Gem grade freshwater sellers in Australia?

[Wejay]

Hello and firstly thank you to all the people on this forum who have freely provided their knowledge to help educate newbies like me to learn more about pearls. I've spent many hours reading - I think I'm going blind from it actually. And the photos are wonderful to see, especially the macro shots! Much appreciated

So now I'm desiring to start my collection. I'd love to select and buy pearls in person but as I'm in Western Australia that's tricky. We're a long way from anywhere and prices here are over the top! Buying from overseas adds time and high shipping costs, especially if any item had to be returned/exchanged.

So I'm wondering if there are reputable Australian online sellers of jewellery made with gem grade freshwater pearls, such as the quality of the Freshadama brand that gets such good reviews. Can anyone advise me? Many thanks!

[pearlescence]

You want Nerida Harris who is a member here - you can reach her via www.pearlperfection.co,.au

[pattye]

You might also like to take a look at CatherineCardelliniPearls.com, she is a member here also.

So many wonderful pearls are not gem quality!

Doubt if anyone stocks more true gem quality pearls than Pearl Paradise, and please remember, not everything is listed on ones' website either, so if you are wanting something very specific, do directly contact merchants about what is available.

[Adeline Leigh]

Hi Wejay,

I bought pearls and more all the time back when I was living in Melbourne (2 years back). Great to see your interest in our favourite subject! I think if you weed out the really crap sellers by educating yourself here on PG first, you'd make fewer mistakes that way.

Also, there's Nerida and Cathy in Australia. But do give a chance on Pearl Paradise, Wendy and Pattye and so many other online retailers especially those who'd stake their professional reputations by their very presence here on PG. Unless you are looking at buying the high value tahitians or south sea pearls, shipping shouldn't be such a great deterrant. Would it? You could also try contacting Katbran on PG. She too is in Western Oz I believe. Perhaps she'd let you in on some local vendors.

I'm a massive online shopper And so far it's been good. Keep on reading and expanding your pearl education. You'd make fewer mistakes that way!

[Amrita]

Hi Wejay! Nerida and Cathy are both located in Australia.
You could also buy directly from China....its really easy when it is from a reputed vendor. :-)

[lisa c]

And Amrita is The Woman! there in China. At least, you should take a look at her video as she negotiates for "True" size for her pearls and full length strands.
I think you can get to her video from her website?

Good luck with your quest!

[Caitlin]

If I bought pearls professionally and did not want to go to China myself, I would certainly negotiate with Amrita and fine tune her to the pearls I want her to shop for- she is right there all the time! Wherever she is!

Wouldn't it be great if she could Skype with you as she shops for you? The day is probably already here.

[Wejay]

Thanks so much for the info and links. Based on these, I have made two purchases and now eagerly awaiting their arrival. This could be the start of something big... big and expensive.

[Amrita]

Thanks Lisa and Caitlin for your confidence in me! Skyping while I shop around....hmm that's an idea worth exploring....:-)
That's the video of me being rather stern, I think, while buying pearls.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFN5v8ClxPo
Ha ha - enjoy!

[Amrita]

Oh and Caitlin, I am in Beijing....please fine tune me...;-)

[Katbran]

Darn...I need a translator!! Amrita you were certainly looking stern...what was the jist of the conversation?

[Katbran]

Don't forget to post some photos of your purchases!!! We love photos!

[Caitlin]

You look very competent in that video. You seem very comfortable with the language. I don't buy -or sell any more- I just sayin', if I did.....

[Adeline Leigh]

Amrita, I'm super impressed. You have a "beijing qiang" while you are at it and that curling of the tongue!?! How did you learn it? How long did it take you?
It took me 10 years of schooling to master Chinese at a first language level (no thanks to Anglophile parents) which is a humiliation as I AM CHINESE!

I say go fiercer, way fiercer; these Chinese, they can take the heat. You should throw in a couple of table-slammin' gestures as well

Kat, Amrita was sternly inquiring as to why her pearls were not as she had expected. I can't remember the details as I watched it 45 minutes ago but if I'm not wrong the numbers "7 - qi" and "7.5 - qi dian wu" were being asserted and denied.

You go, Amrita!

[Amrita]

Aww, thanks for the kind comments ladies, and for the translation Adeline!
Adeline, I have been living in China for 13 years now - 11 in Tianjin, and 2 in Beijing. When I came here, I had a tutor come home to teach me and my husband the basics of the language twice a week. But we had to stop after about 2 months, as what we were learning was not what we practically needed to use. So we just took some phrase books, help books etc., and started to speak whatever we could. Over time and with practice, this is the level that it has been able to come to. I actually love the Chinese people, and have learnt how to deal with their characteristics of doing business - it is fun. No hand slapping involved, I assure you.

I am basically a Chartered Accountant by profession, and for 8 out of te 13 years that we've been here, I have been in high profile Finance jobs with international organisations.....but I did come to realise that pearls is my real love and calling and so I immensely enjoy what I do - which is connect with people from all over the world and supply them the beauty and grace that only pearls can bring....My hubby runs his business consulting firm here helping foreign companies do business with China so it has worked out fine that way.

Kat, for pictures, have a look at my albums on my profile page, or on my website below, or my the Facebook page given below. I will also try and put up some photos later...