uodora?

[Pomelo]

I think it is better to see more Tahitian pearls in person and figure out what you prefer and see the pearls on your skin too. Have a look at Pearls of Joy website they are having sale now and I think their selection of Tahitians is quite wide at the moment and really well-priced. You can see all the different colors and shapes, they will not sell pearls that are not up to their quality standards unlike some sellers you find on Ebay…and they have 100 days return policy which is super important.

I can also recommend CMW pearls as mentioned before, but since you are in US it is trickier with returns so I would definitely go with a US seller first until you get a “pearl-eye” and then it will get easier for you to read pearl pictures and understand what you can expect from them. (Because..well...I dont know if it is even humanely possible to stop at one strand only when there are so many possibilities out there)

As mentioned - another thing to consider - how to read the pearl pictures and descriptions. For example CMW have a category that is “top luster” but that doesnt mean that the pearl is also a “top quality.” Then there is “high luster top quality” and then AAA quality where luster isnt even mentioned, and so on…I have one of their top luster AA quality pearls and frankly the luster is so magnificent that I dont see the blemishes at all. Since I never do returns because I always ask for my individual pearls to be drilled I am very careful about what I buy. If unsure I ask for additional information and videos and they always provide them promptly. And every seller has their own way of taking pictures and describing the pearls….it is for sure an adventure to be hunting for that perfect Tahitian strand ;-)

Good advice, always ask for more photos and videos!

I actually found the low quality “top lustre” pearl from CMW that somehow snuck into my bracelet strand…

 

[eolian pearls]

Good advice, always ask for more photos and videos!

I actually found the low quality “top lustre” pearl from CMW that somehow snuck into my bracelet strand…


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Oh @Pomelo! That is one blemished pearl that luster cant save What grade is this supposed to be? Frankly the blemishes reminded me the name of this thread.... just judging from Tahitian pearls pictures on their website.

I dont know uodora quality in person but I have bought 7 bracelet set pearls from CMW and a lot of individual pearls. Of those I have one AA quality that I bought because I loved the colors for a project, two AA/AAA quality and 4 top quality bracelets. Of couse the AA pearls had some blemishes but nothing really distracting, and in all those bracelets there were maybe only a one or two pearls that were not as excpected, so I would say it is more of an exception to find misgraded pearls at CMW.

This is the AA bracelet the lowest quality I have from them. The CMW picture and finished necklace. The blemishes are there but nothing major. You cant really see the blemishes on the glamour picture but it is AA quality for a reason…I liked your idea @Pomelo to ask for the pictures of the most blemished/weakest pearl of the set, I wish there was always a picture of the worst side of the pearls and “non glamour” pictures on all seller’s posts ;-)

Just a clarification, the biggest pearl on the necklace is a 14mm pearl from Druzy, not a CMW pearl. The rest are CMW from the bracelet ( I also used some purple ones for another project) and maybe one or two druzy as well, this was a long time ago…I found this necklace in my collection again and will post it in “Show as your pearls in action” thread ;-)