Mary-Contrary
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2020
- Messages
- 51
Definitely post your creation when you finish, I can’t wait to see it
uodora?
- Thread starter J.lee
- Start date
eolian pearls
Well-known member
Hi, as someone who has collected individual pearls over the years to make a necklace I can definitely tell you that it is NOT a budget saving strategy ;-)
I mean I started to collect Tahitian pearls without thinking they would one day become a full necklace because at the beginning of my pearl obsession I had no idea my budget could stretch that far…I wanted to see different colors and shapes so I ordered pearls mostly from Druzy on Ebay, Jac from Pearl House on Etsy (unfortunately this shop doesnt exist anymore) Wen on Etsy ( 10 years ago she had quite single T pearls that were somewhat AA quality)…Over time I could see what works better with my skintone and what shapes I loved more and slowly started to put together a very mismatched necklace…and then I discovered CMW pearls and I forgot all about the budget and suddenly I had enough pearls for 2 necklaces and an ombre rope…But then of course I was missing some special color pearls and I kept looking and finding more perfect pearls for the necklaces… Which I absolutely LOVE but the pearls there will never be perfectly matched in size and shape and the drill holes are also different on different pearls so my necklaces dont really have the regular knots either.
None of this is a problem for me, just something to consider. If you are always on a lookout for the perfect pearls for your necklace you will be tempted by pieces that dont fit this project but are too beautiful to pass on etc… My family and friends definitely dont complain about all the pearl gifts they have been receiving ;-)
Also once I saw high quality high luster Tahitians my original Wen pearls have been relocated to other projects…All in all after 10 years I am very happy with the necklaces I have assembled but also when I saw a multicolor 7-9mm oval/drop shape necklace at Etsy Ocean Rhyme shop that would compliment my 9-11mm strand I immediately bought it. But at that point I already knew what I was looking for in a necklace. So my advice is to discover what works best for you and what you love best and once you have that figured out and dont find it online you can also contact the recommended seller here and ask them if they can find it for you. Good luck with your Tahitian adventure;-)
A picture of my LOVE strand - my first strand with collected pearls, it has been changing every year. When worn the difference in shapes is not noticeable but it was quite tricky to pull that off…
I mean I started to collect Tahitian pearls without thinking they would one day become a full necklace because at the beginning of my pearl obsession I had no idea my budget could stretch that far…I wanted to see different colors and shapes so I ordered pearls mostly from Druzy on Ebay, Jac from Pearl House on Etsy (unfortunately this shop doesnt exist anymore) Wen on Etsy ( 10 years ago she had quite single T pearls that were somewhat AA quality)…Over time I could see what works better with my skintone and what shapes I loved more and slowly started to put together a very mismatched necklace…and then I discovered CMW pearls and I forgot all about the budget and suddenly I had enough pearls for 2 necklaces and an ombre rope…But then of course I was missing some special color pearls and I kept looking and finding more perfect pearls for the necklaces… Which I absolutely LOVE but the pearls there will never be perfectly matched in size and shape and the drill holes are also different on different pearls so my necklaces dont really have the regular knots either.
None of this is a problem for me, just something to consider. If you are always on a lookout for the perfect pearls for your necklace you will be tempted by pieces that dont fit this project but are too beautiful to pass on etc… My family and friends definitely dont complain about all the pearl gifts they have been receiving ;-)
Also once I saw high quality high luster Tahitians my original Wen pearls have been relocated to other projects…All in all after 10 years I am very happy with the necklaces I have assembled but also when I saw a multicolor 7-9mm oval/drop shape necklace at Etsy Ocean Rhyme shop that would compliment my 9-11mm strand I immediately bought it. But at that point I already knew what I was looking for in a necklace. So my advice is to discover what works best for you and what you love best and once you have that figured out and dont find it online you can also contact the recommended seller here and ask them if they can find it for you. Good luck with your Tahitian adventure;-)
A picture of my LOVE strand - my first strand with collected pearls, it has been changing every year. When worn the difference in shapes is not noticeable but it was quite tricky to pull that off…
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Thank your for the insight. Your pearls are beautiful and I hope to own a strand with multi colors.
