[PearlGalNY]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and trying to understand as much as possible about the golden south sea pearl. I'm looking for a single golden AAA quality pearl in order to make a pendant for my mom's 60th birthday. I asked for around 15MM+, deep and even gold color, round with minor blemishes (that can be covered by the setting).

I've been to a few stores and feel that I was quoted some outrageous prices (2500-4000 for a single pearl). Since I live in NYC, I figured that I'd be able to have some choices from wholesellers (or at least get more reasonable pricing).

What are the prices these days for such a pearl and are there any reliable places to get it around NYC or online? Any advice you have for me would be great. I've seen some things online, but am afraid of buying something without seeing it first. Thanks so much.

[Valeria101]

I think my 'comfort' level is around 1k... Much lower and I'd start wondering where on Earth were those guys fishing, so to speak. Not sure 'wholesale' is truly applicable to single pearls. At least, that's my impression as a shopper. You will probably discover that there is quite some difference between 14.5 and 15.5mm - some jump, not sure why. Folks just like to cling to those numbers, methinks.

I am nowhere near NY to answer the other side of your story.

It's been a while since my last worries about buying stuff online went away. Even the shoes fit these days If the shop doesn't have a reasonable return policy, I'm not game anyway. If they do, it's just a small leap of faith to put the time into taking a look at those things coming from the mail. At least this gives more time to consider the goods then any over the counter transaction. Good to get rid of those impulse buying mistakes... for me, at least.

Just a thought.

Hope someone comes up with the NY reference. There were a couple posted in the past, just not sure if any for golden pearls, specifically.

[Raisondetre]

Any of the online vendors here (I think there is a list somewhere) would be able to give you a good price. I've personally only bought from the Shepherd brothers (nice ring to it) and I'm always impressed by the quality and the price. There is a generous return policy as well.

Now that I think about it, Terry might have a NY outlet but I can't for the life of me remember where I saw that.

[Kevin Canning]

a 13-14mm AAA pearl is going to run around $800-1000. To go to the 15mm+ range its going to depend on whats available at the time of your purchase. As others have mentioned its best to give a few pearl-guide.com vendors a call and see what they have in stock.

[jshepherd]

I agree with Kevin. The larger golden pearls are really "hit and miss". This goes for Tahitians as well. White South Sea are somewhat stable as 15-16 is not considered "huge".

A gem-quality golden South Sea in that size with a strong dark-gold coloration will likely cost you more than $10k currently, even on a wholesale level (if you can find a single pearl). A lighter-color pearl, or one with blemishing, would be much more reasonable.

[jerin]

Originally Posted by jshepherd

I agree with Kevin. The larger golden pearls are really "hit and miss". This goes for Tahitians as well. White South Sea are somewhat stable as 15-16 is not considered "huge".

A gem-quality golden South Sea in that size with a strong dark-gold coloration will likely cost you more than $10k currently, even on a wholesale level (if you can find a single pearl). A lighter-color pearl, or one with blemishing, would be much more reasonable.

Jeremy

not being used to US-abbreviations whit regard to figures do You mean to tell us that a single GSS with deep suturation, without blemishes is costing 10,000 dollars wholesale?

If there are other abbreviations for us "NO AMERICANS", please write them down as well.....
Thanks

[jshepherd]

In that size range for a true gem grade with deep saturation, $10,000 would be about right. To get a deal wholesale one would have to buy a good-sized lot. But a pearl as described is very, very rare. You would know the pearl is in the lot before you buy.