PearlsAmerica.com ? Freshwater or Akoya

[pearlguy]

regarding a comparison between your pearls and those of another vendor. And be very sure of the accuracy of your statement!

I am here to be molded. Thank you. Check my photos in days to come as they will show a bit more accurately what I am selling.

 

[Nerida]

I will.. and glad to know that you want it to be better. If you check my posts, you will see I don't put my fighting gloves on very often.. I really would suggest you go to China and learn about pearls. You will get all the information here on the forum, but to be there where the pearls are grown and processed is where you get to feel, see, and learn to recognize quality and start to feel like you know what you are doing. I wish you well!

 

[Nerida]

Sorry, my gloves are still on here...
Where on your website do you say your pearls are freshwaters? Everything about your site would still indicate they are akoyas, yet you now know this to not be the case...

 

[Ingykiz]

This forum is smokin', keep up the good work all of you pearl detectives. It is always educational and informative here. I have to think that one should be extremely familiar (expert!!) with what they are selling in order to keep it as real and honest as possible.

 

[pearlguy]

Some new photos have been posted on front page of www.pearlsamerica.com. Admitedly the earlier photos were washed out and did look a bit chalky. Still getting used to what the Internet does to photos, particularly when shooting in high contrast lighting situations.

 

[Nerida]

But I am talking about your text... where do you state that your pearls are anything other than akoyas? All of your pearl information relates to akoyas, your email address infers that you only sell akoyas... please forgive me if I am mistaken.

 

[Pearlgully]

Pearlguy, below is an exact quote taken directly from your website:

"If the pearls do not meet our explicitly high GIA standards, we pass rather than use inferior quality."

I'm confused; can you please tell us what these GIA standards are that you refer to?


Gail

 

[MistofCassiopeia]

The listing was wayyyy too wordy. I skip listings like this because I honestly think they have something to hide. Keep it short, sweet and accurate.

 

[pearlescence]

I seem to remember that there is no Trades Descriptions Act in America to protect consumers, such as we have in all European Union countries.
Pity...

 

[pearlguy]

But I am talking about your text... where do you state that your pearls are anything other than akoyas? All of your pearl information relates to akoyas, your email address infers that you only sell akoyas... please forgive me if I am mistaken.

My stated purpose is to offer both even though present stock is freshwater. Akoya are on the way. I understand what you are saying. I will craft something that clearly states our mission of supplying higher quality pearls at good prices without having to change copy every other day.

Thanks again for your input. Afraid there were some cross-conversations last night. Some raised questions about pearl luster and I fear some previously photos did not do justice. My contention is that I have some very nice pearls even if they are freshwater variety.

 

[pearlguy]

Pearlguy, below is an exact quote taken directly from your website:

"If the pearls do not meet our explicitly high GIA standards, we pass rather than use inferior quality."

I'm confused; can you please tell us what these GIA standards are that you refer to?


Gail

This clearly needs editing. Thanks.

 

[pearlguy]

The listing was wayyyy too wordy. I skip listings like this because I honestly think they have something to hide. Keep it short, sweet and accurate.

Interesting point. Purpose was to start a business presence. Established dealers have no problem here but a as a newbie, I feel I have to tell people something, get the information out there. I will have to edit this down. I know all the research and rules of practice on media and internet brevity, but come from the school that says information is important as well. Need to find a happy balance.

Thanks again for the very useful input.

 

[pearlguy]

I seem to remember that there is no Trades Descriptions Act in America to protect consumers, such as we have in all European Union countries.
Pity...

I believe there are specific practices such as use of particular terminology that have come into question. There was the Carter?s Little Liver pills case many years back where advertiser finally was forced to do some corrective advertising after about 12 years or so, but the FTC and Justice are so understaffed and under budgeted that most big corporations with greater resources can ride it out for years. I do know something about communication law, BTW.

Anyway, my purpose is not to deceive as already stated. In essence, my personal character and honesty are a part of my product and why I decided to take some punches and get involved in this constructive forum.

 

[pearlguy]

Originally Posted by pearlescence
I seem to remember that there is no Trades Descriptions Act in America to protect consumers, such as we have in all European Union countries.
Pity...

I believe there are specific practices such as use of particular terminology that have come into question. There was the Carter?s Little Liver pills case many years back where advertiser finally was forced to do some corrective advertising after about 12 years or so, but the FTC and Justice are so understaffed and under budgeted that most big corporations with greater resources can ride it out for years. I do know something about communication law, BTW.

Anyway, my purpose is not to deceive as already stated. In essence, my personal character and honesty are a part of my product and why I decided to take some punches and get involved in this constructive forum.