Off the google and Etsy! Will be looking up these sellers.
From my experience: Saltwater pearls really pick up their surroundings... I have 1 strand of Tahitians that I really hate on me... I love them to look at...so I am enjoying them that way! I also have bought from Udora...because you really do get the ones that you pick out! I have very specific looks that I want & may or may not be what some seller picks out for me. I needed the greenish & white (slime) pearls...but I had a bad experience when a seller picked them out for me... I wanted wrinkled...they sent smooth...never again! Often I buy from Udora for 1 or 2 pearls to add to a strand that is too short, has bad pearl or needs earrings. There have been several other Etsy pearl sellers that show exactly what you are getting and I have tried several for matching 1 or 2 pearls.
When I needed almost a bracelet worth...EBay was easier...But I knew what I was looking for and at... to match what I had. Buying gently used avoids the shipped from China pearls to an USA hub! (And in this case made matching vintage to vintage much easier!!!). EBay always does returns if it is in the US and I have rarely had to use the "Not as Described" return to sellers that have varied and good feedback. (But I am not good enough to always tell faux...from photos...so some I returned & paid for...some the seller was wrong, so they paid for the return.). This really was important when I needed to match my Mother-in-laws vintage Akoyas to lengthen her strand. I returned both ones that I thought were Akoya, that were faux (I paid return shipping) and the ones listed as real akoya, but were faux (they paid shipping). I got around 12 necklaces both "faux" and real.....I asked each time how the seller knew they were Faux or real... but I did get one that had been ID by an auction house & jeweler as real, but it had peeling paint coating, the seller was nice & paid the return. I only had one seller that had good feedback but was terrible, told me I should have known $30 was Faux even though he listed it as "Pearl" with no mention of imitiation or faux. So out of 12...only 1 bad experience. One big surprise...that the seller took care of (Miss-ID twice!). Several Faux's that were real Akoyas..several "real pearls" that were faux and enough that I had options. Most of the necklaces were from $20-60 with shipping, some cost me $5 to return (I checked policies before buying). The pearls ended up being around $60 with returns cost & I used only 1/2 of the necklace. Not too bad for my MIL sentimental pearls!
When I needed almost a bracelet worth...EBay was easier...But I knew what I was looking for and at... to match what I had. Buying gently used avoids the shipped from China pearls to an USA hub! (And in this case made matching vintage to vintage much easier!!!). EBay always does returns if it is in the US and I have rarely had to use the "Not as Described" return to sellers that have varied and good feedback. (But I am not good enough to always tell faux...from photos...so some I returned & paid for...some the seller was wrong, so they paid for the return.). This really was important when I needed to match my Mother-in-laws vintage Akoyas to lengthen her strand. I returned both ones that I thought were Akoya, that were faux (I paid return shipping) and the ones listed as real akoya, but were faux (they paid shipping). I got around 12 necklaces both "faux" and real.....I asked each time how the seller knew they were Faux or real... but I did get one that had been ID by an auction house & jeweler as real, but it had peeling paint coating, the seller was nice & paid the return. I only had one seller that had good feedback but was terrible, told me I should have known $30 was Faux even though he listed it as "Pearl" with no mention of imitiation or faux. So out of 12...only 1 bad experience. One big surprise...that the seller took care of (Miss-ID twice!). Several Faux's that were real Akoyas..several "real pearls" that were faux and enough that I had options. Most of the necklaces were from $20-60 with shipping, some cost me $5 to return (I checked policies before buying). The pearls ended up being around $60 with returns cost & I used only 1/2 of the necklace. Not too bad for my MIL sentimental pearls!
Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
I absolutely loathe doing returns so I'm really picky about where I buy from.
What are y’all’s favorite size for T’s?
I was browsing eBay and saw a seller by the name of continental pearls based in California.
This one caught my eye. Thoughts?
