Help for a Newbie--choices

[skt]

I am searching for a gift for my daughter who is graduating from college this year. I have lurked on this site for a while trying to learn a bit and would appreciate your opinions.
My daughter is very petite, barely 5' and 100 lbs. She has medium to dark skin tones with brown eyes and brown-drk brown hair. Some might say yellow overtones for her skin tone, but pink is her favorite color. With the help of her sisters we have narrowed to a Pink Freshwater Pearl Necklace. I would like to stay around $500. I am looking at PurePearls and PearlParadise websites. This is where I would love some help. My first thought was a 35" necklace would be most versatile, then I start moving between quality and size and my head begins to spin. As a complete novice, how much difference is there between the AA+, AAA and either sites highest quality? Luster would be more important than roundness to her. Then I thought I could move to a larger pearl at a 16" length and with her petite frame, it would be quite a statement. Would love to hear your ideas on quality, size, and length for her. Thanks so much to all of you willing to share your knowledge.

[lisa c]

Hi skt, welcome to PG! There's an awful lot to cover; you aren't hitting a cone of silence here, we're thinking how to reply...

[Lindaphillipsbong]

Hello SKT:
I am a a newbie as well.
So, take my advice with a grain of salt .... but I think the shorter lengths are a bit more versatile, and maybe could be worn with either a casual or a dressed-up outfit.
I think though, that any length is a wonderful gift.
Linda.

[lisa c]

Hi, here are two threads where a lot of the posters talk about these questions
Go to top left area of this page, find FORUMS button
Go to Consumer Pearls Q&A
Scroll down to
"Looking for info on how to buy pearl necklace"

and then go further to
"Advice $500 budget want to buy a nice strand for my wife"

I'll continue looking. Recently there was a thread discussing whether buyers felt the jump from AA+ to AAA to Hanadama or Freshadama was significant.

I hope you enjoy what you read here!

[Adeline Leigh]

My first thought was a 35" necklace would be most versatile, then I start moving between quality and size and my head begins to spin. As a complete novice, how much difference is there between the AA+, AAA and either sites highest quality? Luster would be more important than roundness to her. Then I thought I could move to a larger pearl at a 16" length and with her petite frame, it would be quite a statement.

This is such a sweet post. I had to respond.

Firstly PP and Pure Pearls are both great vendors. But there are numerous people here on PG who have great reviews and testimonies on the help they received from PP.

Secondly, your sweetie's young and petite. That's what I gather. If I were to bring myself back to that age on the cusp of graduation and all the other adult milestones that come along with it, I'd want the pearls to be an extension of my personality. That sort of drives young women these days, I think.

So if I'm a classic dresser, a 16" is good. Then I'd go for the quality pearl (AA - because I'm not that fussy and probably can't really tell the difference in quality at that age) and a more manageable size at 6-7mm. Don't want to outshine my bosses at work with my big honking pearls, do I?

Longer opera and matinee lengths, to me, are a little dressier. So unless attending evening soirees are de rigeur or you see her draping lengths and lengths of pearls for a boho look, I'd probably stick to the classic that'll give her mileage into her 30's.

Well I speak for myself but in summary, if I were your sweetie and her size:
~ 20's: It's about finding myself and if I havent really found my aesthetic yet, then a classic 16" is good. AA quality, 6-8 mm's tops.
~ 30's: It's all about myself and who I am and I would then go for quality AAA and of course, size matters, so 9-10 mm's. And if I can afford it, then I'll upgrade to the opera length for versatility (drape it, coil it around the wrist etc. as I'd be bolder about wearing my jewellery now)
~ 40's and above: I'd say heck it, I owe it to myself and I'll wear the finest tahitians and south sea pearls. Coz I'm so worth it

LOL. Can you tell which decade I'm in?

[Adeline Leigh]

Oh and yes, lustre is defintely more important than roundess

Hope I havent confused you even more by now!

[KarinK]

Hi - and welcome

I agree that the longer necklace could feel more dressy. But I'm thinking about what your daughter's style is like. Does she like large jewelry? Is she shy as well as petite? Is she a "jeans, pony tail and a cute top" kind of person? What are her favorite pieces of jewlery right now?

