I genuinely thank you. I have received the code for the class registration.
How much color difference is acceptable?
- Thread starter Nihal
- Start date
That is a great idea which may incorporate another level to online pearl shopping. If a considerable number of pearl pictures comparing customer’s pics vs sellers, a pearl color-metrics database may be generated and that DB can be updated in real-time under control to prevent falsifying pictures aiming to defame seller(s). I will check that site and enjoy Tahitian pearls.
Exactly, I shopped from that seller and paid $130 for a pair but not a pair in real - rest is totally a mess!
That pearl is gorgeous and off course I don’t expect 5A if any at Etsy. If I focus only educational part of your response, it is very helpful. I do thank you for that.
Please no offense, however, I fell like being joked by your explanation. I’d like underline again: I did not raise my expectations out of nowhere. Online products are shopped for what is shown and described.
I wonder why we don’t weigh the provided info/pics/videos on the seller’s product page in terms of the customer complaints. I am questioning why colors in real are too different than the seller’s picture; by providing seller’s and my shots I seek advice how much difference can be accepted.
Additionally, I became aware of fake sellers who steals pics from real one on this platform. I am grateful to learn how to be curious on EBay. I listened Patye’s recommendations and recently shoppe two strands from online vendor PEARLESCENT in UK. AMAZING PEARLS. Colors are in the range of what is shown - mixed pastel candy colors from light pink to light purple with good metallic luster. Of course not exactly same, mine has more pink pearls and less purple ranges than the seller’s pic. It is the number of pink & purple pearls, not the color comparison. No big surprises or missing metallic luster.
Thank you
That is very well explained and see your point. Unfortunately there are no pearl supplier shop for jewelry making in North Carolina, USA. I have not heard of any gem fair and I will search. I saw the up-coming PEARL FAIR in California. I’d vacation at the pearl fair rather than in HAWAII if I could. That much I love pearls. If the PG platform allows, can you please recommend online shops that you and others have trust , so where I can search for rich purple, or any metallic color, or cherry-like color pearls?
Then I will not have the doubt of being deceived in any way - authenticity, color difference. Because I will know that those sellers are approved by experts here and they do the best with pics and descriptions.
I already learnt shops on this platform recommended by Pattye and Cortez:
a) Pearlescent: shopped right after reading the threads - excellent experience, only shipping took about 3 weeks. I am 100% ok with shipping period; not a seller, just pearl-lover.
In fact, I have never stringed pearls. I am encouraged by threads of newbies who did 1st time here with your helps and tutorials.
Unfortunately, I could not find a pearl in rich purple color. I could not trust in my visual evaluation of Tahitians by pictures. First, only one pic is shown for almost all I checked. That one pic does not expand fully, only part of it gets bigger with very low resolution. I shopped 2 strands, two pairs of tiny pearls and lavender pearl studs at PEARLESCENT upon recommendation of the company here and extremely pleased with products in comparison to the brand’s product pics and description. Please advise me on dark colored pearls on PEARLESCENT with no worry.
Besides, I can readily distinguish high quality objects which intrinsically display glow, high luster, brightness, delicacy although just yet I cannot discriminate the high quality fake pearls. You all were more than 100% right to recommend Pearlescent for people like me inexperienced in both online pearl shopping and authenticity & color evaluation.
I attached my own photo shots of one strand from PEARLESCENT - used my iPhone camera. Blueish Purple pearl at the top of the crystal is not from Pearlescent. Pictures are not enhancement such as manipulation of ‘saturation’, ‘contrast’, ‘tint’…etc., except cropping and adjusting alignment. All are taken without a light source directed on.
b) Pearl Paradise: their loose pearl inventory is very limited, that I can count number of products at once. However, they are distinct in presentation:
- 1st is a picture of the pearl, and
- 2nd is a video: the way video is shot allows shoppers to have a better judgement of overall pearl quality (where I am NO expert for assessment). I love that videos show color reflection with movement on different backgrounds. One product - one video, but after watching videos of similar products, I believe I will gain a comparative knowledge of color properties of a particular pearl sold by PP.
c) Augustus Collection: if I remember correctly, Pattye finally gave in with warning of phony seller and recommended that seller to someone who was insisting to shop South Sea pearls on eBay. Although I was not planning to own a Golden South Sea pearl, I ordered 2 of them and plus one white pearl for two reasons;
* I only saw golden pearls twice at retailer stores (Macy’s and Belk). Then, I was ignorant of pearl types: my nomenclature consisted of ‘PEARLS’ & ‘Tahitian Pearls’. So, I don’t know if those were real SOUTH SEA PEARLS. I want to see their beauty in reality especially for the GOLD COLOR.
