[Casey.R]

I'm thinking of getting a Tahitian pearl on hemp or leather for my father this Christmas. He likes the occasional piece of jewelry and I think he'd like the idea of a Tahitian pearl. I'm pretty sure Pearl Paradise has something like it. Wasn't there a web site that had some from the farm owned by Josh?

[SpaceNeedle]

I think this is the website. http://www.tahitimana.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=32

[john675]

I'm a big believer in the concept - they let guys enjoy pearls while still looking masculine. I have bought several at this point - A 12 mm AAA Tahitian, 12 mm AAA South Sea, 13mm Fresh Water AAA, all from Pearl Paradise. What impressed me was being able to pick out the pearl I wanted. They are super easy to wear and look great. Here's the link http://www.pearlparadise.com/detail.aspx?ID=668. There are a couple others I've seen these but I haven't bought from them myself: http://www.purepearls.com/SearchResu...?CategoryID=23.

After seeing the link to TahitiMana, I like the hemp look as well - maybe that's next...

John

[pattye]

Hi John,

I think it is great that you are wearing and promoting men in pearls! Makes me annoyed every time I hear someone say "Pearls are the only gemstone worn exclusively by women."

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[Caitlin]

I think the immortal Miki-mon missed a bet by promoting pearls only for women (except for a tie tack or two). I am glad we are coming out from those limiting beliefs. Some cultures, like India, used to have men wearing all kinds of pearls, so this does have some precedents.

[Josh]

This is what the hemp model looks like (on me). If you want a bigger pearl, drop Pearl Paradise a line. We aren't really set up to handle special orders.

[GemGeek]

Originally Posted by Josh

[This is what the hemp model looks like (on me). If you want a bigger pearl, drop Pearl Paradise a line. We aren't really set up to handle special orders.

What an excellent necklace model! The fish ensures that no one thinks that pearls aren't 100% manly.

[Josh]

That's right. And I caught it with my teeth.

[Valeria101]

That is unfair advertising if there ever was any!

The pearls-on-rope are for men, not for ladies, right ?

[Josh]

C'mon Ana, where's that open mind? For men and women of course. In college I had a dude in one of my classes that wore a dress sometimes. My respect was endless. Couldn't do it myself, not man enough.

[Valeria101]

Originally Posted by Josh

I had a dude in one of my classes that wore a dress sometimes.

Nooo! Not what I meant There's more in the picture then the pearl, right? And I didn't mean that it could be a nice add for ...fish, either.

[Josh]

Ah, I get it. It's the coconut trees right?

[Valeria101]

Exactly!

[la_corsetiere]

I do like the idea of the very simple pearl-on-a-cord look ("manly, yes, but I like it, too...") I would love to have a pearl that I can truly wear all the time, including when I'm scuba diving (important for us mermaids to look glamorous, without annoying dangly bits or flashing sparkly pieces of metal that may bring us to the attention of sea creatures with large teeth). To that end, is there any concern about a pearl being exposed to salt water? I know this is probably a rather silly question, since these pearls come from salt water, but thought I should ask. What sort of cord would best withstand the elements? Thoughts on using rubber or flexsoft or something similar? Concerns over wear at the pearl hole? Inquiring minds need to know...

Thanks! Sheri

[Josh]

Hi Sheri,
Don't worry about your pearl in salt water. Definitely not a dumb question though. Salt water is corrosive to pearls but only over a very long time and continuously as well. I have been wearing pearl on a cord around my neck for ten years now. I'm in the ocean literally every day and my pearls don't get damaged. On the farm though we have seen the shells of our oysters go flat in a few days in the water.
The most resistant material we sell is carbon fiber. It's encased in a protective coating which prevents it from being itchy. We are actually testing a new material that looks as though it may be even longer lasting. I don't know what flexsoft is but some people do use rubber for active wear pearls.
Also, you are right about worrying about flashy bits in the ocean. A friend of mine had his hand severly damaged by a barracuda striking at his watch while surfing.