Hey everyone, I know it's really late, but i've had a long day and I haven't had a chance to post untill now. (I don't expect a response untill late tommarow sometime lol.) So, I don't really know where to begin with this post. I recieved my strand of pearls today. I finally decided to go with a strand of Freshadamas from PP because I want to pass down my pearls and I expect them to last 100 years+. Overall impression of the Necklace: Very classy and elegant style, off and on the neckline. Pearls appear very round in shape, good luster, not as much rose overtone as I was expecting, and not as much orient as I was expecting. Also more blemishes then I was expecting, don't know why but I was expecting less blemishes then what im seeing. Maybe my expectations were set too high? I ordered a strand at 16 inches in length knowing that the 18 inches would be too long for my neckline. Problem is, it seems very very short for 16 inches and barely fits around my neck. Almost choker style on me. So what does everyone think about a choker length of white pearls? And I can't seem to get the custom clasp I ordered to sit right when the pearls are around my neck. I have a million questions for you experts: The strand seems a bit too tightly strung, and kinked, and like the silk thread was glued near the clasp, will the knots and the strand loosen up with wear and a short amount of time to make the necklace slightly longer? I need to know if 3 weeks or so is long enough for the knots to loosen up and make the strand longer, or I have to send it back before the return policy ends? I actually like the higher up on the neck choker style, altho im not sure if it's something I will regret later down the road. The clasp turned out very beautiful however, and it gives the strand a very elegant appeal, I love it. I will have to take some pictures tommarow and post them asap. More questions: What do you think I should do? Keep the necklace to see if it fits better with wear and time? Or send it back asap to get a replacement made? Thanks sooooo much for your help. Looking forward to sharing some pictures.
Hi Spherical Flower,
I had started to answer some of your questions when my cat decided it was time to take a walk over my keyboard and puff? everything I had written just disappeared as she apparently pushed the right buttons?, lol.
So I start all over:
1) The overtone can sometimes be very weak, I have only one strand of Freshadamas with very pronounced rose overtones.
2) As for orient: this quality is supposed to have orient and you can probably see it with the help of a halogen lamp but then again: I have Freshadamas that do not show orient in my opinion but have lovely luster and overtone, so that is OK with me. You can never ever compare the orient you see on Baroques with the one on spherical pearls. I think a factor may be treatments of different kinds, even though Freshadama quality is supposed to go almost without any!
They just cannot compete with the rich orient of the Baroque shapes in my opinion!
3) Blemishes: there should ? if any at all ? be only very slight blemishes.
My four strands look perfect to the eye ? at very close inspection there are some very, very slight imperfections ? however that is the real joy ? there is no such thing as all pearls being perfect in a strand ? that will also show you that you have real pearls and not Majoricas, which would be perfect uniform in size, shape, luster etc.
I am sure there is a perfect strand of pearls to be had ? but at a cost!
4) Length: 16? is barely long enough for my neck as well and think about the possibility of putting on weight?. It is better to order a couple of extra pearls so you can put them in the strand once it is to be restrung! Or even take 18? from the beginning.
I don?t like the feeling of the pearls getting sweatty if getting hot. Anyway, don?t forget to wipe the strand after wearing it with a soft, moist cloth, not WET though, as it will stretch the silk and make restringing necessary much earlier than normally.
5) All newly knotted strands can be a bit kinky, just put it on a table and roll it gently and the knots will loosen up a bit. Or hang it, that also will do the trick. ( As I would not want to wear my wedding strand before the actual wedding, this is the best solution, I think).The third possibility is to simply wear them.
6) I don?t know what PP is thinking if you are returning the strand. Perhaps it would be allright as it is only the clasp that is custom ordered but you should expect to pay a fee to get the strand restrung with some more pearls and the clasp attached to it. I have a double row of Freshadamas, custom ordered and it says clearly that in case of custom orders you cannot return them as simply as otherwise. Check with PP before sending it!
However, send us some close up photos to be able to see the blemishes, please. I just cannot believe they would send you a strand with a custom clasp, where the pearls are not close to perfect!!! What does the certificate state?
