[Peggysue]

I've recently refamiliarized my love of pearls, and have been in shock for about six months with how much there is to know. I plan to expand my scanty collection, however, when $$ for quality pearls and sufficient education is all in place. I'm very, very impressed with three internet sites, one is Amanda's and the other Pearl Paradise.

I just noticed a couple of days ago the necklace on this link:

http://www.pearlparadise.com/detail.aspx?ID=599


How can this pearl necklace be so affordable? I do hav to say the price drop makes me leery, as I've seen all kinds of dishonesty on the web. I have no reason to suspect Mr Shepards store, as his advice and knowledge on this site has saved me from bad and costly mistakes. So, excuse me for asking, but what is the catch? Why the special price? The discount looks terrific, but nothing short of just throwing it at me. (And I am seriously considering purchase.)

Thanks!!

Peggysue:

[jshepherd]

Peggysue,

That particular piece is so inexpensive because it is our monthly special. Also, it is not a 'prefab' piece, we actually drill the pearl and set the diamond in our office. So we pay component wholesale for each part.
I had found a great deal on a large, peacock lot of Tahitian drops last summer, and we had not found a use for them, so we decided to put them into this monthly special.

[Peggysue]

J Shepard,

Thanks for the quick response, and information. Outstanding

Peggysue

[purepearls]

Hi Peggysue,
If you have any questions about Tahitian pearls or what you may be interested in, do not hesitate to contact me. I would be glad to help you!

[thepearlsource]

Hi Peggysue,

Baroque Pearls are typically the least expensive type of pearls available. Many vendors will typically try to incorporate baroque pearls into their jewlery becasue it tends to be the most profitable, especially when dealing with larger pearls. A pearl to be that cheap is not such a big deal, larger vendors do it all the time to get you into their store. Thanks

[jshepherd]

I see this differently. I do not think most designers use baroque pearls simply because the cost or value is lower than that of perfect rounds, these pearls simply present themselves better in pieces designed around the uniqueness of the pearl, not the classic look. I feel the design of the piece draws the customers into the store, not the perceived value of the pearl. Designers often use combinations of stones and gold which add to the actual value of the pieces. Customers are paying for a piece of ‘art’, not simply for the value of a single pearl.
The piece we are selling on our 'monthly special' combines a gem-quality drop Tahitian with a $900/ct diamond and 14k setting and chain. I really do not think you can honestly claim we are trying to 'get people into our store' with this piece. This is obviously a piece we are basically giving away as a monthly special. Do the math, the margin is less than 10%.

[Pearls_by_Angela_Carol]

I believe that there is also come confusion between Baroque pearls and Drop/Pear shaped pearls. The Baroque/Ringed is a different shape category. The pendant in question in this thread is not Baroque.

Excellent quality drop or pear shape Tahitians, while not as valuable on their own as rounds, are still considered very valuable. They are also very sought after in pieces of jewelry such as pendants simply due to their shape. The pear shape lends itself very well to both earrings and pendants making a very unique piece (or work of art).

[Karen Overgaard Radelet]

Hello I'm a new member. I've invested many$$$ in the last several years in Baroque South Sea pearls I collect whole strands in unusual colors from different parts of the world: from Kasumiga, Japan to Myanmar to Australia to Indonesia to Tahitian.
I'm a collector. I like the character of unround pearls. My critique is luster, large size and color uniformity in a strand. I like baroque strands because they can be worn with anything - from blue jeans to black tie events. I would feel uncomfortible wearing a round strand to the grocery store. Too formal for my lifestyle. A baroque strand is special because each pearl has it's own life scars and unique physical composition. I have a round tahitian strand and it is my least favorite.

I used to have a retail jewelry outlet. An Impostors Copy Jewels store (what could be worse?) In fact, I was a local dealer for majorca (no comments from any peanut gallery!!!) Buying mass-produced made me appreciate uniqueness in jewelry items for my own colection. Best regards to all.

[Zeide Erskine]

I second that. Give me a baroque with orient anytime and keep the rounds for formal events or sell them to the financially suicidal. I have some lovely bunny rabbit-looking one from Lake Manitou that I wouldn't trade for a strand of 15mm "brand name" Tahitians for the life of me. Not to mention that perfection can be had in shell pearls, I don't need overtreated south seas to attain the same look.

Zeide G. Erskine

[purepearls]

Baroque Tahitian pearls are definitely my favorite! I personally enjoy the allure and uniqueness of each piece and the colors are just magnificent as they reflect off of the pearl.

[raedownie]

i am new here and hope this is right. another place to post ? from a novice?

i have a necklace of baroque black pearls from an estate, est.30-40 yo.
they are huge..some are18mmx10. they are striated and kind of lumpy.one side of most is flat. the color is dark grey with green and purple,all of different color variation unlike painted ones i have seen.

i love them and thought they were cool...listening to y'all makes me skittish!!

[jshepherd]

Do you happen to have a picture of the strand you can post?

[raedownie]

I Am Not Terribly Techie But Have A New Dig Camera. I Will Try To Get Some Nat Light And White Background So You Can At Least See The Shape..enormous.they're Wild!!!

Is There A Rule Of Thumb Related To The Play Of Color In Natural Vs Imitation?
Thanks...you Are All Wonderful.
Rae

[purepearls]

Tahitian Baroques have definitely been a hit with the high-end designer market in the last year. Just take a look at David Yurman's collection. Just in the last few month's, I've seen a large number of high-end jewelers implement Tahitian and South Sea baroques in their "designer" jewelry while doing some research in travel magazines.

[Kevin Canning]

I agree Amanda they are popping up everywhere, i mean Jeremy did the baroque strand for an oscar gift bag last year, so don't be surprised if you see some big name stars photographed with these on.

I also think that baroque Tahitian pearls are set to migrate over to men's fashion soon. With amount of men out there wearing shell and bead necklaces and bracelets, there is no reason why baroques in the same style can't work. Its just a matter of getting men over the stigma that "pearls are for girls" and showing them that the dark Tahitians can be manly.

I'm designing a baroque Tahitian bracelet currently as an experiment, I'll post a picture when its done later this week.