Why is it so hard to find a long necklace of Golden South Sea Keshis?

[MintyFresh]

There is nothing out there except at Gump’s (oh, the premium pricing) and strands of tiny misshapen things. Is there a reason there are not more of such necklaces on the market? Has Gump’s bought them all up? Don’t pinctada maxima produce Keshis in gold any more? Is the Philippines grinding them into fertilizer (kidding)?

 

[Amoreperla]

Hmm that is an interesting question. I do not have an answer but I think most Keshi I’ve seen are freshwater . I rarely see Tahitian as it is.

 

[MintyFresh]

The pearls in the necklace at Gump's are not even that nice . . . the clasp is probably a large part of the price. I'm going to research if there is a particular time of year these are harvested or available. Maybe it is a timing thing. Also, I have my favorite pearl hunter looking for a vintage set, although she has warned me it may take some time!

 

[BWeaves]

I think there's just not much out there in the way of SS keshi. So trying to MATCH a LONG strand of them, is going to be really hard because by their nature, they're not going to match well.

 

[ennui]

Is the Philippines grinding them into fertilizer (kidding)?

I believe that pearls not used for jewelry are ground up into cosmetics.

Perhaps the south sea mollusks are disinclined to produce keshi?

 

[MintyFresh]

I believe that pearls not used for jewelry are ground up into cosmetics.

Perhaps the south sea mollusks are disinclined to produce keshi?

Cosmetics! Seems like such a waste. If Tong cannot locate something in the next few months, maybe I will try to find a petite baroque SSG necklace. In the meanwhile, I'm not sure if she's on here but I just discovered SlyTugofSunshine on the Insta - a fantastically talented artisanal designed/maker, including lots of pearl necklaces. Based on my few interactions with her, I think she is a real pearl expert.

 

[Pearlgully]

I think there's just not much out there in the way of SS keshi. So trying to MATCH a LONG strand of them, is going to be really hard because by their nature, they're not going to match well.

You are correct. There is definitely not much out there! A number of years ago, pearl farmers started x-raying their mollusks to ensure that the pearls being cultured were going to be round. Anything other than round i.e. keshi, baroque, were destroyed; then they'd start over. The reason they were doing this....... (make sure you are sitting down for this) ......... was because, most of the world wants round pearls!

 

[MintyFresh]

You are correct. A number of years ago, pearl farmers started x-raying their mollusks to ensure that the pearls being cultured were going to be round. Anything other than round i.e. keshi, baroque, were destroyed; then they'd start over. The reason they were doing this....... (make sure you are sitting down for this) ......... was because, most of the world wants round pearls!

Ugh. Round pearls are great, but variety is the spice of life. Also, keshis command premium prices nowadays . . . but I guess that there are fewer buyers for them.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I understand that after Xraying, if no bead was visible inside the pearl, they would re-nucleate it. Because round pearls bring more money, and round SSP bring lots more money!
Well...it is a business, after all. Can't blame the farmers.

 

[BWeaves]

And you never know if the keshi is going to be a GOOD keshi. A nice, plump, interesting shape, with good luster. 99% of them are crap.

 

[ennui]

Cosmetics! Seems like such a waste.

I guess it depends on whether you wear makeup; I like a nice, glowy blush or highlighter.

Another thought, PSS (Pearl Shrinkage Syndrome, iirc). Just as most people prefer round, some prefer larger pearls, too.

 

[Pearlgully]

I started collecting golden South Sea keshi pearls more than 20 years ago. it took me more than ten years to put this necklace together. As the saying goes, "I wish I knew then, what I know now".