With white pearl, I wish to experience how SOUTH SEA pearls in general differ from other pearls not sourced in south sea areas.
PS: now, I see myself ironically stupid as I loved shiny objects and pearls as the queens of them possibly since birth
. In fact, I wore my moms gold jewelry and always my gold bracelets gifted by my grandma even I lost them very consistently.** simply they are beautiful … Just wanted to have one big Golden Pearl
I have not received them yet. I will let you know and share pics for reference. View attachment 473180
Last edited:
I have been eyeing PP Lavender-icy pink (L-IP) pearl bracelets, actually before I joined PG. Yet, here I learnt that PP is not just seller, they can help in finding specified requests AND pwners are also one of the PG FOUNDERS. Eyes shot, I will order PP L-IP pearl bracelet. Honestly, PP L-IP bracelets are considerably affordable based on my in-store pearls shoppings - mostly mall-based individual retailers: per pearl education now I know theirs is never going to match the lowest quality offered by PP which I am sure not below AA grading. Just holding back for now to reach out to Jeremy for metallic pearls - pics were on PG; purposely not sharing the member name in case of misjudgments that I am promoting the member. Thank you all for welcoming me into your community.
I love the reflection of pearls within the crystal. I may look at them as in pics rather than wearing. HUNDREDS OF CRYSTAL PEARL BUBBLES …c) Augustus Collection: if I remember correctly, Pattye finally gave in with warning of phony seller and recommended that seller to someone who was insisting to shop South Sea pearls on eBay. Although I was not planning to own a Golden South Sea pearl, I ordered 2 of them and plus one white pearl for two reasons;
* I only saw golden pearls twice at retailer stores (Macy’s and Belk). Then, I was ignorant of pearl types: my nomenclature consisted of ‘PEARLS’ & ‘Tahitian Pearls’. So, I don’t know if those were real SOUTH SEA PEARLS. I want to see their beauty in reality especially for the GOLD COLOR.
With white pearl, I wish to experience how SOUTH SEA pearls in general differ from other pearls not sourced in south sea areas.
PS: now, I see myself ironically stupid as I loved shiny objects and pearls as the queens of them possibly since birth
** simply they are beautiful … Just wanted to have one big Golden Pearl
I have not received them yet. I will let you know and share pics for reference. View attachment 473180
Last edited:
Thank you. I feel better now with explanations and supporting me for what I see vs what I received. I reach out to you.
Just deleted previous pics around the Cristal holder. I attached wrong vendor’s pearl pics. Here is the correct pearls from PEARLESCENCE:That is very well explained and see your point. Unfortunately there are no pearl supplier shop for jewelry making in North Carolina, USA. I have not heard of any gem fair and I will search. I saw the up-coming PEARL FAIR in California. I’d vacation at the pearl fair rather than in HAWAII if I could. That much I love pearls. If the PG platform allows, can you please recommend online shops that you and others have trust , so where I can search for rich purple, or any metallic color, or cherry-like color pearls?
Then I will not have the doubt of being deceived in any way - authenticity, color difference. Because I will know that those sellers are approved by experts here and they do the best with pics and descriptions.
I already learnt shops on this platform recommended by Pattye and Cortez:
a) Pearlescent: shopped right after reading the threads - excellent experience, only shipping took about 3 weeks. I am 100% ok with shipping period; not a seller, just pearl-lover.
In fact, I have never stringed pearls. I am encouraged by threads of newbies who did 1st time here with your helps and tutorials.
Unfortunately, I could not find a pearl in rich purple color. I could not trust in my visual evaluation of Tahitians by pictures. First, only one pic is shown for almost all I checked. That one pic does not expand fully, only part of it gets bigger with very low resolution. I shopped 2 strands, two pairs of tiny pearls and lavender pearl studs at PEARLESCENT upon recommendation of the company here and extremely pleased with products in comparison to the brand’s product pics and description. Please advise me on dark colored pearls on PEARLESCENCE with no worry.
