Recent content by BrianWanes

I appreciate all the insight! I'm aware that different types of pearls are cultured in different animals, but chemically speaking the nacre should be nearly identical- alternating layers of crystalline aragonite and chonchiolin. Perhaps it's just down to the way the different mollusks...

Thanks for the reply! And the answer does make sense, but it leads me to another question, specifically regarding lustre in freshwater pearls versus akoya. Does the difference in lustre have something to do with a biological or environmental difference between the two mollusks that make them...

Hello humans! Just looking to see if I can get some insight into the correlation of nacre thickness and lustre quality in cultured pearls. Most of the online resources I've read that explain pearl quality and grading seem to assert that in cultured saltwater pearls, a thicker deposit of nacre...

Haha yes, I'd heard about Harry and his pearls. I like to tell people he stole the look from me!

thanks for legitimizing my obsession, y'all, it's nice to have people who understand! My collection started off with the good ol' single-tahitian-on-leather piece too. At the time I didn't have the cojones (or the money, for that matter) to rock a whole pearl necklace, but once I saw some pics...

After years of dreaming, I've finally got my hands on a whole strand of circled Tahitians, and I'm pretty much over the moon. My friends and family don't really freak out over pearls like I do, so I thought perhaps y'all would more fully share in my jubilation

After years of dreaming, I've finally got my hands on a whole strand of circled Tahitians, and I'm pretty much over the moon. My friends and family don't really freak out over pearls like I do, so I thought perhaps y'all would more fully share in my jubilation

Thanks for weighing in, Pattye. I hadn't thought to wear it on a chain or cord, but I may have to experiment!

So my dear mother recently gave me a ring she's had since high school- she knows that I love pearls, and she hasn't worn the thing literally in decades. It's a little small on my man hands, so I tend to wear it as a midi ring, and of course I would love to hear some opinions about just what kind...

All finished! A couple of days ago, actually, aaaand shame on me for not posting an update. Forgive the less than classy background, if you will. It's amazing to me how much of a change a little bath and a restringing can make- these little guys are GLEAMING now! Thanks to everyone for the...

Beader's secret is definitely on my list. I do feel it's still important for me to gain proficiency in working with silk. I recently had a tentative job offer from some friends at a local jeweler- their resident pearl-stringer will be retiring in a number of months, and there's a chance I'd be...

A lady friend got a little too grabby with my jewels last night, and she went and broke my 100" freshwater rope! I'm well on my way to repairing the damage, and it's definitely a labor of love that needed to happen anyway, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little intimidated by the job 😅...

I'm thinking of buying up a whole bunch of cheap craft store pearls and making a few bracelets to distribute to my various lady friends. Basically anything that will get me lots of practice, but I'm certainly open to ideas and suggestions!