Mikimoto South Sea Pearl Necklace

Q: I went to Mikimoto the other day and saw a beautiful white south sea strand for $9,800, small pearls, 8 to 8.9mm. I was looking for a little bigger 8-10, and they said I would have to put a deposit to have it made and it would be anywhere from $16,000-18,000. It was pretty because the pearls weren't so grey, they were warmer "creamier". So I was wondering if you could look at the White South Sea Strand on the website WSS30-xxx. It is described as AAA 8.5-10 mm with silver/rose overtones for $6000.00 Are there really rose overtones?? What is the luster like, etc.

A: The strand you are asking about does has silver and rose overtones, so it has that kind of "pop" n the luster that the silver strands tend to have. If you are looking for a creamier overtone like you saw at Mikimoto, this strand will not be a match. Let me know if you like the size and quality of that strand and I can go on a search for a more ivory or ivory/cream strand for you (it would actually cost less than a rose strand). If we do not have the exact piece in inventory, I would be happy to match loose pearls for you to create the perfect strand - no desposit required!

Appraisal Mistake

Q: Thank you for my Freshadama pearl necklace. It is truly lovely. I really appreciate PearlParadise customizing the length to the longer 23.5 inches that best suits me. I love everything about them. I note, however, that the certificate did not adjust the length up from the original 18" length necklace to the new length and value for the 23.5" necklace. Is it possible that I could get a revised appraisal to suit the new, customized length? Once again, the pearls are beautiful - thank you.

A: I apologize for the oversight. I would be more than happy to send you a corrected appraisal for this item. It has not been possible for me to find your order just based on your email address so if you could, reply back to this message with either your full name or the order number from that original order and I will get this sent out to you right away.

Loose Akoya Pearl

Q: I have a ring setting that I would like to buy a Hanadama or AAA grade (white/rose) akoya pearl for. How do I go about purchasing one? I know I could buy a pair of earrings and remove the mounting, but pearls can crack or be scratched if you do that, and I really would rather not take that chance.

A: We do have single Akoya pearls in AAA quality available that are half-drilled and unmounted. We can either send you the pearl by itself or if you prefer, we can mount the pearl into your ring setting. I’ll be happy to give you a price for each of those options but will need to know the size of the pearl. Once you make your final choice we’ll proceed from there.

Should you decide to send your ring setting here, it would only take a few business days to mount the pearl and send it back to you. If you prefer to purchase the pearl alone and have it set locally, we can most likely ship the pearl to you on the same day it’s ordered.

Freshadama or Akoya

Q: Hi I am interested in buying a 16" necklace. Either Acoya or Freshadama. I am interested in the 7-7.5MM size. (I would select the AAA in the Akoya if I purchased that one) I am just unclear what the difference would look like. If I understand correctly, the Freshadama would wear better over time due to the increased nacre. Am I correct on that? I can also see that within the Akoya I can select my overtone. But it appears that with the Freshadama, I cannot. Is this correct? I am also aware that there is a good bit of difference between the price of the two. But either is within my budget. I am new to pearls, so I am sorry if these are silly questions. But I do not like to return items I buy. So I would prefer to get it right the first time. Thoughts?

A: Your questions about the difference between the Akoya and Freshadama pearls are not silly at all. Since the Freshadama pearls are a fairly new product, these questions are being posed by many of our customers. You are correct that the Freshadama are more hardy and will wear better over time since they are nacre all the way though. Freshadama pearls are very close to round (less than 5% deviation), and have very high luster that often will rival that of the Akoya pearls. Also, Freshadama pearls will exhibit orient which is a rainbow like reflection on the surface that is not seen on many pearls. Because the Freshadama pearls are far scarcer than the Akoya, the inventory available is limited and we don’t list an overtone choice. If you have a choice of overtone you may let us know your preference when you place the order, and we’ll do our best to select a strand you would like.
Akoya pearls are the traditional choice for classic white pearl strands and are often purchased by those desiring for the classic pearl look. They are more delicate both in reality and in appearance, and are still the most popular choice. Since the Akoya pearls are more plentiful, we have a larger inventory to select from, and can offer the overtone choice on the Website.
You would need to care for either type of pearl in much the same manner in regards to storage, exposure to chemical substances, and restringing.
To select pearls for your own use, the best choice is the one you will get the most enjoyment and wear. If you want a strand that will hold up with frequent use and that you won’t worry about over time then I would recommend the Freshadama. If however, you are thinking of the classic white strand, you might prefer the Akoya.

If you do purchase either of these strands from Pearl Paradise and are not pleased with the item, you may exchange or return it for up to 90 days from the date of the order. We will be happy to work with you to select just the strand you will like so if you do have more questions, please feel free to let us know.