Besides, I can readily distinguish high quality objects which intrinsically display glow, high luster, brightness, delicacy although just yet I cannot discriminate the high quality fake pearls. You all were more than 100% right to recommend Pearlescent for people like me inexperienced in both online pearl shopping and authenticity & color evaluation.
I attached my own photo shots of one strand from PEARLESCENCE - used my iPhone camera. Blueish Purple pearl at the top of the crystal is not from Pearlescent. Pictures are not enhancement such as manipulation of ‘saturation’, ‘contrast’, ‘tint’…etc., except cropping and adjusting alignment. All are taken without a light source directed on.
b) Pearl Paradise: their loose pearl inventory is very limited, that I can count number of products at once. However, they are distinct in presentation:
- 1st is a picture of the pearl, and
- 2nd is a video: the way video is shot allows shoppers to have a better judgement of overall pearl quality (where I am NO expert for assessment). I love that videos show color reflection with movement on different backgrounds. One product - one video, but after watching videos of similar products, I believe I will gain a comparative knowledge of color properties of a particular pearl sold by PP.
c) Augustus Collection: if I remember correctly, Pattye finally gave in with warning of phony seller and recommended that seller to someone who was insisting to shop South Sea pearls on eBay. Although I was not planning to own a Golden South Sea pearl, I ordered 2 of them and plus one white pearl for two reasons;
* I only saw golden pearls twice at retailer stores (Macy’s and Belk). Then, I was ignorant of pearl types: my nomenclature consisted of ‘PEARLS’ & ‘Tahitian Pearls’. So, I don’t know if those were real SOUTH SEA PEARLS. I want to see their beauty in reality especially for the GOLD COLOR.
With white pearl, I wish to experience how SOUTH SEA pearls in general differ from other pearls not sourced in south sea areas.
PS: now, I see myself ironically stupid as I loved shiny objects and pearls as the queens of them possibly since birth
** simply they are beautiful … Just wanted to have one big Golden Pearl
I have not received them yet. I will let you know and share pics for reference. View attachment 473180
- First strand: Pink to lavender, 6.8-7.8 mm, round pearls with varying shades
One picture is placed next to the measure showing the related diameters.
- Natural color pearls: 6-6.5 mm and 7.5-8 mm half drilled round pearl pairs (2 different sizes)
Despite my love of big pearls, I am in love with those. I can readily guarantee that those have metallic tones and great luster. Please correct me for my evaluation. I learn the best from my mistakes!
- Second strand: Pink large drill 7-7.5 mm elliptical pearls
Also bought dark lavender round stud earring. But I could not picture them - for my 17 years old daughter who has them.
Another weirdness of me: I realized that I also had ordered beading needle. Just became aware 1 week after the delivery. Most likely they ended up in trash with the packaging material
* Pearls in the 1st, 2nd & 3rd pictures depict almost the real colors indoors. See the lively light silvery overtones of the pink pearls.
** 4th pic is next to the measure & pearls are aligned next to 8, 6.5 and 6 mm diameters. They are darker due my overshadows - no manipulation of the filters.
*** 5th through 12th: moving around the room, different angles and in the 12th pic marked pearls in fuchsia is exact colors of pinks with daylight.
**** next two pics: two small pairs; their colors in real match to the pics. I call them pastel metallic colors with high luster. Please correct me for my analysis.
The focused luster circle on top of the pearls are obvious in reality too.
Last: elliptical pearls strand - those are more on the lavender shade of pinks. I love them too.
What do you think about them?
Attachments
Last edited:
I would still feel sad this time for you.
I am thrilled to hear your comments and thoughts. When something is beautiful, I want to picture them in a concept which should emphasize their beauty - it is a due-respect for the birth of the Beauty. And then share with close friends. Sincere appreciation ignites motivation as well as constructive criticism leads to the solid success. Even I may end up in Japan for pearls. Thank you.
