Bought more - this time retail (ouch?)

[operavopera]

Well, after my last adventures on eBay and recent great buys on SS pearls in the Philippines, my local jeweler snagged me today. I bought what I think are an exquisite pair of 10mm Tahitians that are a medium green w/silver overtones for $1200 (ouch? ). They look flawless to me, w/incredible luster. Jeweler said they are AA (says that real AAA's are rare). They are also going to set them in an 18k dangle setting w/2 small diamonds on each side (hand made). Total is $1,500 Anyway, I just compared to some of your websites and I see that I paid what looks like full or close to full retail, not the great deal that the jeweler made them sound like. But still, I thought they might be high, but the color is so unique that I had to say yes! I haven't seen a color like this.

One more question: Much of the advice here states that the peacock color is the most valuable. However, my book, The Pearl Book: The Definitive Buying Guide by Antoinette Matlins, states that natural green w/silver grey overtones are extremely rare, and these pearls look like the ones in the book. That's why I jumped at them. I hope that you all don't tell me that this color is not worth as much & that I got burned again because I love them (but want a good investment if I'm going to spend that much). Hoping....

I would post a picture, but don't know how to upload to a website. I may email someone for help. If there is anyone that wouldn't mind my emailing them re how to take decent pearl pictures on macro setting and upload, pls let me know. Someone offered a while back, but I'd better ask again.

[Zeide Erskine]

Hi Opera,

A natural sage green body color with silver overtones is very rare and matched pairs are even rarer. They do command higher prices than peacock pearls and the color cannot be faked (yet).

Zeide

[perlas]

Hi Zeide,
What is sage green? Is this anywhere near the pistachio color?

Hi Opera,
If you love them, they're not that bad. I buy jewelry that I like, instead of following the Mystiquery. Got greenish-bronze tahitians with silver overtones that changes color depending on lighting. Sometimes it's green, sometimes its bronze.

[Zeide Erskine]

Hi Sam,

How do I attach a color swatch to a forum post? Sage green is a pastel greyish green not at all like pistachio. It looks like the green on a well-handled US-dollar bill. Now that you made me explain it, its main appeal is that it is the color of money.

Zeide

[effisk]

Hi there,

to get an idea of the color, here's a link: http://images.google.com/images?q=sage%20green

Opera, if no one has proposed his/her help to upload a pic of your pearls, I'd be glad to help!

I've sent you an email with my email address.

[purepearls]

Tahitians have natural color that varies on all shades of green. The silver overtones along with the light bodycolor are also effecting the color of green that you are seeing. AAA Tahitian pearls are rare but you did pay quite a hefty price for AA 10mm. It is retail, afterall. However, if you love them, that's what matters most!