If you've been lurking, you'll know that no pearls are ever wasted, nor obsolite. You just guide her to PG, and she can learn in time to restring and redesign whatever she has when she wants a change of style I believe the most important thing is to get her something she'll wear right now. She'll always love the pearls because of the connection, but wouldn't it be great if she also wore them with love - right away, and not in 10 or 20 years?

- Karin

PS
Loved your outline, Adeline Now I know why I fell in love with salt water pearls

[Lindaphillipsbong]

Haha Adeline! We ARE all so worth it!

[Sea Urchin]

My thoughts: I'd go with white, if it was my daughter. When I've ordered colors, I have usually returned them. "Pink" is not usually really pink, for example. They're tricky.

Also, I'd go with the highest quality pearl offered. With $500, you don't need to compromise between luster and roundness, so why not have both?

16" is very short, I think 18" might be more versatile.

So, I'd start with white freshwater pearls, 7 mm minimum (6mm is tiny, it seems more teenagerish to me, even if she is petite. 7mm is standard size). I'd also toss in the matching earrings, and, a touch larger than the strand makes them really pop, in my opinion. But, if it was me I'd go for quality first, over length or size of pearl.

But of course most important is just what she would like the most, so just my thoughts and based on not knowing her.

Let us know what you get!

[skt]

Defining her style is a challenge; frilly & flirty would be the most pronounced. She is quite eclectic. I would throw in a bit of boho, then top if off with her current facebook pic, (think incredible hulk muscle pose in shorts & cutoff tee). Stir this all up and out pops this incredible young woman venturing out into the world. -I think I need a smiley icon with a single tear now...
I will sleep on it, but, I can find a high quality 7.5-8.0 mm in the 16 or 18 well within my budget, leaving room to add earrings. The pearl bug is hard to shake, a Tahitian on a leather cord would be a great birthday present for her this August.

Adeline, I must admit I am very tempted to start another thread. "How many daughters must I graduate before I get my OWN big bold Tahitian strand?"

Thanks to each of you. I appreciate you taking the time to answer crazy questions. Some decisions seem to shout my ineptness and I need someone to push me over the invisible line that 'Yes, this is a good idea'

[Amrita]

Hi skt! Welcome!!
I would think if your daughter likes pink, give her pink.:-) In 6-7 mm, top quality freshwater, 18 inches with a matching bracelet, I would say...You could also add a pair of stud earrings with this if you like. It would all easily be within your budget. Another option would be to go for a lovely multi-color set in the same size and quality....more versatile probably..here's an example

https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...type=1&theater (hope the link works...)

There are some really nice suggestions and advice from Adeline and Sea Urchin above.
Where are you located, btw?

Best wishes.

[Adeline Leigh]

.
I must admit I am very tempted to start another thread. "How many daughters must I graduate before I get my OWN big bold Tahitian strand?"

LOL. It's time to reward you soon. Hang around PG and before you know it, you've done it.

My personal preference on pearls is the weird and the wonderful. But I'm very sentimental about jewellery. It marks key milestones in my life and the not so important just-so occasions. My late grandma gave me lovely coral and pearls, and my mum jade and diamonds (with so many stories of feudal China) when I was in my 20's. Never appreciated it at all, frankly, till now, late 30's, when I'm cognizant of the monetary and sociocultural value. Hee

Have two girls myself. Am always thinking of the legacy I want to leave them. This post makes me so wistful.

Good luck on your decision.

[pattye]

skt,

Welcome,

You've got lots of great ideas to consider, and a nice budget to work with. You could ask for the pearls to be strung to 17 inches, which might be a better proportion for your daughter. Agree that 8mm would be a lovely size, pinks are almost a neutral now! No doubt, just a start on the pearl collection! Do let us know what you decide!

[lisa c]

She sounds delightful!

[Isabelle35]

Good luck for your purchase! Yes, please let us know what you decide for your daughter! And her reaction when she will receive the gift!