Order Processing Issue

Q: I tried to order but it was rejected and no reason given ---is it because I am overseas at the moment?

A: We apologize for this inconvenience and will try to determine the problem with your order attempt. When you got to that last page where the order was declined, was there no message across the top in red text? Usually there is a message of some sort described in code, in a sequence of numbers and letters. Very often the difficulty is a simple typing error in the address or credit card information. If you have attempted the order a second time and it is still not processing, I would be happy to put the order in for you here in the office. If you have a number where we can reach you (even International) please let us know, along with a good time to call,

Thank you for letting us know about the problem and we will also look into any technical issues that might have caused this to happen. In the meantime, please feel free to email me your information and I’ll place the order for you myself.

Freshadama Color

Q: The fresh water adamas say the color is peach in one spot and pink another. I want the pink color. Could you tell me which color they are?

A: The Freshadama pearls are all natural-colour and as such are found in a variety of overtones. When we list the Freshadama and other grades of freshwater pearls on the site, we try to list them with the colour most predominant in our current inventory. Since the inventory changes with each new harvest, the colours available will change as well. If you have a preference of colouration, you may contact us either by email, phone, or on the Live Chat directly through the website to see if the strand you prefer in your size choice is available and we would be happy to check the current inventory. This way if there is a strand that meets your specifications, we can set it aside for your order.

Custom Bracelet

Q: Do you make custom pieces? While in the Philippines last year I requested a bracelet created from a ldark freshwater long stranded neclace. I am a rather large man and let's say the request was unusual to the woman. That said, the single strnded was cut in half to create two rows that fit neatly into a more masculine clasp. I had received numerous compliments on the piece. Alas, while out one evening the bracelet got snagged on a door knob and broke. Would it be possible to make a custom piece?

A: We do offer custom design pieces and if you have a photograph or sketch of the bracelet, we would be happy to take a look and determine what we can do. Do you still have the original bracelet? This can be helpful when determining the size, quality, and number of pearls on a piece and to see how the clasp functioned if you really liked the original. We have a large selection of pearls to choose from and would be happy to send you photos of some different sizes and colours to determine price and final design.

Return of Necklace

Q. I received my beautiful pink pearls last week. Unknown to me my daughter got me a strand of pink pearls for mothers day. Since hers were a gift I feel I should keep them. So I would like to return my pearls for a refund. What should the procedure be? What address should I send them?

A: It sounds like you have a wonderful daughter!

If you would like to send back the pearls you ordered simply return them to the address on the invoice and we’ll take care of it as soon as we receive your package. Please include a copy of the original invoice and a note to indicating that you woud like to return the item(s). The original payment method will be refunded the amount of the order minus the shipping charge only.
You may use any shipping method that is most convenient for you since we do accept deliveries from virtually all shipping companies.

I hope you had a lovely Mother’s Day!

International Orders

Q: Hi, I have been impressed with your site and would like some help with finding out details of the pearls you sell and how the process works with international customers. I live in London,UK. How to hear from you soon.

A: We would be happy to answer any questions you have about specific items or pearls listed on the site. Should you require additional information or are interested in customizing a piece, you can email us and we’ll address those questions.

For international orders to the UK, you may place the order via the website at your convenience for any standard item listed on the site. When you are filling in the address information select the country first and then complete the rest of the shipping address. International shipping options are Global Priority Mail and International FedEx. For custom orders we would work with you to fine tune all the details before we place the order within our offices.

Knots

Q: I am looking at your Tahitian necklaces. Are they knotted between each pearl? Most do not look that way.

A: The Tahitian strands you see photographed on the site are on temporary strands and are not yet knotted. When these strands are ordered, the customer selects a clasp and we have them strung on silk thread with knots between each pearl. Since each South Sea pearl strand is one-of-a-kind, we show the photos of the individual strands instead of a generic photo which allows you to select a specific item you like and customize it with a clasp to suit your personal style.

Showroom Appointment

Q: Is it possible to visit your location when I am in LA?

A: We do accept one customer per day by appointment only. If you are in the Los Angeles area and would like to make an appointment we would be happy to accommodate you.

Do Chains Come With Pendants

Q: Do chains come with the pendants. If not, can they be purchased separately from you? Thanks for your assistance.

A: Yes, every pendant includes a chain. The karat of the chain also corresponds to that of the individual pendant, as some pendants are composed of 14k (those without diamonds), and some are of 18k (those with diamonds).

