Advice on buying pearls for fiance

[younglaw]

I'd like to get my fiance a nice pearl necklace for Christmas. I do have a somewhat limited budget, but would like to get a decent set that is classy and will last. I'd like to go with a bit of a pinkish/rose tinge because she is kind of pale.

Here are the necklaces I've narrowed it down to. PLEASE advise. I'm definitely open to other retailers.

I'm clueless when it comes to quality of jewelry and don't want to overspend, nor do I want to buy a piece of crap. Thank you in advance for any guidance.

http://www.pearlparadise.com/detail.aspx?ID=102

http://www.thepearloutlet.com/servle...supplierID=490

http://www.pearlparadise.com/detail.aspx?ID=113

http://www.pearlparadise.com/detail.aspx?ID=85

http://www.amazon.com/Quality-6-5-7m...5916427&sr=8-8

 

[nashequilibrium22]

I think you're probably paying too much. My wife travels to India, the middle east, and the orient fairly often and she's always shocked by how little pearls cost there. She's taken to buying pearls through "alternative channels" that exploit the difference between US retail and middle east prices.

If it were me, I would do some research on ebay sellers that are in that region of the world and have excellent feedback. I was always unwilling to consider that as an option until I saw what kind of deals she was getting.

 

[younglaw]

Originally Posted by nashequilibrium22

I think you're probably paying too much. My wife travels to India, the middle east, and the orient fairly often and she's always shocked by how little pearls cost there. She's taken to buying pearls through "alternative channels" that exploit the difference between US retail and middle east prices.

If it were me, I would do some research on ebay sellers that are in that region of the world and have excellent feedback. I was always unwilling to consider that as an option until I saw what kind of deals she was getting.

Thank you for the suggestion, but how can you ensure the quality? It seems like even pearls within a AAA rating can vary greatly.

 

[Davidko19]

Originally Posted by younglaw

I'd like to get my fiance a nice pearl necklace for Christmas.

I'd like to go with a bit of a pinkish/rose tinge because she is kind of pale.

I'm definitely open to other retailers.

Sometimes the jokes just write themselves...

 

[younglaw]

Well played my friend

As I was writing it, I was thinking of all the jokes I could make.

Any serious recommendations though?

 

[Cary Grant]

Those prices look pretty fair. I get my wife's pearls at ShaneCo (bought locally).
http://www.shaneco.com/freetext/defa...rls&Loc=SEARCH

If she has no other pearls I might consider a basic strand of white pearls (not pink). A basic strand of white pearls is a staple. She'll love them.

 

[tiecollector]

Another thread recommended www.pearlsofjoy.com. I am going to get my girlfriend some 6.5-7mm 18" Akoya white pearls with silver overtone.

 

[The Deacon]

Originally Posted by tiecollector

Another thread recommended www.pearlsofjoy.com. I am going to get my girlfriend some 6.5-7mm 18" Akoya white pearls with silver overtone.

Thank you so much!

 

[TheFoo]

I went with 7.5-8mm pearls from Mikimoto--probably very overpriced, but reliable, I guess. I've heard of some place called American Pearl (or something similar) that is supposed to have pearls similar in quality to what Mikimoto sells, but for much better prices.

My only advice is to emphasize size over quality once you get beyond the 'A' rating--on a whole strand, the size of each individual pearl will make a much bigger visual difference than their grade.

 

[Manton]

mafoo, is there any luxury good with which you are not familiar, down to the last trifling detail of interest only to those with 20 years in the biz?

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by Manton

mafoo, is there any luxury good with which you are not familiar, down to the last trifling detail of interest only to those with 20 years in the biz?

The entire universe of my luxury goods knowledge is but a pea on a plate in the unfathomable expanse that is your knowledge of suiting cloth.

 

[younglaw]

Thank you all for your advice.

Color-wise: I understand white pearl necklace is a staple, but I'm concerned the color won't look as stunning on her as lavender or pink/peach.

She's pale/fair skin (no freckles) with green eyes and light brown hair. Anyone good with knowing which colors won't be flattering on her? Or which ones will be?

 

[tiecollector]

Originally Posted by younglaw

Thank you all for your advice.

Color-wise: I understand white pearl necklace is a staple, but I'm concerned the color won't look as stunning on her as lavender or pink/peach.

She's pale/fair skin (no freckles) with green eyes and light brown hair. Anyone good with knowing which colors won't be flattering on her? Or which ones will be?

Try geting some white pearls with pink overtone then.

 

[texas_jack]

I just bought some pearls from Pearlparadise and the consensus I got was that the Freshadama line from them is the way to go. It's pretty much the same quality as Akoyas but the way they are seeded they have a much thicker nacre and hence will last longer. Basically Freshadama are the top .01% of all freshwater pearls. I asked for a rose overtone since my gf is also very pale. I went with the 8.5-9mm and let me say they looked incredible. I'd never really noticed fine pearls but once you see real high quality ones there's nothing like it. Also, pearlparadise put the strand together and shipped in record time. Highly recommeded.

 

[younglaw]

I've heard good things about Freshadama too. It looks like the 8.5-9mm is almost twice the price of the 7-8mm. Is the difference in size that noticeable?