Last edited:
Nihal... Absolutely veteran jewelry "window shopper".... most high end jewelry stores have Pearls...including Tiffany's. Whenever I was in a big city...I would drag my husband into the most expensive jewelry stores to "just look". I have learned a lot by looking! One of the best places to look at jewelry is Las Vegas...I went to every high end jewelry store there & often new jewelry was premiered there...for high rollers. Also, there are Gem shows in every state that I have ever lived in (that's a lot & mostly the South) and there usually are pearls. But, I have only seen 1 show with high end pearls.... mostly there are nice, older, mid quality pearls. The bigger the city, the better higher quality of gems.. In the South, often the gems show was across the way from the gun or knife show and on the same weekend.... that always made laugh!
You are very much like me when I was growing up. I am born in Turkey and a Turkish. I dragged my mom to the jeweler’s window as you did to your husband. As soon as I walked, I guess I was in search of gems, gold, silver and pearls. I could not of course afford them myself
. So I started to wear my mom’s jewelries if allowed. My grandma, be peace on her in the afterlife, never gave up gifting gold jewelry though I used to loose them. If I could not afford until I had a job, I had my closest options:In the village, went into rivers, walked in water knee below and collected the most shiny stones! High speed of water flow works like a diamond shine on stable objects after a while. I discovered the physical kinetics due to the love of gems and pearls
I have bought several pieces from ETSY sellers. What I have found is that yes, the pearl that I fell in love with does NOT look the same as on the seller's photos BECAUSE yes, they use the bRIghTesT photo lighting possible. That being said, I have learned to look for photos taken under different lighting conditions than the "light box". The pearls I bought are still lovely, but I won't buy one if they only allow photos in the brightest light with white backdrop. Purple ones are the trickiest. The nicest set I have ever seen is one that Berna has from Pearl Paradise.
Just read your message. I totally agree. My disappointments are always with purple, rich colored pearls. I bought a few loose Tahitian pearls from the same seller on Etsy and they are amazing but the purple pair are not even half-way close to the shown pictures from the same seller. Like yours, pearls are lovely but not amazingly beautiful purple color. This seller is not questioned seller with whom I shared my terrible experience here. That is the pearls from LucasPearl on Etsy.
I learnt a lot here. Now, my eyes are a bit trained in guessing what the pictured purplish pearls will look in real. Still, not good at lilac or lavender color. Because of the color nature, they may shine silver pink at one angle while peach or bronze mauve at another angle. So, I look into old conversations here to gain better understanding.
Hi, if you are able to change the phone screen settings, what helps me is what sellers use to achieve unrealistic saturated colors. I have a 7-8” long light specifically with bright white light. It has magnet inbuilt, is easily switched from hand-held to wall-attach. I bought it 1,5 years ago not for pearls, for silk and gold embroidery. That small lamp makes a great difference.
1) strong white and small size movable lamp
2) I prefer to picture indoor; outdoor shots results in either too darker with dull luster, or too light vivid colors - both are no close to the reality.
3) Personal experience based suggestion: you are indoors; take the bright day light behind you when facing the pearls. So, pearls will not be directly facing the day light. If you think that more light will allow you to see better, NO! the simple answer to why:
Pearls have a very bright surface, luster. Two shiny objects held next to, or aligned back-to-back each other, the most bright one will dominate the other, causing a black spot - that is our pearl & dominant is the sun behind.
Same principle when picturing two highly metallic pearls next to each other. The pics are usually blurry, or hazy, and/or pearls lacks the definition (borders around the shape). Definition also delineate the various overtones. Loss of that sharp definition yields blended-diffuse color, so it is hard to judge if a pearl has metallic color (aurora) even in real it is extremely metallic and high quality.
Science physics explains: sun rays hit the surface of pearls, the light will be fractured - meaning each sun ray propagates and hit the surface at different angles depending on the object’s shape and the ray’s original start position (size of sun bears millions of different angles.). Then, the ray will be refactored and sendback at a different angle due to the thick nacre. Reflected light is added up to the luster leading to stronger shine for non-proportionally small pearl, so blinding effect: darker, and/or indistinguishable color shade.
No absorption of the light= No retained light
darker color. Pearls with too thin nacre and/or low luster don’t experience the blinding effect because combined low luster and sun rays won’t be strong to cause.