Checked on this further. The U.S. does have regulations, they are just a bit different than what you have in the EU. Allow me to explain.

In the U.S., law making essentially rests with Congress. Since Congress cannot do all of this themselves, they establish regulatory commissions such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Communication Commission (FCC). After there agencies have been established by law, they have the power to make and enforce a whole series of regulations and licensing matters. When commission acts are challenged in the courts, this is where the agency regulations are either upheld or reversed. If Congress wishes, they always can step in and made a new law that may override whatever the commission has been practicing. Anyway, it seems that the deceptive advertising matters are mostly interpreted and then enforced at the agency level, in this case the FTC. What I said earlier still stands, though. Despite its claims to "vigorously enforce" its rules on advertising and deception, the FTC is basically has a well-meaning and highly talented staff that unfortunately is much too small and grossly under budgeted (when compared to the vast and wealthy U.S. industry it has been charge to regulate).

Hope this helps our European colleagues better understand U.S. law and regulations.

 

[pearlescence]

We have a similar system here - our laws and regulations are enforced by Trading Standards Officers, the Advertising Standards Agency and the like.
You are describing a system of delegated legislation and what looks like judicial review of decisions.

 

[pearlguy]

We have a similar system here - our laws and regulations are enforced by Trading Standards Officers, the Advertising Standards Agency and the like.
You are describing a system of delegated legislation and what looks like judicial review of decisions.

Except in this case, the bureaucrats can create their own rules if they wish, and even have some wide latitude in determining what those rules will involve. A great example was the so-called Fairness Doctrine at the FCC that first created then ended the rules on equal access and right to respond. Congress never said they wanted a Fairness Doctrine. The FCC just created it.

Doesn?t surprise me if you have the same sort of process. We after all, got most of our legal system from you.

 

[jshepherd]

Despite its claims to "vigorously enforce" its rules on advertising and deception, the FTC is basically has a well-meaning and highly talented staff that unfortunately is much too small and grossly under budgeted (when compared to the vast and wealthy U.S. industry it has been charge to regulate).

The FTC would need an entire department to police the rampant fraud on eBay. It is difficult to find any pearl auctions where the product sold is accurately and honestly described. I am not very knowledgeable about other types of jewelry, but I presume it is just as bad. Take what happened with Imperial Jewels (aka Indochinagems) and DDD (Gemological Grading Group), for example.

Fraud is so rampant that it seems impossible to sell quality goods there and get by. Everything is AAAAAA. All colors are natural. All pearls are untreated. Half the freshwater are akoya. Everything is worth $5000 but available for $19. The successful sellers offer something that cannot be faked - large Tahitian strands and exotic pieces.

We know what happens there and make an effort to point it out whenever possible, especially when a seller starts their own .com. This has an effect on all honest sellers. Savvy buyers already known eBay cannot be trusted.

 

[BeadersSecret]

This has been a very interesting thread.

There's been some very good advice given - and I would recommend Pearlguy to undertake some courses such as that from the GIA.

As a Pearl threader - one of the issues we encounter is consumers who have purchased pearls described at sale as being something that they aren't. It can be very challenging to communicate to the customer that what they have - isn't what they think they have.

I have seen many an instance where the customer has vigorously argued with store staff - valuers - Jeweller etc - upon presenting an article for repair or valuation and finding that the description that these people apply doesn't match with their belief.

Primacy in learning is a term that's applied to how we take in facts that we first learn - and its a very powerful imprint - especially when combined with purchases that usually have an emotional context such as Jewellery.

The description given to items at the time of sale - when wrong - can create havoc down the track for those involved in the after sales aspect of the industry.

 

[Nerida]

Good post, Bernadette. I recently restrung pearls for a customer who bought them from an antiques dealer - the stringing had given way, and she was anxious to have her pearls restored to their former value. She had paid over $500 for a princess length strand of chalky, dyed, potato pearls that truly are available as a rope in the cheapest tourist markets around asia for less than $40.

I am glad my customer didn't ask for a more formal appraisal.. sadly though, she had already been given one by the GIA certified original seller. Blatantly fraudulent! I did infer that the pearls were less valuable than she had been led to believe, but really - the responsibility lies with the vendor!

 

[Valeria101]

... sadly though, she had already been given one by the GIA certified original seller.

Don't think there is such accreditation. Only the claim...
GIA diplomas do not imply any further oversight on the holder's business practice; one does not have to be in the jewelry business at all to hold one. I believe that a significant proportion of GIA students are not involved in the industry. No relation.