Pearl Engagement Ring

[amyrose]

Hello ^-^,

My boyfriend is considering getting me a pearl engagement ring from a Hawaiian company called Na Hoku. I had a few questions because i'm a noob when it comes to pearls:

1. Are pearls really delicate? If so, it would be an engagement ring so I wouldn't take it off much, would I have to be really careful with it? (i'm also extremely clumsy)
Are there activities or things I should avoid?

2. Has anyone heard of and had experience with Na Hoku? If so, could you share your opinions of your experiences?

3. If you've ordered pieces from them before was the quality really good?

4. How do I care for the pearl and the metal? I know that you can't put pearls in jewelry cleaner so...?

5. What type of pearls are the best quality? I've read that fresh water and tahitian are the lowest, and I don't know whether SS or akoya is better (if i'm horribly mistaken please let me know).

That's all I have for now. If I think of anymore questions I can just ask I suppose haha.
Oh yeah, Na Hoku has a website if you want to look at it. Just google it or whatever search engine you use and you will find it.

 

[Caitlin]

Far an engagement ring about any kind of cultured pearl will be fine, except possibly akoya. The highest quality freshwater with top luster can take a beating and the surface won't wear off with the wear an engagement ring gets. The highest quality freshwaters are as lustrous and beautiful as any other pearl and are 100% nacre. The only thing better would be a natural pearl.

A natural wild pearl is probably the best choice for an engagement ring worn daily. They can cost in the same range as diamonds, but they will wear forever without wearing out.

A Tahitian or South Sea pearl both have thick nacre that will wear well. The size of a S Sea pearl should be the smallest available- maybe no more than 10mm because it will get banged more than a smaller pearl. 9-10mm is still pretty big.

It is possible that with a Tahitian or a South Sea you may have to replace the pearl someday- which will give you a chance to upgrade or change the color, etc. Or maybe not. They may not wear out in a lifetime, but I would plan to change it some day.

Tahitians are great pearls. It all depends on the color you want- they don't come in white. But some of the Tahitian colors are unbelievable, blacks with multiple overtones. Green with maroon overtones. Blues and other hard to name colors which shift in the light.

That store is famous, but will not be a great bargain for pearls--but neither will any other Hawaiian pearl dealers.

We have a section for the care and cleaning of pearls- a whole forum...

 

[Sea Urchin]

I looked through that Na Hoku site, and I think they have some neat stuff but I don't think they are the place to buy a special pearl. I didn't see any choices or specifics at all, just "Tahitian pearl ring," for example:

http://www.nahoku.com/jewelry-type/...ce-ring-with-tahitian-pearl-and-diamonds.html


That sounds like the same quality you'd expect if you bought a diamond engagement ring that was only described as a "diamond" ring, with no mention at all of the 4 C's. Quality of what constitutes a "Tahitian" pearl varies widely and good pearl sellers list: What the overall grade is (AAA, AA, or whatever), overtones (peacock, copper, pastel, etc.), amount of surface blemishing, degree of roundness, quality of luster, if the pearl is artificially treated or not, etc. When no specifics are even mentioned, I don't think that's a good sign. Plenty of "Tahitian" pearls are weirdly shaped, dull black things full of pits. Just "Tahitian" might be an okay description for a $50 ring but, in my opinion, not okay at all for a $1,400 ring. Also, it states that they do not accept returns on any item that has been sized. So unless you happen to wear a ring size 7, you'd be stuck with it:

http://www.nahoku.com/refund-policy

I am no expert, but hope this helps anyway.

 

[wild onion]

Hi amyrose -
I own one freshwater/14k ring from Na Hoku. It is a simple design, and they resized it without charge (I'm not sure if that's customary). I think their stuff is generally high quality, but, as others have stated, is quite expensive. Something else to consider is that pearls are not their specialty. Are you in Honolulu? If so, you might look at Maui Divers (http://www.mauidivers.com/island-pearls?s=MToxMjowOjoxNTo6Og==). If you can go to the design center (Liona St.), they have bins and bins of colorful Tahitians, as well as plenty of South Sea, akoya and freshwater pearls. I am very happy with the color and near flawlessness of the pearls I've bought from them. If you end up ordering online (from any of the vendors mentioned on this forum, for example), don't be afraid to ask for what you want, even if it's not listed on the website. I think most companies will work with you to customize something as special as an engagement ring. Hope you and your boyfriend find something you love!

 

[waimeamomi]

Na Hoku has some interesting settings, but I think their pearls are over priced and you have to be the one to choose. Maui Divers, the same. Maybe if you can pick them out it's one thing, but my experience with several Maui Diver stores in different locales isn't that impressive. If you see a setting you like you could inquire and perhaps look for a pearl else where. It's a tricky thing. Honestly, if I were going to get a pearl ring, I'd get it from this Etsy seller. I think her designs are amazing, and her pearl settings feature the pearl, and protect it at the same time.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/NodeformWeddings