Which one of these are a better buy?

[Koko]

Hi. I'm looking at purchasing one of these from an online seller. Can you help me select the best one? The seller told me that these are all South Sea pearls and that their colors are natural.

The long strands with pearls ranging from 9-11mm in size are being sold at around $400 each, the champagne strand with pearls ranging from 13-16mm in size at $400 with pearls ranging from 13-16mm in size, the silvery/blueish strand with pearls ranging from 9-11mm in size at $300, and a lot of loose pearls ranging in size from 10-13mm at $200.

Thank you for your expertise. Your help is highly appreciated.

 

[pattye]

Koko, the "best buy" is the strand you fall in love with and will wear often! That said, the pale gold/white strand(s) don't seem to have much luster, so I'd probably cross them off the list, although they might be more attractive in person. Without seeing better photos or viewing the pearls in person, I wouldn't be able to evaluate whether all these pearls are South Sea and are all natural colors. Please do let us know what you decide!

 

[Koko]

Thank you for the reply, pattye.

Were you referring to the strand in the third picture?

I was actually planning on using the pearls as materials for bracelets that I'm going to make. I'm hoping that I could find more nice ones in each lot instead of not so nice ones. Each bracelet will have one pearl with either rutilated quartz, amethyst, lapis lazuli, or rose quartz. Kinda like Jewelmer's Azur bracelet.

I'll be giving some of the bracelets away and the rest of the pearls I'll probably be using for other projects. That's why I'm hoping I'll find nice pearls in each lot.

Based on lustre, which one would you pick?

I was planning on seeing them in person but the Philippines is on lock down now due to Covid-19.

 

[pattye]

Ah, yes, we're "sheltering in place" here in Oregon, about the same as you. Yes, the 3rd strand, but also the strand in the last 3 photos. I do like baroque pearls for myself; they are usually quite a bit less expensive. I hope you'll be able to see the strands in person before too long.

 

[Koko]

I hope everything is going well for you in Oregon. The lock down got me thinking about this project again because I made one before. I just got too busy with work to make more.

I like the baroque ones too. Im just not quite sure if I can incorporate them easily in the bracelet because the other stones are round. I also quite like the pearls in the strand in the first picture. I think they have decent lustre.

I just thought about the champagne-colored strand and the loose pearls because they were quite big and I was hoping there were pearls with great lustre and color in the lot.

Hopefully I'll get to see them in person soon.

 

[CathyKeshi]

My thoughts Koko for what they're worth, given your intended use: I favor the very first strand photo. Pearls look good, not too many outrageous shapes, which I LOVE, but might be hard to mix into bracelets and gems. A good mix of lots of shades and colors, again, to mix with a lot of different stones and gems in your bracelets. Have fun!

 

[Koko]

Thank you for your insight, Cathy. That's what I was thinking too. I may also be able to make a bracelet or a choker entirely made out of pearls for my Mom if I get that strand. I'll try to negotiate a bit more if I get the gray/blue baroque too.

Do you think the price is fair or about right for these?

 

[CathyKeshi]

Koko, I do like Photo 2, the white and silvery blue strand with the shell clasp too; you could always take out the couple of bigger baroques for a special pendant or project to highlight their unusual nature. Or if you meant Photo 4, the bigger, all very baroque more uniform silver blue strand, well, that's a really fun one too; as you said to make a necklace or special bracelet ... but then I'm known around here for liking the unusual pearls. Just my opinion of course. Very hard for me to comment on pricing, I'm not good at that (or as my husband says, I'm TOO good at that lol), but general rule of thumb I've found in any negotiation is a bigger or multiple purchase often gives you a little more bargaining power, unless items are already at rock bottom, like a clearance sale etc. Good Luck and Have Fun!

 

[Koko]

Cathy, I like the all baroque silvery blue strand in the 4th photo as well. Maybe the long strand in the 1st photo and I'll see if I can take the one in the 4th photo at a lower price. I was told that the price for the all baroque silvery blue strand was at $650 before she sold it at a discount. Now she is selling it for $300.

PS I'm trying to learn how to differentiate south sea pearls from freshwater pearls ��