Choice goods

[Caitlin]

Slraep
You are a worthy debater- very eloquent, indeed. Thank you for the opportunity to respond to your points. I hope you stay and ask many questions.

Kevin
We have had at least one person ask for environmentally correct pearls on this forum. Pearl people do tend to be sea lovers and maybe a tad more sensitive in general to environmental soundness and PC.

I hope you keep up some PR along these lines. PC is a line that sells to some- and it is easy to tell who- the ones in the birkenstocks!

After all the pearls don't have the bad "Karma" of African diamonds, for instance. (There are literally dozens of websites out there that assure people they can buy diamonds from them which aren't mined under the repression, etc.)

Zoe got an A+ on that presentation and a crowd of folks wanting to know more. She said it solidified her goal to be a "pearl monger" (her term). By the time she is ready to join me in my part/time beading business, I hope I will have moved up from beading quality pearls to AAA CFWP and the Freshadamas!

[Slraep]

Has the wish list petered out?

Slraep

[Kevin Canning]

Pearl people do tend to be sea lovers

Great point - if I'm not working I'm either surfing or fishing, I could never live away from the ocean.

Has the wish list petered out?

Sorry your thread seems to have been hijacked. I plan on getting my hands on a nice claw shaped abalone pearl for a pendant in the future. Other then that, my wish list is probably pretty boring compared to some of the others lists.

[Caitlin]

Since anyone new has to wade through all these posts, Perhaps you could do a poll on the wish list subject? We don't do many polls and they are fun. The title of this thread does not reflect that it is a wish list, so maybe try 2 will go better.

Did you see the poll on the Hanadama vs. the Freshadama? Most people could not tell the difference, they guessed the wrong one. joke joke.....

your thread seems to have been hijacked

Hijacked is a strong term- -everyone who contributed to the thread went off topic of the actual question-

And don’t overlook that the thread-starter got one of her wishes ….doubled….. at a price that doesn’t even include the fair market value of a Kasumi-type pearl, just the findings…….

How wonderful was that? The pearls are going to someone who loves them……. a kiss from the Universe on Mother’s Day, all because Zeide happened to be at this forum, too, spreading some of that “luck” around……….along with her opinion of pearl plating.

[Satine De La Courcel]

Off topic??? Us?? when??? Where????? Never no not anyone here.... LOL....

Ash

[shinju]

Hi Satine and ALL,

I have a powerful aversion to words with initial consonent clusters but I want to thank SLR... for starting this choice tread.


This thread reads like a very superior soap. Even a newcomer like me feels the tensions seething below the pearly waters and then there are the unresolved mysteries of: was it Kevin or Jeremy?; is Zeide the real villain?; is the girl-next-door Caitlin to be trusted????
I'll be watching the next installment on this channel!

Kevin at Pearls of Joy wrote:
" ..... pearls are a luxury item and people never buy luxury items based on practicality and durability. This will never change.."
Pearls being a luxury item is irrefutable but I personally take issue with the second part of his statement. I have practicality (=usability) and durability at the top of my list of criteria for "luxury" purchases but then I'm a woman of very moderate means who has nevertheless purchased three items during the last month from regular contributors to this forum.
I am very curious to know Kevin's views on the motivations behind the purchasing decisions of buyers of luxury items such as pearls.

[Zeide Erskine]

I wonder what I have done to suddenly become a villain and on top of that have Kevin go after my abalone claws. See, that comes from speaking your mind. All of a sudden there is a rush after the things that you could previously pick up at leisure. However, I am fairly sure Kevin is not after the pink abalones. Those dragon fangs are mine, mine, mine until I put together the most mindblowingly dangerous-looking strand and earings in the softest most innocent color one can possibly imagine.

Zeide

[Caitlin]

When I woke up this AM I lay abed and thought. I wondered how to ease the tensions that arise every time the term "pearl-plated" comes up in a thread.

I thought maybe I should start a new thread. I would title it, “The Debate: Tissue or Bead Nucleation? The Pros and Cons of Each”

Then, when the debate starts up on another thread, we can refer it to the appropriate place- to actually argue the points. I think this debate is of immense importance and both sides have pros and cons.

Zeide- Just caught your post. You are another trendsetter, like me.
I was preparing a post for the 22-54" rope thread when I saw this post. The abalone claws are such a great idea.
Manly men have always loved to wear big tooth necklaces. Your necklace idea sounds so good, a lot of people will want to adopt the idea for themselves. You watch it happen. When Kevin puts it on his website, it is mainstream. Wouldn't it be an incredible new direction for pearl merchants to offer, not only the abalone teeth, but the natural Mississippi River mussel pearl teeth such as The Peaches and Latendresses collect?

[Caitlin]

Zeide,
Are you shaking it up? Do you hope the akoya industry collapses into its own treachery and chemical enhancements? Do you recommend the sellers here get rid of their .5mm akoya stock before the big expose hits 60 minutes or other such program? Do you think some merchants here cringe every time you say “pearl plated”? Did the Big Mick notice you and make some kind of threats?

