[SpaceNeedle]

Found this GSS set on ebay and, to me, the pearls just looked too perfect. I would like to ask you experts out there if you think the set is GSS.

http://cgi.ebay.com/HS-GOLDEN-SOUTH-...742.m153.l1262

[Hanaleimom]

Hi SpaceNeedle,
I am not an expert, just voicing what I see. The pearls are so golden, almost the same color as the clasp itself. I haven't seen any GSS in pictures that have such deep gold. The last 2 pictures that show the whole set (above "Product Specifications"), the pearls on the bracelet don't look round to me. Look at the figure 8 of the bracelet, the bottom part, left side, closer to the bottom. There is one pearl that is definitely off-round. I thought GSS are bead-nucleated, so shouldn't they be round? The opposite side also has some off-round pearls, but not as prominent as the pearl on the left.

I also should add that 12% restocking is more than $1K. Too risky for what maybe dyed FW.

[robinmce]

The color certainly is vivid and almost too matched.
Maybe dyed??? if GSS...

I noticed they used and ugly black thread which seems very odd on such an expensive strand....oh but the leatherette box is included too!!!
Seems you would get better presentation for $12,800!!!
Robin

[pattye]

Hi Spaceneedle,

Lots of goldens are being enhanced these days to deepen the color and command a higher price. Those seem very high priced for the size. I haven't seen many auctions in this price range get into a bidding war and go above the initial price, so they can afford to sell it for $4000 (almost) less than the BIN price and still make a profit. I agree with Robin, knotting with black thread is very strange. He spends a lot of time talking about the diamonds in the clasps, which don't truly add much to the value of the set. It will be fun to check back on his counter and see how many look at that auction, and if anyone bids. Yikes, 12% restocking fee on returned items!!!!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[Nerida]

My thought is that they are SS's, but colour enhanced. If you look through all the GSS listings for this seller, they are all exactly the same colour, and much deeper and more "bronze" than usual, Ithink, for the colour to be natural. Very high retail prices, though! Did you see the strand of GSS 10.5 x 13.65mm for 6.5 GBP!! Now that's expensive!

Whoops, I forgot, you also get a leatherette box with that one, too!

[SpaceNeedle]

Thank you all very much. I did not even notice the restocking fee.

Can someone please explain to me what are involved in color enhancement process? It's not the same as dye, is it?

[jerin]

Hi SpaceNeedle,

I do know nothing of the process itself but colour enhanced means "dye" so far as I know.

[airdancer]

Hi Spaceneedle. Great find but as other have said colour does not look natural. Looks almost brown!

[SpaceNeedle]

A friend of mine just sent this link to me.

http://cgi.ebay.com/HIGHEST-QUALITY-...QQcmdZViewItem

I think I have read some positive comments about this seller (Pearl Emporium). The pearls are gorgeous but I'd like to know what you all think.

Thank you.

[Pearl_dreams]

It's so much more costly than anything else the seller has listed...next highest priced item is a Buy It Now at only $29.95 and completed listings show low priced items. I don't know this seller but that alone would give me pause.

[SpaceNeedle]

Hi Pearl_dreams - That's pretty much what I told my friend. However, this seller has 99% positive feedback.

[jshepherd]

It looks like a nice strand in the photo. But there is nothing in the description about the quality of the strand. That is worrisome as the entire description is hyperbole and this is a total line of garbage. Even if Pearl Emporium has received favorable feedback here, such an outright lie would make me very, very wary of buying anything high-end from them.

OUR RECENT CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES HAS ALLOWED US TO CHOOSE ALL THE VERY BEST OF THE BEST PHILIPPINE SOUTH SEA PEARLS FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS TO RECOUP OUR INVESTMENT. THAT GIVES US A SLOW, BUT STEADY SUPPLY OF THE VERY BEST PHILIPPINE SOUTH SEA PEARLS IN THE WORLD TODAY TO OFFER TO OUR LOYAL PEARL EMPORIUM CLIENTS. WE WILL HAVE OTHERS IN ABOUT THREE MONTHS, BUT WE CANNOT GUARANTEE TO EVER ELLIPSE THIS INCREDIBLE STRAND IN COLOR, QUALITY, VALUE AND PIZZAZZ!

I wonder what Jewelmer would say to a statement like this? I guess they are not going to show up in Hong Kong next month even though they have already sent out emails about the selection they are offering.

Dear Mr. Shepherd,
Warm greetings from Manila!
We are currently collecting and preparing loose pearls for the fabrication of jewelry pieces in preparation for the upcoming September Hong Kong Jewellery and Watch Fair.
We would like to ask you in advance if you would like us to prepare natural golden pearls similar to the pearls strands which are showcased in your website, www.pearlparadise.com. We also have new jewelry designs which can also be added to your pearl collections.
Should you be interested, please don't hesitate to contact us.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thank you very much.
Warm regards,
Ck Dolina
Export Sales Department
Jewelmer

Well I guess this is not happening. I am not going to go now that I know all the best ones are already gone

But seriously, the statements are on par with Pearl Society and their "suspended planting" techniques.

[jshepherd]

I should probably also add that a real, top of the line strand from the Philippines in that size range would cost between $30,000 to $40,000. There is no chance the strand is the "highest quality."

[pattye]

I have had dealings with Pearl Emporium on some of their inexpensive strands. I must say, "Dad" sounds worse than a used car salesman on this one. I wonder if he is trying to sell something on memo. The good feedback on the inexpensive strands should not make you necessarily trust him on this one. There certainly isn't much info, and only one photo??? He had a strand of GSS about 6 mo ago, with a really far fetched story about how he was collecting the pearls----

[SpaceNeedle]

Jeremy/Pattye - Thank you for confirming my suspicious. There are too many red flags for this one.

I have to admit that I do love the strand