive a free gift!

Sincerely,
Johanna Lolax
Tender Beauty Pearls
www.tenderbeautypearls.com

[Mervione]

Johanna, may I ask why you have ThePearlOutlet´s pictures on your site?

[SpaceNeedle]

Hello Johanna - Not sure if you are aware of this but your BBB links are broken .

[Admin]

The BBB button worked when I went over there, but I only tried one.
I guess that TPO and Tender Beauty Pearls have a deal. This site seems to be another version of "new" marketing techniques. Perhaps a bit like One Pearl? or even the antique jewelry investor's site. Some kind of partnership with selling by proxy?

I am curious to see how these ideas work over the next year or so- we have had an increase of this kind of site. The people behind them seem a cut above average too--which is exactly the composition of P-G's membership.

-

[Johanna]

Good Morning!

Yes, I found that broken BBB link, and fixed it. All the links should be working now. Thanks for your help on that.

I do have some TPO photos on my site, www.tenderbeautypearls.com, with permission from the company. I also have posted some photos in the ring section that my wonderful young photographer and per diem assistant took and photoshopped for me (Leslie Roemer of Innovative Photography in Massachusetts).

Photo permissions are listed at the bottom of my home page.

Leslie will be doing (and learning) more as I purchase more stock to appeal to customer tastes and requests.

I'm a start up, and eternally grateful for the kind assistance with photography and photos, negotiated with my various suppliers and assistants. The cost savings has helped me grow my small business in a down economy.

I launched my website soon after receiving my Diploma from the GIA Graduate Pearls course. I took the final Pearls exam under the watchfull eye of a local attorney last spring, and the Pearl Lab took place at The Doubletree Hotel in Boston's Chinatown in June of 2008 (the food was terrible, but the Lab was great). I had inventory purchased and the site launched by August. Then the market crashed.

Not one to give up easily, I forged ahead (even through the ice storm last December, which forced me to temporarily run the business out of a hotel room -- and yes, I really did walk a few customers' holiday gifts through the snow to ensure on-time Christmas delivery.)

Eventually, I envision a website and a company with greater scope and independence in marketing and sales, though for now mutually supportive, informal business partnerships are working out well.

In addition to website sales from customers throughout the USA, I vend and participate in expos and tradeshows throughout Massachusetts, where I created and founded my company. This helps me to raise capital, restock, and pay overhead costs, including the cost of my site. Perhaps soon I can start to draw a small salary, too.

BTW, I wash all the pearl jewelry I sell in person in The Pearl Doctor. Perhaps this is why I have gained something of a local reputation for having the most beautiful pearls in the area. The fine work TPO and my other suppliers do in sourcing gorgeous stock certainly helps as well.

Also, I offer jewelry bridal showers, and private jewelry parties for corporations. I also vend at special events (such as fundraisers for the Dress for Success non-profit organization) on request. My company gives small donations to various charities, or donates a percentage of sales at fundraisers.

I do not engage in multi-level marketing or pressure customers to sell for me, but I do offer free gifts as incentives for party host, and for customers purchasing at various levels. I prefer an employer model, and now employ several wage-earning per diem employees who help me with my shows.

It's all about my customers and getting the word out about pearls and my business. I am working both the internet and local vending circuits to (with any luck) bootstrap my way to success within the next 3-5 years.

The feedback and comments received here are much appreciated.

Best wishes,
Johanna Lolax, MA, GIA Pearls Diplomate
President & Founder
www.tenderbeautypearls.com

[boo]

Hi, Joahnna! Thanks for the information, and welcome to the forum.

[The Pearl Outlet]

John has never even shared the formula with me, but it is great stuff!

[Johanna]

Hi Boo, I like your avatar. Thanks for the welcome!

[Joan A]

Question:

How will this work with pieces that have a combination of diamonds and pearls?

Of course I will be tempted to just dip my strung pieces, then rinse and dry them flat. Will this discolor the silk thread?

Thanks