I was browsing eBay and saw a seller by the name of continental pearls based in California.
This one caught my eye. Thoughts?
Tahitian Pearls Necklace Loose Strand 11-14mm Short-Drops Baroques Silver Gray | eBay
This Tahitian strand, with circled-drop-shaped pearls, is simply easy on the eye. Pearl Type: 100% authentic Tahitian pearls. All-natural in color. They have not been treated, dyed nor enhanced in any way.
ebay.us
Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
Younger Tahitian oysters tend to produce better colored pearls, but smaller because the oysters themselves are smaller. Really large Tahitian pearls, produced by older oysters, will tend not to have as flashy colors. But that is a generalization. I like more colorful Tahitian pearls so I don't go for huge ones. Smaller ones are also less costly.
Maybe ask yourself what you prioritize in Tahitians.
color?
cost?
size?
shape?
luster?
All the above lol. @Pearl Dreams you mentioned that the strand I posted from fb marketplace (7-9mm) was on the smaller size. What size do you gravitate towards? 10mm?
Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
It's not that simple. I have various T strands, as does my husband. In general I prefer larger pearls for shorter necklaces and smaller pearls for longer ones (larger = heavier and I do not like heavy necklaces.)
What I was getting at re: priorities is that they conflict. Color and size conflict (better color and luster = smaller size). Size and price conflict (larger = costlier). Shape and price conflict (rounder = costlier.) So you need to figure out what is more important to you.
What I happen to prefer is really irrelevant.
What I was getting at re: priorities is that they conflict. Color and size conflict (better color and luster = smaller size). Size and price conflict (larger = costlier). Shape and price conflict (rounder = costlier.) So you need to figure out what is more important to you.
What I happen to prefer is really irrelevant.
Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
Tahitians are like potato chips. No one can stop at one. 
SurfnSci
Pearl-minded
I would recommend JNBgems on etsy. I have purchased a lot of pearls from them over the years, both individual and strand-length, and the pictures are accurate and I think the prices are fair. I also love CMW. Their prices are fair and the pictures and videos are accurate for everything I have bought from them.
The strand on ebay from continental pearls is lovely, but I think the 3 pearls with large drill holes are problematic (and it is very nice that they did highlight those holes). They will likely either need to be remove when strung, or will take some finagling with gimp to make sure the hole is snug enough for the silk/thread so that they will not hang weird/obscure/fall down on the knots. I like that the strand is accurately represented, but in my opinion, there are a lot of fishbites and grooves without nacre, and again in my opinion, the price is high for that level of quality. Maybe they are super lustrous, which would drown out the imperfections, but I would be nervous about that...
Pearl Dreams, that is too true!!!
The strand on ebay from continental pearls is lovely, but I think the 3 pearls with large drill holes are problematic (and it is very nice that they did highlight those holes). They will likely either need to be remove when strung, or will take some finagling with gimp to make sure the hole is snug enough for the silk/thread so that they will not hang weird/obscure/fall down on the knots. I like that the strand is accurately represented, but in my opinion, there are a lot of fishbites and grooves without nacre, and again in my opinion, the price is high for that level of quality. Maybe they are super lustrous, which would drown out the imperfections, but I would be nervous about that...
Pearl Dreams, that is too true!!!
I can see that. I thank you for being so patient with all my questionsTahitians are like potato chips. No one can stop at one.
Thank you SurfnSci. I haven’t even read the descriptions yet. I’ve been busy just adding to my wishlist and was going to look at them in detail later on.
Ty for letting me know the price is high for what it is.
I will def check out that Etsy seller
Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
Just be prepared for tariffs. JNBgems ships from Canada....
Amoreperla
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2025
- Messages
- 34
Wen generally has the best flameballs that I have gotten from any seller. Just make sure you are getting the ones they have graded aaa. They are very good about telling you if the pearl is repaired but cheap .
eolian pearls
Well-known member
Wen does have great freshwater pearls the thing is to always get the highest grade she offers.
eolian pearls
Well-known member
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 ;-)
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