PPOT Brain Trust: 30th Wedding Anniversay-Need Pearls

[Hugh R]

So I'll search the internets and local jewelers, but my 30th Wedding anniversary is coming up with my trophy wife. I want to get her a pearl necklace (traditional 30th gift). Any jewelers, or others in the know about buying them? I've got a month.

[craigster59]

Try these guys. They have good pricing and selection. I've used Blue Nile for diamonds, these guys are equal in the pearl game. Exquisite Pearls & Pearl Jewelry at Great Prices - The Pearl Source

You can check out Glendale Jewelry Mart or L.A. Mart, you might find some deals there. If you want vintage, I can check with some propmaster friends and find some reputable dealers also.

[Hugh R]

Thanks, I'm a little leary about buying jewelry over the internets, and the malls have rediculous markups.

[Head416]

Thank you! My 10 year anniversary is next year, and now you've got me thinking!

[look 171]

Been out of the game. My father was a custom jeweler but retired now. Go Downtown and start hunting. what kind of pearls do you want? Many of the smaller shops are slow, so they are ready to deal. Their low overhead allow rock bottom pricing.

[Hugh R]

Freshwater/cultured is fine. White traditional. In looking at the non-cultured, they are very pricey. I'm think up to $500.

[Seahawk]

Years ago when I was on my first cruise we pulled into the Maldives, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean.

I was always looking for gifts for my Mom and assorted loved ones. What caught my eye were black pearls: Exotic Places: Black Pearl Jewelry souvenir From bora bora island That is the only link I could find.

I bought some for my Mom and Sisters and they were a huge hit. Granted, they all had white pearls so this was, at least to us, unique.

Good luck and congratulations, Hugh and the Mrs.!

[Crowbob]

I just had to check in to see of they were for you or your wife. No idea about pearls or where to get 'em, etc.

[craigster59]

Just talked with an art department friend who's family has been in the jewelery biz forever. His brother is a pearl expert and can give a good deal and advice. His name is Jerry, tell him Ara sent you. CLUB RADIANT | fine jewelry | watches | pearls | estates

[Zeke]

I bought cultured pearls a few years ago. Make sure the string is long enough to not look like a choker chain. With graduated sizes and a decent length and good color, you're going to spend more than 500. 24" is a nice length and can be worn in a lot of ways. I paid 800.

Actually, Costco has a pretty good selection from time to time. The tend to show stuff on the moderate side. Tell them what you are looking for and I think they will bring them in for you. Otherwise, you will be traipsing all over the jewelry mart.

Or take the advice here. The thing is about Costco is that you could take your purchase and have them appraised and if they don't look good, you take them back. No questions asked.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Just talked with an art department friend who's family has been in the jewelery biz forever. His brother is a pearl expert and can give a good deal and advice. His name is Jerry, tell him Ara sent you. CLUB RADIANT | fine jewelry | watches | pearls | estates

I know who those guy are, they are a couple of buildings north of us. We had a few clients on the same floor. That's how I remember the name.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Freshwater/cultured is fine. White traditional. In looking at the non-cultured, they are very pricey. I'm think up to $500.

My opinion is the non cultured pearl is super expensive if they are perfectly round with great color. Cultured ones are a bit easier and cheaper. At the end of the day, I am not sure if the untrained eye can tell. i don't know too much about pearls compared to other precious stones.

[tweezers74]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Actually, Costco has a pretty good selection from time to time. The tend to show stuff on the moderate side. Tell them what you are looking for and I think they will bring them in for you. Otherwise, you will be traipsing all over the jewelry mart.

Or take the advice here. The thing is about Costco is that you could take your purchase and have them appraised and if they don't look good, you take them back. No questions asked.

My parents bought me a pearl bracelet for a gift once from Costco. It broke a couple years later and I heard a rumor they would take it back with no questions. I did. And they replaced it.

[vash]

the only way to tell if a pearl is real is to feel it with your teeth. you teeth pick up the bumps and dents of a real pearl. a fake is perfectly smooth.

not so sure how you pull that off in a shop.

"hey, look!! a puppy!'

i had a lady in a pearl shop in hawaii tell me this. she wanted me to try it. pearls are not that expensive. if you spend $500 you are way up there.

[HardDrive]

Pearls are basically rated based on how long they 'cook' in the oyster. A longer growth time will result in a deeper, more luminous coating. More attractive, and more durable.

[widgeon13]

Mikimoto is the ultimate for pearls.

[Vipergrün]

Wow...no one has made the classic 'pearl necklace' comments yet??

Believe or not, +1 on Costco....

[Hugh R]

Thanks folks. I'll check out costco, mikimoto and the Pearl Source looks like a good candidate. I'm traveling a lot and don't see getting to the LA jewelry mart anytime soon.

24" cultured salt or freshwater may be the way to go.

[Hugh R]

Just looked at mikimoto (yikes!), think I'll go look at Costco and The Pearl Source.

[imcarthur]

I dunno. Hugh. 24" seems long. 20" would be more usable, I think. Get the best quality in white pearls. That way it will go with anything.

Ian