It's Black Friday...how about some Black Tahitian Pearls. I've got a GREAT story about these.
Early in my pearling endeavors I was scouring EBay for some black pearls. During that search I found this 36" strand, unknotted without a clasp, of what I now know are black Tahitian 8mm round pearls. At the time, the seller wasn't sure if they were Akoya or Tahitian and I hadn't taken the Pearl Course so I didn't know either. They are perfectly round and have a mostly black smooth surface with some dark green or very dark gray/blue undertones. The seller photographed them on beige shag carpet against a yardstick...not exactly how most people would think to buy an expensive strand of black pearls. The pearls looked genuine but it did seem somewhat of a risk to purchase them. I offered about $100 less than the starting bid and he accepted my offer! (I think it was the shag carpet that kept other buyers away.) Upon winning I inquired about the history of the pearls. The seller was the son of the woman who had owned them. They were and estate strand from the late 1970's. Apparently the seller's mother was divorced and frequently took trips with "boyfriends" to various exotic places. The seller said, "And us kids were never invited." LOL! Her "travel companions" would purchase lovely gifts for her, and she kept them in her safe. Upon her death, her son was selling these items off on EBay. The black pearls were never strung into a necklace so they were completely unused. They even had a yellow post-it-note with them that said in her handwriting, "From Seymour, 1978, Japan wholesale black pearls, 36" $1,700." I told him why I was purchasing them and promised to send the pictures after everything was restrung. He was so sweet; after I sent him the photos...he said, "WOW, WOW, my mother would have been so jealous and pleased at how these turned out! She never had the money to have then strung. They are ready for Hollywood's Red Carpet! Thank so much for sharing." Sometimes the connections we make on a sale or purchase are as special as the strands themselves. Person connecting with person, mother connecting with daughter, storyteller connecting with story reader...all beautiful connections of this amazing human experience.
Back to the pearls...
Since my daughter had ALWAYS talked about wanting a strand of black pearls, I decided to bid and ended up winning the pearls. I conspired with my son-in-law to split the cost with me and give them to her for her 30'th birthday as a surprise. He was glad for the budget gift that would have cost him so much more at the jewelry store; plus the fact that her mother had selected and strung them especially for her. I also purchased the diamond circle clasp on EBay. The winning price on that bracelet was so great, even for just the clasp, so the pearls from the bracelet strand were basically free. I also found an 18" strand of black pearls that could be made into the bracelet. Out of the original 36" I made 2-18" necklaces; "Mother-Daughter" strands (but mine is fancier!!) I created a unique box for the birthday party. This special box has a "lift lid" so the pearls could be beautifully displayed on a black velvet bust underneath the lid. That way, when she opened the gift, the pearls could make their "grand entrance" at her 30'th birthday party. It was a huge success! I made her a little matching 2-strand bracelet with the lesser quality 18" strand and finished it with a rose shaped rhodium sterling silver one-touch clasp. From 2 of the better pearls off of the original 36" strand I made her some earrings too.
Happy Black Friday!!!