Recent content by jeg

Thanks for all your answers, everyone! I like hearing about your wish lists:giggle: I’m attaching a little map that was handed out at the Japan Pearl Fair. It’s a map of pearl shops in Kobe, if anyone might be heading to Kobe…

Thanks so much, eolian! How great to see you, and what a find- those keshi are wonderful! Thank you, Pearlgully, and yep, you’re so lucky you got them when you did!! Little h earrings with a Tahitian tin cup I put together. There is one Fijian pearl on the chain.

Thanks BWeaves! Love your circle T’s, too. Nice and colorful! Wow, Pearlgully, those keshi are quite substantial, and at 20 year old prices they would be such a steal now. Beautiful! I purchased two temp strands of top quality golden Akoya keshi at the House of Keshi/Pearl Exporting Co. I...

Thanks so much, Pella! It’s something different for sure. I haven’t tried twisting it yet- maybe that will be the next look… Mary-Contrary, all your thrift finds are very fun. It’s so great to find pearls to use for remakes. BWeaves, I love those strands! SS keshi necklace from Takahashi...

Pretty pieces, BWeaves! Teeny keshi with sapphire briolettes from House of Keshi/Pearl Exporting Co., worn long and doubled. And a purple Japan Kasumi pearl from Kojima held in a net pendant from Takahashi. I wire wrapped the chain with teeny Akoya keshi from Takahashi.

I’m so glad you posted those pics, Newberry. They are two of my favorite pieces in your collection!:giggle:

It’s going to take me a while to catch up here! But, just from this page… BWeaves, that CAT!!! Sure looks good in pearls, and your woven shawls are wonderful. Pearl Dreams, nice examples of your FW strand in multiple settings. Looks so beautiful in every light. Mary-Contrary, what a fun...

Thank you for responding to the questions everyone. Please keep your answers coming! A few souvenirs to share- We were able to harvest our own pearls when visiting the Sasebo Pearl Company farm. This is my pretty pearl. The shell got a little chippy in my luggage, but what a special treat! I...

This trip had me thinking about my own experiences with Akoya pearls. My opinion is that white pearls tend to be the gateway into the pearl world. Usually in the form of a strand or a pair of studs or maybe a pendant. What would bring them back for more pearls? At this point, I’ve amassed a...

What a privilege this was to be immersed in the culture of Akoya Pearls. From holding the baby spat, to viewing oysters at various stages of growth and nurturing at the farms, to harvesting our own pearl, to the processing and sorting of the pearls, and to the sales of the pearls. What an...

Who knew Jen is obsessed with “The Claw.” We passed an arcade on our way back from dinner but the claws were super loose so no prizes made it to the chute.

Day 3 of the Japan Pearl Fair. There are two more seminars on the 3rd day. The first is given by Waka Yamamoto, on assessing the quality of pearls. Using a pic that Hisano shared of some of our group deep into evaluating pearls. The second seminar was a panel discussion with members of...

This morning I will be off to the airport in Osaka for my flight home. I will post about Day 3 of the Japan Pearl Fair and final thoughts when I return home as it’s been a little challenging to upload the photos. To be continued…

Thank you, BWeaves! The weather has been very pleasant. In the Fukuoka area it was sunny and hit high 60’s- 70 as a daytime high. It’s getting cooler now and in Kobe we are in the low to mid 60’s.

Day 9, and Day 2 of the Japan Pearl Fair. We met with Yuko Yamashita in the morning. Yuko is a Professor at Hitotsubashi University and with the JPEA is focused on the marketing aspects of Akoya pearls. She conducted interviews with our group about the allure of Akoya pearls, the concerns and...