Now the opposite:
Rays hit the water, transparent nature of water allows the light move in at a different angle than when it hit the water surface - called Fracture. Then, Ray travels inside the water until hits an impenetrable object, like sand, rocks. Then it will be re-fracture and send back until reaches the water surface and exit the water at different angle. That end point ray now is the intrinsic energy coming out of the water - belong to water - turns into energy and light. This final is the wavy shine of the ocean, so it borrows sun’s brightness. At the same time water absorbs light with each fracture and re-fracture (because all happens within itself) and that source is transformed as heat. Explained the warm summer sea water. Those events do not occur with pearls as not absorbed.
Objects with no intrinsic luster, or porous nature to allow rays to pass through will never have shine, nor luster. THAT IS WHY WE WEAR PEARLS & WEAR HIGHLIGHTER MAKEUP OVER THE THE EDGES OF THE CHECKBONES, EYEBROW ARCHES…
4) move the light around until you find a spot that does not have shadow, darker light points and pearl color does not extremely seems different through the phone camera. That is my start point.
*** also try using black or white cardboard at different angles - cause the light to be reflected more to adjust the darkness of pearl if pics are darker than the reality. Black and white said because each pearl is different in color spectrum, surface smoothness is number one for the color difference between the reality and the pics.
Now start - you will at least spend 30-45 min to find the right location if not need to change room, angle, background color. Once you can picture close to the real color, you will play with picture settings and picturing with different settings. Believe me that effort is worth it. Because, you will definitely be able to tell if your pearl’s color was purposely manipulated with light and edited with picture settings at high levels with setting options, especially
1) Brightness
2) Color Saturation - very well known effect for darker saturated colors, you know what I am talking about, TAHITIAN PEACOCK COLOR PEARLS AND GREEN OVERTONES - enhancement of the colors to darker shades to mimic high quality color. Additionally, the artificial darkness will hide unevenly distributed patches of color.
Please do not mix the last part with rainbow color pearls and high iridescent pearls. Their colors will be harmoniously moving from one tone to another through difusion. Let me explain that in normal life: we are driving from the pearl exhibition in California back home, NC. Roads are smooth like an ice ring. You won’t realize that road is actually built like a snake constantly changing direction. No disruption while natures color changing throughout the drive in California. Finally, when reached to the NC border, low developed mostly. We start bumping this and that, jumping up the seat, and can’t clearly understand the song playing. It is still the road made of similar/same material BUT badly engineered: cracks on the surface at some point, uneven road due to not totally covered munch/tiny construction stones with the last layer and the roar of the road due to those. That part is the patchy uneven colors on pearl.
3) Color warmth - mainly caused silvery metallic overtone, example is Silver-Blue Akoyas when they are med/level luster and with very little blue hues
4) Vividness - that results specifically in metallic look, with highly saturated purple color like fuchsia, magenta, aubergine, cherry color as well as extreme lighter.
5) Definition
6) Sharpness
Both 5 and 6 are explained above as shape and color delineation.
if ONLY playing with those setting, light and environment yield the seller’s pictures, the you can judge by yourself, no comment by me here.
To long I wrote. I hope this won’t be another reason for more confusion.
Here attached the pic of the light I use: it has 3 different light brightness. Best is it is chargeable with a simple cable comes with it, no expense over batteries and less toxicity
Attachments
Last edited:
CortezPearls
PG Forum Admin
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2005
- Messages
- 4,099
Great explanationHi, if you are able to change the phone screen settings, what helps me is what sellers use to achieve unrealistic saturated colors. I have a 7-8” long light specifically with bright white light. It has magnet inbuilt, is easily switched from hand-held to wall-attach. I bought it 1,5 years ago not for pearls, for silk and gold embroidery. That small lamp makes a great difference.
1) strong white and small size movable lamp
2) I prefer to picture indoor; outdoor shots results in either too darker with dull luster, or too light vivid colors - both are no close to the reality.
3) Personal experience based suggestion: you are indoors; take the bright day light behind you when facing the pearls. So, pearls will not be directly facing the day light. If you think that more light will allow you to see better, NO! the simple answer to why:
Pearls have a very bright surface, luster. Two shiny objects held next to, or aligned back-to-back each other, the most bright one will dominate the other, causing a black spot - that is our pearl & dominant is the sun behind.
