Ban Island and Kasumis

[MintyFresh]

I am officially banished to Ban Island! However, I have pearl strands - already purchased - to string while there. Do you guys think the Kasumis at Ayla’s Originals are authentic? I understand that the proprietors, Ayla and Tom Pizzo, are pretty reputable and used to be more active but are mostly retired. Yes, they are the culprits . . . or at least, the proximate culprits.

 

[MintyFresh]

Center Drilled Kasumi Pearls from the Far East in Champagne, Blush, Ivory and Mauve Natural Baroque Shape

These particular pearls are from the Far East, although originating from Japan. Kasumi pearls are freshwater pearls and found in shades of white, cream, orange, peach with various shades of pink, and even sometimes a golden-green. They are a wonderfully natural baroque shape and are available in...

aylasoriginals.com

 

[KarinK]

As far as I know, only Sarah from Kojima sells authentic Kasumi pearls but I may be wrong.

 

[MintyFresh]

According to Google AI, the seller description indicates they are Chinese ripple pearls. The seller description says "the pearls are from the Far East, although originating from Japan." Apparently, that is "standard industry shorthand" for Chinese ripples. As a lawyer, I was wondering about that odd construction. "Far east"? Why not just name Japan (or, in this case, China)? I should have listened to my instincts. Lesson learned. Also, they were a remarkably good price for a strand of true Kasumis. The adage "too good to be true" applies. They may be going back to the seller if they are not good quality ripples - some of which, I know, can be quite lovely.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Disineguous description, which I read as Chinese Kasumi-like freshwater pearls.

 

[ennui]

As far as I know, only Sarah from Kojima sells authentic Kasumi pearls but I may be wrong.

There are vendors who claim to have "old stock." I see this a lot with turquoise mines that have closed -- seller claims to know some old miner with a bucket in his garage, etc.

 

[MintyFresh]

There are vendors who claim to have "old stock." I see this a lot with turquoise mines that have closed -- seller claims to know some old miner with a bucket in his garage, etc.

It is impossible to find good Bisbee. Let alone Kingman turquoise. Only the old stuff already set and then you must pay to reset!

 

[MintyFresh]

The Chinese ripples - aka supposed Kasumis - came in this afternoon. In case anyone is interested, here’s photos for comparison. The new ones are the bigger sized strand. The smaller strand are Chinese ripples from Kojima. The pendant is made up of real Kasumi pearls (am rethinking the chain from spinel to something more casual). I think I’ll keep the new ones.

 

[ennui]

Your new pearls are nice! Do you have plans for them?
I like the spinel. There's a German pearl designer named Gellner who works with pearls and colored diamonds, mostly cognac and black.

 

[jshepherd]

The company Belpearl in Canada trademarked the name Kasumiga. Unfortunately that doesn't mean that pearls sold as Kasumiga are real Japan Kasumi. There is only one farmer left on Lake Kasumi ga Ura, and his harvest in a small bag - just a few kilos - every year. They are all sold through Fuji Voll, who works with Sarah @ Kojima.

It's really unfortunate. They are the rarest freshwater pearls in the world. There are (literally) tons of the Chinese versions produced every year.

 

[MintyFresh]

Your new pearls are nice! Do you have plans for them?
I like the spinel. There's a German pearl designer named Gellner who works with pearls and colored diamonds, mostly cognac and black.

Wow! The Gellner pearl and spinel pieces are very beautiful. Especially the brown spinel with the coppery Tahitians! I also like the Soul Mates pictorial on the website - very Pina Bausch-esque. But I think a necklace made entirely of spinel - with rose gold beads, no less - is just too sparkly for me (though my bling-loving sister thinks I should leave it as is to wear for fall). I got carried away putting that together! I’ve got plans to take the spinel necklace apart and re-work it with some pearls (rosebuds) and garnets.

No plans for my faux Kasumis yet. But maybe I will make 2 into earrings with some Miriam Haskell beads. Thinking . . .

 

[MintyFresh]

The company Belpearl in Canada trademarked the name Kasumiga. Unfortunately that doesn't mean that pearls sold as Kasumiga are real Japan Kasumi. There is only one farmer left on Lake Kasumi ga Ura, and his harvest in a small bag - just a few kilos - every year. They are all sold through Fuji Voll, who works with Sarah @ Kojima.

It's really unfortunate. They are the rarest freshwater pearls in the world. There are (literally) tons of the Chinese versions produced every year.

Thanks for that info, jshepherd! One small bag a year . . . no wonder they are so expensive. That last farmer must work out of love. So, I’ll treasure the three that I have (purchased from the Pacific Pearls website). Also, my wire work on that pendant is pretty sad. I think the real Kasumis deserve another attempt or two or three to get it “just so” given the information provided.

 

[jshepherd]

Scroll to the bottom of this page and there is a video with the pearl farmer - Yoneguchi-san.

Kasumi ga Ura vs Kasumiga

The Pearl Association of American - Pearls As One Course

www.pearlsasone.org