[Josh]

Here's some cultured tahitian pearls that belong to Sheri (lacorsetiere)who I had the pleasure to meet recently here in Tahiti.

[knotty panda]

Those are lovely too. I love the circles. Such personality.

[Ingykiz]

Beautiful pearls. Circles are my favorite! They sometimes have multiple colors in the groves and I think they have such a organic feel about them. Those are so bright and shiny- they look like X-mas ornaments.

[la_corsetiere]

Hello from the proud owner of these babies! I know that the color of the pearls in the photo doesn't even begin to do them justice (I may just have a dull monitor) - they really DO look like Christmas ornaments, with intense blues, greens, golds, and reds! Josh is a real pearl god! Or perhaps a pearl alchemist? You should have seen me pawing through piles of luscious beauties - if it hadn't been for the fact that I had to catch a plane home last night, I'd probably still be there, transfixed...

Thanks, Josh!!!!!

Sheri (la corsetiere)

[GemGeek]

Congratulations! Can't wait to see more photos!

[AdamLasVegas]

daaaaang....

[Josh]

Thank YOU Sheri. The blue one in the middle could fit into the True Blue 2 thread. More pics on the way.

[gravityalwayswins]

La_corsetiere,

Could you share where you were when you found these beauties? I noticed your "pawing through piles" of them comment - sounds like so much fun!!! As I'm learning and reading through this forum's threads, I'm trying to think of the coolest way to get some fabulous tahitians (or specifically sea or cortez pearls) where I can choose the pearls that I want put into a piece, and make a great trip out of it, too. I'm hesitant to think a trip to a farm would be a good way for an amateur like me to get quality at a price I can trust, but I'm wondering if maybe that's just my lack of knowledge talking.

They are fabulous! Congrats!

[la_corsetiere]

Originally Posted by gravityalwayswins

La_corsetiere,

Could you share where you were when you found these beauties? I noticed your "pawing through piles" of them comment - sounds like so much fun!!! As I'm learning and reading through this forum's threads, I'm trying to think of the coolest way to get some fabulous tahitians (or specifically sea or cortez pearls) where I can choose the pearls that I want put into a piece, and make a great trip out of it, too. I'm hesitant to think a trip to a farm would be a good way for an amateur like me to get quality at a price I can trust, but I'm wondering if maybe that's just my lack of knowledge talking.

They are fabulous! Congrats!

I was very lucky to be in Papeete when Josh was in town, and he was kind enough to arrange to take a little time out of his hectic schedule to meet with me so I could do the pearl-pawing in his office. I ended up incorporating my purchase from Josh into the rope of my dreams...three yards long, using Tahitians of all shapes and colors, with a few South Sea pearls for contrast, ranging from about 8mm up to 16mm. Most of the pearls were from Josh (colors can't be beat!), with some larger ones from the Pearl Market in Papeete (lots of pearls there, but pricey), and some others that I'd been accumulating on e-bay. Looks fairly impressive when I wrap it around my neck six times...

I learned a lot about pearls on my trip, but it definitely helps to shop around to get a sense of price and quality. Don't count on any extraordinary bargains in retail shops in French Polynesia, given the horrible dollar exchange rate, which I was told is half of what it was before 9/11. Once you start looking at pearls, you'll get a better sense of how to judge quality. As far as Sea of Cortez pearls go, as far as I am aware, there is only one farm, so if you can manage a visit to the farm or one of their authorized outlets, I don't think quality is a concern. A local pearl (or a few hundred!) is the ideal souvenir from an exotic vacation! I may have to start investigating Guaymas...

You'll know your pearl(s) when you see it, by the way. The right one has a way of speaking to you.

Sheri
la_corsetiere

[gravityalwayswins]

Originally Posted by la_corsetiere

You'll know your pearl(s) when you see it, by the way. The right one has a way of speaking to you.

heh... it is this I fear! I once fell in love with an amazing gemstone I didn't recognize in a solitaire ring setting at a family jeweler we knew. It was about 1 carat. I REALLY wanted it. Turns out it was alexandrite - the only (to my knowledge) gemstone more expensive than diamonds. The employee looks at my husband and says, "Does she always unknowingly pick out the most expensive thing in the store?" (The unfortunate answer is yes. Needless to say I don't own that ring!)

Thank you so much for sharing! From your comments and others I've read here, Josh sounds like a pleasure to do business with.

[Nerida]

Sheri, do we get to see the dream rope? I'm thinking it could be a common dream - it sounds fabulous! 3 yards??

[Josh]

Hi Gravityalwayswins,
I'm actually hailing from Guaymas, Mexico right now. The swim from the Baja side almost killed me especially after the run from Tucson to Santa Rosalia. But I'm here now and can report that Douglas and his partners Enrique and Manuel have been hard at work and are doing a beautiful thing. You and anyone else interested should definitely visit for the pearls of your dreams.

[youngster]

I second wanting to see pics of that Tahitian rope!

[john675]

Dear Josh and Sheri,
Those green circles are gorgeous. You make pretty pearls, Josh. Sheri, you selected really well!
John

[la_corsetiere]

Originally Posted by Nerida

Sheri, do we get to see the dream rope? I'm thinking it could be a common dream - it sounds fabulous! 3 yards??

Here are a couple photos of my rope...also looks nice doubled and long...

Sheri