I kinda got that impression, correct me if I am wrong. Anyway, you are my hero. I don’t wonder certain others may think you are the spectre of the ruin of their livelihood……

[Zeide Erskine]

Hi Caitlin,

There are certain issues to ponder. When I first posted on this forum it was basically a shill site for akoyas and Tahitians from J. Shepherd Enterprises. Make no mistake about that. Even the so-called consumer posts read fake like: Should I buy from e-Bay? Did I get freshwater pearls instead of saltwater? With predictable answers from the experts. So, I decided to put in some insights from the serious collector perspective. Yes, the big name in the industry was very upset with me. However, I still think that this very big name company is the greatest scam in the industry. If you want prestige and don't want to learn anything about pearls, get a string of platinum credit cards. Everybody will immediately get the point. I like pearls for their merits and bead nucleated ones do not fit the bill. I certainly do not turn up my nose at freshwater pearls and here is the next big shocker: You can get fabulous deals on eBay if you know what you are doing. However, that involves a lot of knowledge and practice.

Zeide

[Caitlin]

Hi Zeide

Well, I am glad you came here. I think you brought the gift of the discerning customer and expert. You spend money on pearls and know what you like.

Your sophisticated opinion lifts our tastes and cultivates them! Everyone has to know that you are in no one’s pocket- and therefore, they respect your opinion. In fact, if I were a pearl monger, I would not want to argue with you, a customer! I’d just listen and learn, right?

You are teaching us what is valuable and what is a fleeting impulse buy that dissolves as quickly as a glitter-covered circus wand in a child’s hands.

I hope the sellers relax about us expressing our opinions in “The Debate” because I think it will remain a both/and situation: Move over Akoyas, the CFWP’s are here and they are a better buy. I don’t think akoyas sales are diminishing, but the high quality CFWP sales are sure improving for them that has’em…

Me, I hardly even qualify as a customer- I want unstrung pearls, not finished jewelry, but I did learn from and like this site even before you got here, thanks to Jeremy, esp. However, since you got here, my pearl education has taken a huge leap!

I am still waiting for the new book………

[Kevin Canning]

When I first posted on this forum it was basically a shill site for akoyas and Tahitians from J. Shepherd Enterprises. Make no mistake about that.

I find that remark very offensive, this site was create to help the consumers in wading through all the garbage information that is found on the web(AAAA grading systems etc.). Yes of course if the user finds this information helpful, they are more likely to purchase from one of the forum members - but it was not created as a way to funnel traffic or sales to any particular website. That is just a nice by product - trust me, there are a lot easier ways to advertise then to run a forum.

Should I buy from e-Bay? Did I get freshwater pearls instead of saltwater?

Believe it or not, but these are some of the most common questions I get asked. The average person does post and ask where they can get Haliotis Corrugata pearls. Don't worry, I'm not after your claws I like darker colors

As far as the whole debate goes, the problem is you are comparing .001% of freshwater pearls(ie. Freshadamas) to the worst of worst of Akoya pearls, not exactly oranges and oranges.

Listen, I just bought a pair of Prada sunglasses. Do I care if they last more then a year? Not really they will probably be out of fashion by then. Did I buy them because they are built so well? No, I bought them because of the design. Am I a fashion victim? Probably, but I look and feel damn cool in my new shades and to me that is worth the price. That's the nature of buying a luxury item - its about the way it makes you feel.

For better or for worse, most people do not get that "feeling" from buying a $100 strand of freshwater pearls, even though they will last for a 100 years. Durability and practicality rarely gives the consumer that "feeling".

As the great Ron Burgundy once said - I think we'll have to "Agree to Disagree" as I doubt we'll ever see eye to eye. But it sure makes for good reading on the forum

[Kevin Canning]

Move over Akoyas, the CFWP’s are here and they are a better buy.

Hey a Dodge Durgango is a better buy then a Hummer, but they appeal to different people and Hummer will not have to worry about Durangos stealing their market share. Even if Durango owners start posting on forums

[Caitlin]

Prada sunglasses and a Tahitian bracelet........You are SO LA! I can just see you in the above - and your deck shoes, without socks, I presume? enjoying the sun and surf............

I forgot to put that luxury theory in the "pros" section of my new thread. It is the argument you have fallen back on most consistently......it probably should go in there.

[jshepherd]

Seriously, what is this supposed to mean?

When I first posted on this forum it was basically a shill site for akoyas and Tahitians from J. Shepherd Enterprises

Can anyone, anyone on this forum claim that I am here trying to sell akoyas and Tahitians? As many of you know I am much more apt to give away a strand than try to sell them here.

Yes, quality for quality they are more valuable than freshwater - period. Have I stated that numerous times? Yes! Am I right? Absolutely! Good (looking) freshwater pearls are extremely rare and most (even the ones worn by more than 90% of freshwater pearl wearers) are junk. Sure, sure, solid nacre - yes, but fine jewelry - no way! They are worth what they are sold for, a couple dollars a strand. Compare any 50 cent wholesale ($100 retail) Honora strand to even a low-end Akoya necklace!

Akoya and Tahitian pearls are nearly always preferred by women because of the same reason they are shopping for jewelry, they simply look better. The Akoya have the bright shine and round shape women are looking for. Most, nearly all freshwater lack this. Comparing dyed black freshwater to a Tahitian strand...well that is just dumb, I am sorry.

More than 99% of the pearls sold on ebay should have been dumped at harvest, and 99% of pearl sellers on eBay are complete frauds. That is fact as you all know it is extremely difficult to find an auction selling pearls that is truthful - out of the 100,000 pearl auctions live today.