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Hiya, Thanks for the reply! Here's the drilling machine I've got: http://www.bbeads.co.uk/pdm200-simple-style-pearl-drilling-machine-p3810.html I did wonder if I need to insert the drill bit further - it's as far in as it can go on the 'round' bit of the bit; wasn't sure if I could insert it...

Hiya, So, I've been playing around with my new pearl drill today (one of the cheap chinese made ones that drills from one side and 'flips' the pearl 180 degrees in a clamp) and need a bit of advice on technique please! Before I started, I read through every thread on drilling I could find, but...

Thanks pbazar, that gives me a good start. I'm currently doing the GIA course, so working on knowing a bit more about what I plan to buy - I guess it's only experience that will really help in the end though.

Hiya, I've been reading a bit about the Hong Kong shows and was wondering if anyone can answer a few questions for me about attending these? I really am a novice in this field so apologies if the answers to these should be obvious to me! 1) Can I attend if I don't own a business? If not...

Haven't posted on this thread for a while so I thought I'd add a few more photos - bits and bobs I've done in the last few months to keep myself entertained! Photo's aren't great as they were just quick ones my husband did for me and the lighting was a bit rubbish, but they give the general...

Hiya, Just wondered if anyone has purchased from the above? I'm hoping to be purchasing one of their cheap pearl drills for a bit of drilling experimentation and fun, and noticed that they do lots of 50 undrilled pearls which I thought might be good for drilling practice so was wondering if...

Morning all (at least, it is here!). I've got some granulated pearls on order and have an idea for a necklace design that I might try out. The thing is, I'd need to use something that will help the necklace hold it's shape a little for it to look right and am not sure what to use. Previously...

Okay, so, I posted in the 'Lowly Beaders' section when I was after advice on knotting my first necklace and have dabbled with a few more bits and pieces since - thought I'd post what I have so far, before my next lot of pearls arrive! I don't have anything valuable or high quality, but what I...

Thanks Jeremy - I do really like the circled look so it's great to hear they're at the least expensive end of the market (might be the first time ever I've picked something I like that might be in my price range, jewellery-wise!). I shall continue my browsing and tahitian education!

Thanks Caitlin, that's helped me benchmark the qualtiy / value bit, which is what I've been struggling with. I'll go back and study the Pearl Paradise ones again - I do go on there ever now and again but have to limit the time I allow myself to avoid drooling on my keyboard too much (can't...

Thanks for the input. I do keep an eye on Wendy's site, but I'm not sure how to compare the price of complete necklaces such as the ones she offers at the moment with temporary strands like these (although I'm only window shopping at this stage, I'll be looking to knot my own, when I'm ready -...

Thanks for confirming the ? price - I've had a play with e-bay now; it seems that when I view them and then login to add them to my watch list it logs me in to the US site, so I have to log out and then back in to the UK site to see the ? price! Blimey, this technology is beyond me sometimes...

Hiya folks, Okay, so I'm continuing my window shopping on e-bay (and other places) to try and expand my knowledge of pearls and found these: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350349505201&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT Now, I don't really know anything about tahitians as yet so...

Thanks for the feedback folks - I've had a look at All Wired Up on Amazon and it does look good, so I'll add that to my list of things I need to acquire at some point (think I need a couple more pliers of different sorts too). I've got some sterling silver wire on order too, so glad it might be...

Thanks for the feedback on the grading - it's good to get loads of input while I'm learning. I'm still waiting for my other 'proper' pearls to arrive, but I wanted to try out some wire wrapping (with a view to eventually making a tin cup necklace at some point) so picked up some carnelian beads...

Thanks everyone - I agree that they are very small, but I like the colour. Good to know people have had good experiences with the seller. I shall have a look round at their other stuff and see if there's anything else I like, and then make a decision about making an offer.

Hiya, Well, I'm very new to the world of pearls and have just started knotting some freshies to gain some experience. I fancy having a go at a tin cup style necklace and saw these on e-bay - thought they might do for a necklace / bracelet first endeavour, but I have no experience of keshis, so...

Well, I'm here to correct something from my original post! On answering a question for someone, I've gone back to the receipt for these pearls and although the half drilled ones are marked as AA+ on the receipt, the strands seem not to be - they seem to be cheaper strands without a...

Thank you - I look forward to developing a very healthy obsession!

Yep - they were sold as 8 - 9mm and I didn't measure them, since I was only using for practice, but there is quite a bit of variation.