A misnomer?

[Joyful One]

I found this forum a few weeks ago and started reading up on pearls. All the talk of the freshadama pearls from pearl paradise was interesting and I decided to do a little bit of google research. I found something interesting that I thought you could discuss.
One this website -
http://www.pearlsonly.com/customerca...kbarticleid=93
It says that freshadama are a misnomer because it comes from hanadama and dama is pearl in japanese. It expands more here - http://www.pearlsonly.com/customerca...d=92&nav=0,3,8
I mostly want to hear JShepard's view on this since I know his company is the only one selling these.

A question to Angela. I saw the article on the jpea tag, but on pearlsonly it says that the tag guarantees that the pearls are japanese akoya. Are they lying? When I asked in their chat the basically hung up on me. Do you have a link to your source?
http://www.pearlsonly.com/customerca...eid=26&nav=0,3

[jshepherd]

Very interesting indeed...thank you for bringing this to my attention.

It says that freshadama are a misnomer because it comes from hanadama and dama is pearl in japanese.

Well, that statement is false. One would assume a company that travels to Japan "every month" to buy pearls would know how to say pearl in Japanese. It is shinju, not dama. Dama comes from "tama" and is simply a round object, like a ball. Also, the term freshadama is clearly a play on words, and the Japanese actually do produce round freshwater pearls - in Lake Kasumi ga Ura. I think the true misnomer is the phrase "Japanese Akoya Pearls" which blankets their Site.
http://www.pearl-guide.com/japanese-akoya-pearls.shtml
We decided to use the term freshadama simply because there are no other strands produced in large quantity like them. They simply do not compare to what merchants call AAA or even Gem. Zeide coined the phrase on this forum, and I really liked it. Mark my words, within the year everyone in the industry will know and use the term.

A question to Angela. I saw the article on the jpea tag, but on pearlsonly it says that the tag guarantees that the pearls are japanese akoya. Are they lying? When I asked in their chat the basically hung up on me. Do you have a link to your source?

I do not mind answering this for Stephen so I get the C&D instead of him
I am surprised to see that phrase on their Site. Stephen (from Angela Carol) is exactly right in his report. I did the fact checking myself. That phrase on pearlsonly is a complete untruth, and will likely be removed before most have a chance to read this post. Here is the source, by the way - the company in Japan that actually produces the blue tag:
http://www.japan-pearl.com/right/new-0.html
Check the last sentence of the first paragraph. We could send Mississippi freshwater pearls to them and they would receive the tag. I think Stephen's report clearly spells out why this tag is a waste of time and money to true pearl professionals.
http://www.pearl-guide.com/jpea-blue-tag.shtml

[Caitlin]

Hi Joyful one
Jeremy put up a picture of a Hanadama strand and next to it a CFW pearl strand that was of equal or better quality and ran a poll to see who could guess which one was which. Most people who answered the poll thought the freshwater strand was the Hanadama.

Here is the picture for those who haven't seen it. Which one is the Hanadama?

When you have a freshwater strand that looks better than a certified Hanadama, it deserves a special name.

So far the feedback on these is incredible. They set a new standard for gem quality- yes I said, gem quality, CFWP. So I say "Thanks" to that pearl place for spelling the name right. Now, any reader can Google the term and get right to the source!

[jshepherd]

You are right, Caitlin. I did not think of it that way! I should send a "thank you" note to "that" other seller. I should not let a pathetic stab bother me either, especially when it is accompanied by a novice-level answer to a perfectly good question.

[jshepherd]

Wow! That was quick. Just a few hours later and the whole "freshadama" thing was removed from PearlsOnly! That was like "Jason Borne" just returning to China from the USA - fast! They must have done their research in stat-mode or something. So do you think someone is out there watching this forum?! Guess we will have to keep an eye out to discuss what comes "next"!

[Caitlin]

Hi Jeremy
That is so funny. ..

Some Sunday AM thots-----

It is great to figure out who is watching this forum- Turns out all the major online dealers do.

Why? I think it is because this forum has managed to reach past just being a shill site for the folks who run it- it actually provides information and (heavens above!) controversy, when we all take sides on hot button issues. I think we broke our own records for numbers of people visiting during the pearl-plating issue, and it was hot, hot, hot! I could hardly wait to see what was going up next!

But somehow we all came out friends and our strongly voiced differences actually helped open up new perspectives, one of which was the first chance to buy the highest quality CFWP to ever come out of China so aptly named the “Freshadamas”.. .

Disclosure: I am not on anyone’s payroll! I do make and sell mostly pearl necklaces, but not online. I first stayed around here to get good answers to my questions. Now I still stay around for that, but also because this forum is the best source for all things pearl. Many dealers who are not officially linked to Jeremy and others here, can and have, posted here. We would welcome a differing statement from the above outfit to the forum- as long as it isn’t a personal attack.

OK now on to solving the, “How to grade pearls” controversy---- You have your Akoya scale, your Tahitian scale, how about using the Tavernier for high quality CFWP?..........

[jshepherd]

Great thoughts to go with morning O-cha (green tea), Caitlin! Any thoughts on the next debate? That was a great one, and probably one of the main reasons many who shadow do not post. If you go hunting without a weapon, or for that matter a leg to stand on, you will typically get eaten alive! Better to just stay home and watch the National Geographic channel

I have a little "something" going on as of this month which will open up the whole Akoya-nacre debate again! Unfortunately my ammo will not be ready for a couple more years

[Zeide Erskine]

Hi Jeremy,

I am thrilled to hear an online vendor taking up the quality issue. Especially nacre thickness on marine pearls. What will be next? Untreated, tissue cultured marine pearls? Wouldn't that be fabulous. Soon the Mystiquery providers will have to source through you. Good luck and keep up the good work.

If you had a sarcastic bone in you, you might offer a Mystiquery option on your website with a Liberace style box, a patented frilly diamond pavé clasp and a 14k capital P stamping to string into the strand as a dangle. Of course, a numbered jewel passport with a photograph of the actual strand plus grading and a gold-embossed mock croc cover will be a must (or dare I say "Myst de Shepherd"). Let such optional Mystiquery package cost 9x the amount of the pearls. I don't think you'll sell many of them, but it sure will get a point across.

Zeide

[Caitlin]

Good AM Zeide and Jeremy

14k capital P stamping to string into the strand as a dangle. Of course, a numbered jewel passport with a photograph of the actual strand plus grading and a gold-embossed mock croc cover

After I quit laughing, it still think Zeide has a point. The Mystiquery option will fly, IMHO! I'd make the initials a distinctive interlocking PP, though!

[jshepherd]

To be the first US partially owned and operated Akoya pearl farm!

[Zeide Erskine]

Hi Caitlin,

If you want to go into the logo thing o.k. But how about an anti-logo? Make the dangle oversized, diamond-pavéd and let it read BS. I recommend selling the anti-logo separately and have it attach with a spring ring clasp so sarcastically minded people can attach and detach it to their whim.

Zeide

[Caitlin]

Well, OK, but only if it costs a gazillion $$$! We must not lose the point here. Good Mystiquery depends on a truly inflated price.

[Caitlin]

Mr. Shepherd is a daring young man. I hope this venture is another milestone in an adventersome life. And I have a daughter.........

[mikehrz]

Funny, just the other day I was thinking that Mr. Shepherd needed to buy himself a pearl farm...

The page is taken down, but Google offers a "cache" function that I think you'll find very interesting.

[mikehrz]

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:m...s&ct=clnk&cd=4\

And

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:L...&ct=clnk&cd=19

Edit : A link to the cached version works better. Sometimes it is better not to give some a right to complain.