ShopNBC and Freshwater Akoya

[jshepherd]

Someone sent me a message today about an item on ShopNBC. Apparently ShopNBC had an hour-long segment on a strand of pearls they were referring to as freshwater akoya.

This has evoked a discussion on the QVC community board, and someone called ShopNBC to enquire. It appears as though they quickly changed the description on the site to read cultured akoya.
http://www.shopnbc.com/14K_Gold_18_W...V1-_-ONAIR-_-N

But take a look at the photos, especially the third one down. The quality of the other photos is too poor to make out what the strand is. But if this is akoya, they appear to be some of the most lifeless akoya pearls I've seen.

I am posting this because of the earlier discussion about pearlsamerica.com and their freshwater. It amazes me that ShopNBC ONCE AGAIN involved themselves in eBay-like fraud. Most of us remember their pearlfection line a year and a half ago (http://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/pea...brication.html).

The folks on the QVC forum have already deduced that ShopNBC was wrong - http://community.qvc.com/topic/Jewel...ide/5700097777

[Hanaleimom]

It really irks me to see vendors who do not know what they are selling and misrepresenting their products. Most of us here on PG are more educated about pearls than the average consumers. But imagine all those buyers out there who purchase these misrepresented products, become disappointed, overpay for the quality they receive.

[hkdiaz]

Thanks for posting this-I saw that discussion as well. Something that bothers me is those who will order them and be at least somewhat satisfied with them or think they got a deal because they don't realize how beautiful GOOD quality pearls are. Before I learned about pearls, it was all about price for me-now I compare my earliest pearl purchases with what I have now and I am embarrassed and would never wear them!

[Hanaleimom]

Thanks for posting this-I saw that discussion as well. Something that bothers me is those who will order them and be at least somewhat satisfied with them or think they got a deal because they don't realize how beautiful GOOD quality pearls are.

Ditto!

My sister raved about the pearls she bought. Some white pearls from her trip to the Caribbean, and black pearls from Hawaii (which was sold as Tahitian black pearls but the products are very pitted, dyed FW or akoya). She did not educate herself well enough besides the tooth test. She thought she got such great deal for low quality pearls, falling for the sale pitch that they are worth much more.

[Jazz]

You can still watch the second of their on-air presentation of the item here:

http://tv.shopnbc.com/?DCSext.TV_Act...oday:DotTVLink

Click on "Program Guide" at the top and choose the 12 AM show (Gold Style), which started with a presentation of the item. Too bad the first Our Top Value presentation doesn't seem to be available for viewing -- host Libby Floyd made abundant claims of "Chinese freshwater akoyas" in that segment.

[Jazz]

And note the item description on the left side of the screen when you watch the video -- it still says "14 Gold 18" White 7.0-7.5mm Cultured Akoya Freshwater Pearl"!

[waimeamomi]

Thanks for posting this-I saw that discussion as well. Something that bothers me is those who will order them and be at least somewhat satisfied with them or think they got a deal because they don't realize how beautiful GOOD quality pearls are.

That's where even feedback ratings on Ebay are misleading. How many people leave positive feedback for something because they don't know what it's supposed to be like! Knowledge is the best defense.

[Valeria101]

It amazes me that ShopNBC ONCE AGAIN involved themselves in eBay-like fraud.

True enough... and hard to accept it takes so long for such a 'market' to 'grow up'.

[dkan 168]

Knowledge is power, that much is true.

I have made unwise purchases in the past for not doing enough homework, the most recent one with a folding bike which I sold recently.

Have I learnt from my mistakes? I still make hasty decisions and costly mistakes, however, I would like to believe they are far and between

Live and learn from our mistakes I'd say, and be wiser as we grow older

Pearl related purchasing mistakes? None that I cannot recycle!

DK

[Pearlcat]

I've always been underwhelmed by any jewelry, particularly pearls, that I have seen on any of the TV shopping channels. I've been collecting gems for a while (I have a meager collection) but doing a lot of reading about gems for years. The more I read and learn, the more frustrated I become at the erroneous pitches I see on TV or in retail stores.

[GemGeek]

My two cents - I think Honora pearls are an exception and very consistent on quality. Compared to shopping in B&M stores, their TV pearls are a good value. For those who don't know about the great vendors we have here, Honora is a good bet.

[pattye]

Yes, Blaire, I do agree with you on Honora Pearls. They are shown on QVC, in case anyone is wondering. QVC has better quality control and invariably the Pres of Honora, Joel Schechter, is on the show for every minute of the presentation. I do have some Honora pearls from the days before I found P-G.