[Mikeyy]

These are real bad pictures. But maybe I can show you. The stained nuclei are actually a pretty good stuff for Tahiti. The group that you can see a little luster and fisheye on is 1st grade U.S.. The last group is Giant Clam. It is whiter and more uniform. Its almost like ceramic. Anyway, I hope you can see it. Mikes 10 minute photo company.

[Mikeyy]

One more try.

[Hanaleimom]

My memory is fuzzy right now as I am still in vacation mode. Is Maxima/Giant Clam shell illegal for using as nuclei (did I read that here)? So stained nuclei are better than maxima nuclei (which is cheaper), therefore it's more economical for them to use maxima, but it's really illegal? TIA for your answers.

[Mikeyy]

Originally Posted by Hanaleimom

My memory is fuzzy right now as I am still in vacation mode. Is Maxima/Giant Clam shell illegal for using as nuclei (did I read that here)? So stained nuclei are better than maxima nuclei (which is cheaper), therefore it's more economical for them to use maxima, but it's really illegal? TIA for your answers.

I'm sorry about that. Maxima is perfectly legal. Its just that good Maxima shell makes for valuable MOP (Mother of pearl). So its not used very much for Nuclei production. Although I understand that's what Josh say's he uses. And besides it has a creamy color when you make it in to Nuclei. Giant Clam is Illegal to use. Its very white. Very consistent in appearance. Like I said. Almost like ceramic. Also if you look carefully where a Giant Clam bead breaks it appears a bit frosty.

[jshepherd]

The pictures does not look like P. maxima mother of pearl. I believe Josh was using P. margaritifera.

The mother of pearl nuclei I have seen has striations, but they do not appear to be on the surface. The MOP beads do not seem as opaque as the mussel beads.

I would think the bead in the photo is either a really high-grade nuclei (whish would be very odd) or Tridacna.

[waimeamomi]

Wish Iʻd known you were around Hanaleimom, I was just hanging out and would have loved to have pearl browsed on the Big Island. We do have a lot of Tahitian connections here, and Tahitian pearls have been around and known for a longer time than in some parts of the world, as you probably know. There is a woman who sells beautiful strands at our local farmerʻs market, great color, shapes etc. She had a multi-color of Iʻd say 10mm (at least) really fabulous everything pearls for $5000. Her son-in-law has a farm and she goes and gets them. Good price, but out of my range. The stores are very high, although sometimes with a HI drivers license you can get a Kamaʻaina discount, but still expensive. Isnʻt it interesting that people prefer to pay more and buy from a store. Is that a security issue, or just habit? I sell my pieces for literally 25% of what you would pay in a store, and not just a jewelry store. I have them in a fine art gallery on consignment. Yesterday I was in the local bead store and saw a gemstone and pearl necklace similar to mine for 4 times what I would charge. However, the higher end pieces that are the best deals elicit such nerves. I guess you could go to Macyʻs and buy the totally lusterless, flat, grey down right ugly Tahitians I saw yesterday. ughhh. Although my husband bought me a pair of Tahitians from there about 6 years ago, and they are actually really nice pearls. Alooooha

[waimeamomi]

P.S. it makes me sad to see whatʻs inside.

[Mikeyy]

Originally Posted by waimeamomi

P.S. it makes me sad to see whatʻs inside.

Don't sweat it. Its an industry problem. You have beautiful pearls. Enjoy them.

[Hanaleimom]

Originally Posted by waimeamomi

Wish Iʻd known you were around Hanaleimom, I was just hanging out and would have loved to have pearl browsed on the Big Island. We do have a lot of Tahitian connections here, and Tahitian pearls have been around and known for a longer time than in some parts of the world, as you probably know. There is a woman who sells beautiful strands at our local farmerʻs market, great color, shapes etc. She had a multi-color of Iʻd say 10mm (at least) really fabulous everything pearls for $5000. Her son-in-law has a farm and she goes and gets them. Good price, but out of my range. The stores are very high, although sometimes with a HI drivers license you can get a Kamaʻaina discount, but still expensive. Isnʻt it interesting that people prefer to pay more and buy from a store. Is that a security issue, or just habit? I sell my pieces for literally 25% of what you would pay in a store, and not just a jewelry store. I have them in a fine art gallery on consignment. Yesterday I was in the local bead store and saw a gemstone and pearl necklace similar to mine for 4 times what I would charge. However, the higher end pieces that are the best deals elicit such nerves. I guess you could go to Macyʻs and buy the totally lusterless, flat, grey down right ugly Tahitians I saw yesterday. ughhh. Although my husband bought me a pair of Tahitians from there about 6 years ago, and they are actually really nice pearls. Alooooha

Hi Waimeamomi,
There was no TAH strands at Hilo's farmer's market, that I saw. You must be talking about Waimea, yeah? I stopped by Black Pearl Gallery on the bayfront next to Cafe Pesto too. They used to carry more strands but I did not see many this year. But I did not ask. Last year she brought out stuffs not on display. I did not really want to waste much of their time since I have no intention of buying. Last year I saw a strand I really liked but it was way out of budget for me. I checked prices of some baroque strands on display as well as earrings and passed. I also stopped by Macy's at PKP and saw some $2K strands that were ugly and lusterless like you said. We passed by Waimea on the the way back from Mauna Kea beach last Monday. The haze was on the west side for hours. That's why I like the east side better, less commercial and touristy, small, old town feeling, less vog, eventhough it was the wild west. LOL. Sending my shaka your way.

[waimeamomi]

Yes, the farmerʻs market in Waimea. The vog keeps shifting, but the lack of trade winds kept it bad the week you were here. Yesterday I was in Hilo, my daughter at Hapuna, and it was drop dead gorgeous in both places. Trades!! Shaka right back at you!

[richipat]

Beautiful pictures and great shots.
The prices...were..uh... a tad high.

Makes me want to give <<<cyber squeezes>>> to all our online vendors!!

Pat

[Sueki]

Thanks for the pics. Cathy.
Wow !
I love the 9k. one too; but I wouldn't turn my nose up at the 72" strand, either....

[Nerida]

Cathy, I've just come back for a second look at the pearls - got caught up in the nucleus stuff the first time round...

Gorgeous pearls - I agree with everone else that the 9k strand looks fabulous! The 72 inch one seems to be wearing you, though - rather than the other way around!

[Hanaleimom]

Originally Posted by Nerida

The 72 inch one seems to be wearing you, though - rather than the other way around!

Yep. My husband said the same thing.

[Kaywal]

Great photos! I too like the 9k strand the most.
Looks smashing on you!