[jshepherd]

Originally Posted by carehret

Hello all of you wonderful PG'ers!
I need to chime in here. In regards to my grading system, I see, handle and work with thousands of pearls each year. After all these years I have developed my own personal grading system which has caused some great distress among many. I realize a lot of you may think this is ludicrous, but it's all done by my developed trained eye. I understand now I should stress this in my listings, so many changes are coming in the near future. One being a new website!
I love what I do, so my listings are extreme in the descriptions to exude my passion to all.
BTW, we just made a trip to Guaymas, Sea of Cortez. The 2008 harvest is SUPERB!

Sincerely,
Carolyn

I don't think Caitlin meant anything bad by it. I think what she was saying is that you are trust-worthy even though there is no grading on your auctions.

Things like the following, I would not consider a grading system at all.
EXCEPTIONAL FINEST GEM QUALITY
Finest AAAAA+++++QUALITY
SUPERB FINE RARE AAA GEM QUALITY

[carehret]

Hi Jeremy,

Thank you for your kind reply. I understand Caitlin did not mean anything bad at all. She has always been one of my greatest supporters. Yet, I do appreciate you explaining what she meant and for your input.

I find many pearl farmers and vendors have their own grading system. For instance while visiting Guaymas and viewing the Sea of Cortez 2008 harvest, the farmers have added a new grade, The National Selection.

I am currently re-vamping my listings to encourage the true real grading system of pearls.

I don't know if I've ever told you that your website is the most informative on the web. The very BEST. Thank you for all you do.

Sincerely,
Carolyn

[Caitlin]

Eugene,

I am delighted you have certificates! Can you post the cetificates? Or at least name the certification lab? That is the bottom line for estimating their value on the American Market.

[Caitlin]

Personally, I love "carrot's" pearls. Do you hate that version of your Name, Care? My daughter called you that because she misheard me saying saying your name correctly. (We have some posts about nicknames on another thread and the recipients often do not love them.)

I love the way Care has relationships going back many years with Mar de Cortez Perlas , and others, and that she features Josh's pearls too. I too, pick up her enthusiasm/passion for pearls from her ads and just ignore her ratings.

When one sells designer pearls, as hoards of folks here do, even if they are commercial grade pearls the finished products don't need a grade. They just need descriptions and photos.

Those commercial grade pearls often have excellent luster, it is usually shape and less luster that gets them dyed and sent to the GL&W and other such shows.

PS Even if some people are critical of her sytem of grading, I meant only nice comments about Care's style. I am entirely inconsistant on this, but I bow to her designing skills.

[carehret]

Many many thanks Caitlin, for your extra kind words!

I understand a major problem which believe it or not never occured to me. I do consider pearls to be gems. When I use Exceptional Fine Gem Quality, I am not nor was ever implying that the pearl was gem quality..Woops!! As I have worked with rare gemstones for several years before adding pearl gems to my designs, this was the standard for gemstones, at least in my world of gems and minerals.

Enjoy,
Carolyn

[effisk]

Originally Posted by Mervione

I didn`t know you could get south seas in Tahiti.

So you are saying that all other pearls than the ones from Japan are completely natural? Interesting.

There are no South Seas (Pinctada maxima) in Tahiti, only "black" pearls from P. margaritifera. And by "natural", Eugene means natural colors.

[carehret]

P.S. Caitlin, I like the nickname!

[Casey.R]

Oooh, love the last photo. South Sea pearls are one of my favs.

[Casey.R]

I've bought from carehret several times and been VERY pleased.

[Mervione]

Originally Posted by effisk

There are no South Seas (Pinctada maxima) in Tahiti, only "black" pearls from P. margaritifera. And by "natural", Eugene means natural colors.

I was well aware of this. I was sarcastic. As far as I know, there are no golden south sea pearls in Australia, so unless I'm wrong, where did he get the pearls? And calling natural coloured pearls natural pearls are misleading.

[GemGeek]

I have seen plenty of goldens from Australia in Paspaley's grading room in Darwin and there were several in the morning's harvest when we were aboard the Paspaley III.

They are a sweet little percentage of the harvest that rarely come in the saturated golds of Indonesia -- mainly because the goal is perfect, white & round.

[Caitlin]

So you are saying that all other pearls than the ones from Japan are completely natural? Interesting.

And calling natural coloured pearls natural pearls are misleading.

Hi Sweetie, er Mervione!
I don't know how you got that. I think he said only the color is natural. Please, show me in which post you saw it.

[Eugene]

I was referring to the color only, and I think you know that. If not, let me say I was only talking about the color.

[Mervione]

I didn't refer to his posts, I meant his signature.

"cultured pearls from Japan" This sort of imply that the other pearls (SSP, tahitians and freshwaters.) are natural. I'm just picky.

[Eugene]

Thank you for your message to Effisk that there are Goldens in Australia.

Eugene

Originally Posted by GemGeek

I have seen plenty of goldens from Australia in Paspaley's grading room in Darwin and there were several in the morning's harvest when we were aboard the Paspaley III.

They are a sweet little percentage of the harvest that rarely come in the saturated golds of Indonesia -- mainly because the goal is perfect, white & round.