Tahitian? Or freshwater? Cairnspearls58, beware

**Caitlin** · 02-16-2012, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by pearlescence

Nerida...is there a local council trading standards who could sort this person out? He claims at least to be in Australia

How do you report such fakery to ebay? I had a poke around but could not find

On the listing is a place that says "report this listing."

**Lagoon Island Pearls** · 02-16-2012, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by cairnspearls98

my items are natural barquoe tahitian pearls which i buy from a wholesaler as i have been for the past 10 years.

There has not been a wholesale dealer in natural Tahitian baroques for a century, no less the past ten years. Even if there was, wouldn't you think one of us would know who that is? If such a person exists, wouldn't they proudly specify who that is?

**Caitlin** · 02-16-2012, 10:52 PM

OK If those are Tahitians, shut my mouth. This one is really pretty. I like it. I looks great. It cost $20.00 AUS. Josh had a very similar shaped Kamoka that sold for several hundred dollars. Was the difference in price due solely to the gold used? ( Josh used real gold, this guy uses plated) How can this guy sell such a pretty Tahitian for $20.00? Think I should buy it?

**jshepherd** · 02-16-2012, 11:08 PM

A dyed, low-grade freshwater on a plated setting for $20? That seems a bit steep

**jshepherd** · 02-16-2012, 11:15 PM

Every one of these listed as Tahitian pearls are dyed freshwater pearls.

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/CAIRNS-PEAR..._sid=153022177

Sad ... very sad. But seriously, this is par for the course with eBay. Just for fun, see if you can find one actual Tahitian pearl here -

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trkp...&_sop=15&_sc=1

You could spend a long time going through the listings, or just switch the search to Highest Price First. That's the only way to find the real deal.

**Caitlin** · 02-16-2012, 11:26 PM

Also, so a search for Tahitians -black, that removes all the freshwaters. Top down is the right way to search, I think.

One dead giveaway for dishonest people selling freshwaters as other kind of pearls, is they usually charge steep freshwater prices. I suppose if they really charged Tahitian prices, if would be different. As it is they still only pay a steep charge for what it is worth, with a lie, not 10-20x what it is worth, with a lie.

BTW
Cairn 58 stopped me from buying from him or subscribing to his newsletter, but he can't prevent me from putting his stuff on my WATCH list!

**Pearl Dreams** · 02-16-2012, 11:59 PM

*Applause* for Caitlin!

**pearlescence** · 02-17-2012, 07:42 AM

I wrote as well and asked why he was selling freshwaters as tahitians but he hasn't answered.
I tried report this listing but it only lets you report for fraud (of the nothing sent variety) and stuff like that. (or copyright) or I got it all wrong

**Amanda** · 02-17-2012, 09:00 AM

At this price ($30k!) these should be real:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/W-15-17mm-Ta...item2eb8f33d9f

But I'm not that keen on them, from that photo, they look a bit dull.

These are also real, I reckon? I don't know the seller but they look real (and nice, but I like circled pearls a lot)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/9-1mm-10-8mm...item519867b30f

**pearlescence** · 02-17-2012, 09:15 AM

The round strand seems expensive, and it seems incredibly tight to then charge $8 for the certificate from some unknown lab on top of that.
Pearl society is a reputable seller with honest pricing - sometimes bargains to be had in fact.

**imanit** · 02-17-2012, 12:15 PM

I can vouch for Pearl Society too. I bought from them few times. Excellent communication, great service, they are always happy to send more pictures... I never regretted a purchase I made from them.... and as Wendy said: sometimes you WILL get a bargain....

**pattye** · 02-17-2012, 03:43 PM

Those really large Tahitians are probably from the third seeding, and I've learned from previous discussions here, they don't have the great lustre the first harvest pearls do. Like the ringed pearls, too!

**Caitlin** · 02-17-2012, 04:18 PM

Now we need someone from AUS to buy one of his singleton tahitians for $20. plus postage. That will be fraud.

Hey Cairnspearls58.

Be afraid.

Be afraid of whom you may sell to in the US, England or AUS. Anyone, upon receiving those fake baroque black Tahitians, will have real grounds for fraud.

Unless you put on each page, somewhere, that they are cultured freshwaters even if you don't say "grown in China"!

Remember, I can still "watch" any item of yours I wish to watch. I hope you begin dealing in an honest and responsible way.-well, forget that, but I hope you do include the truth in the small print, even as you do for the gold plating.

**Caitlin** · 02-17-2012, 04:25 PM

BTW I think the above pictured are fantastically beautiful, and a decent price. Jose from Tahitian pearls was selling one similar for about the same or less before Christmas! That is a super-rare necklace, but may get more popular, if it sells. I am so glad you pictured it here. It is really lovely.