Same principle when picturing two highly metallic pearls next to each other. The pics are usually blurry, or hazy, and/or pearls lacks the definition (borders around the shape). Definition also delineate the various overtones. Loss of that sharp definition yields blended-diffuse color, so it is hard to judge if a pearl has metallic color (aurora) even in real it is extremely metallic and high quality.
Science physics explains: sun rays hit the surface of pearls, the light will be fractured - meaning each sun ray propagates and hit the surface at different angles depending on the object’s shape and the ray’s original start position (size of sun bears millions of different angles.). Then, the ray will be refactored and send back at a different angle due to the thick nacre. End results is like sun, more shining pearl and energy is too strong combined with the pearl luster. No absorption of the light, and light is also an energy. No retained light result is darker color. If the pearl is very low quality in luster, the color won’t change, or will be a bit lighter color if the nacre is too thin
Now the opposite:
Rays hit the water, transparent nature of water allows the light move in at a different angle than when it hit the water surface - called Fracture. Then, Ray travels inside the water until hits an impenetrable object, like sand, rocks. Then it will be re-fracture and send back until reaches the water surface and exit the water at different angle. That end point ray now is the intrinsic energy coming out of the water - belong to water - turns into energy and light. This final is the wavy shine of the ocean, so it borrows sun’s brightness. At the same time water absorbs light with each fracture and re-fracture (because all happens within itself) and that source is transformed as heat. Explained the warm summer sea water. Those events do not occur with pearls as not absorbed.
Objects with no intrinsic luster, or porous nature to allow rays to pass through will never have shine, nor luster. THAT IS WHY WE WEAR PEARLS & WEAR HIGHLIGHTER MAKEUP OVER THE THE EDGES OF THE CHECKBONES, EYEBROW ARCHES…
4) move the light around until you find a spot that does not have shadow, darker light points and pearl color does not extremely seems different through the phone camera. That is my start point.
*** also try using black or white cardboard at different angles - cause the light to be reflected more to adjust the darkness of pearl if pics are darker than the reality. Black and white said because each pearl is different in color spectrum, surface smoothness is number one for the color difference between the reality and the pics.
Now start - you will at least spend 30-45 min to find the right location if not need to change room, angle, background color. Once you can picture close to the real color, you will play with picture settings and picturing with different settings. Believe me that effort is worth it. Because, you will definitely be able to tell if your pearl’s color was purposely manipulated with light and edited with picture settings at high levels with setting options, especially
1) Brightness
2) Color Saturation - very well known effect for darker saturated colors, you know what I am talking about, TAHITIAN PEACOCK COLOR PEARLS AND GREEN OVERTONES - enhancement of the colors to darker shades to mimic high quality color. Additionally, the artificial darkness will hide unevenly distributed patches of color.
Please do not mix the last part with rainbow color pearls and high iridescent pearls. Their colors will be harmoniously moving from one tone to another through difusion. Let me explain that in normal life: we are driving from the pearl exhibition in California back home, NC. Roads are smooth like an ice ring. You won’t realize that road is actually built like a snake constantly changing direction. No disruption while natures color changing throughout the drive in California. Finally, when reached to the NC border, low developed mostly. We start bumping this and that, jumping up the seat, and can’t clearly understand the song playing. It is still the road made of similar/same material BUT badly engineered: cracks on the surface at some point, uneven road due to not totally covered munch/tiny construction stones with the last layer and the roar of the road due to those. That part is the patchy uneven colors on pearl.
3) Color warmth - mainly caused silvery metallic overtone, example is Silver-Blue Akoyas when they are med/level luster and with very little blue hues
4) Vividness - that results specifically in metallic look, with highly saturated purple color like fuchsia, magenta, aubergine, cherry color as well as extreme lighter.
5) Definition
6) Sharpness
Both 5 and 6 are explained above as shape and color delineation.
if ONLY playing with those setting, light and environment yield the seller’s pictures, the you can judge by yourself, no comment by me here.
To long I wrote. I hope this won’t be another reason for more confusion.
Here attached the pic of the light I use: it has 3 different light brightness. Best is it is chargeable with a simple cable comes with it, no expense over batteries and less toxicity
Similar threads