South Sea Pearl Necklace

Q: I am interested in purchasing an 16 or 18 inch, 8.5 to 10mm (or around that size), AAA quality, Round, White with Rose overtones, South Sea Pearl necklace. I notice that you have one on your Site but it is sold. Do you know when you could expect to have more like this? I would also be interested in matching earrings.

A: If you are looking for a strand that is similar to the WSS233 at $6000.00 that is sold, I would be happy , however, to either match another identical strand from loose pearls, or check our inventory for a similar piece. Once we decide on a strand that you may like, we can match a pair of earrings to the strand. It would be very helpful for me to know a few things before I get started so if you would like me to attempt to find you a strand, let me know the following information and I’ll get started.

Finished length of strand
Type of clasp
Gold color of clasp
Size of pearls for earrings
Style of earrings (stud, dangle, etc)
Budget limit for project
Deadline for project

Once I have this information, it should only take a few days to have some options for you to choose from. Please feel free to describe your perfect strand in as much detail as possible. We have tens of thousands of loose pearls and hundreds of finished South Sea strands – we will certainly be able to assist you.

Add A Pearl Necklace

Q: I am searching for what used to be called an " add a pearl "necklace. They had the first three middle pearls, and they were added to on special days until the young lady had a complete strand when she graduated from college. Do you carry anything like this?

A: The Add-A-Pearl necklaces were a popular method of purchasing pearls for young women in years past. While the tradition was a lovely, sentimental choice and made a strand more affordable when pearls were harder to come by, today the Add-A-Pearl custom has many disadvantages. It is much more difficult to match individual pearls for colour, overtone, luster, and overall quality one at a time. The size graduation is also very difficult to manage for a smooth and pleasant shift without having the existing pearls in our possession. It’s also necessary to add labor cost for the time required to match one or two pearls to the existing pearls in the collection. Another problem with the Add-A-Pearl plan is that the pearls were traditionally put onto a chain until there were enough to create a complete strand. This often means the pearls need to be drilled with a larger hole to accommodate the chain. Unfortunately this can cause a problem when the final strand is knotted on silk thread because the hole is often too large for the silk and the knots slip inside the pearls instead of resting between. The chain will also wear away at the drill hole over time if they are handled very much and can potentially damage the pearls. When you then add the cost of shipping the pearls back and forth, potentially several times a year, the tradition becomes far more expensive in the long run.

We have an option for customers interested in pursuing this tradition to consider that is far more cost effective in the long run and is much easier to manage. If you would like either a strand or a set for the recipient, our suggestion is to purchase a completed strand or set and give one or two pearls at a time. We can send you the pearls on what are called temporary strands or loose hanks so that the pearls can easily be removed. The price of an already matched strand is much lower, the pearls are perfectly matched for colour, overtone, luster, nacre quality, and the graduation of size is smooth and attractive. It is also more convenient to have the completed strand in your possession so that you can remove the pearls when you want instead of spending your valuable time searching for those individual pearls.

When you are giving the pearls as gifts, it’s best to determine if you want to start in the centre of the strand and work your way out to the ends, or to start at one end and remove the pearls consistently from one end to the other. Should you decide to start with the centre pearls and work towards the ends, this adds the option to string the necklace at a shorter length with fewer pearls for someone younger. Then as she gets older and you continue to add pearls to the ends, she can restring the necklace to a longer length so it grows with her. To keep the drill hole for the pearls at the same size as is required for a knotted strand, the pearls can be wire-wrapped to a cable-link chain that will keep the pearls stationary on the chain until there are enough pearls to make a strand. This system will maintain the quality of the pearls since they will not be sliding on a chain which might wear down the nacre. This can be done at most local jewelry stores for a minimal expense.

The most popular sizes of Akoya pearls are 6.5-7.0mm and 7.0-7.5mm. These sizes are appropriate for women of all ages and are the most versatile. We offer a variety of strands and sets in these sizes and you have your choice of grade quality and overtone. The strands are available in both 16” and 18” lengths with the standard being 18” which offers the maximum versatility over time.

Atlas Pendant

Q: I'm wondering how long the TAP-Atlas pendant is -- please advise.

A: The Atlas pendant measures 17.85mm (.7 inches from the top of the bale to the top of the pearl. The total length of the piece will depend on the size of the pearl but this should give you some idea of the total length.

Graduated Strand of Pearls

Q: I hope you can help. An elderly relative willed a saltwater pearl necklace to me in 2000. I had it appraised at that time and that appraisal is $1900 total. The necklace has 72 pearls on a single strand. The largest pearl is .10mm, two are 9.0mm, eighteen are 8.5mm to 7.5mm, two are 7.0mm. Forty-eight are from 6.5 to 4.5. All are well matched. Color is creamy, good luster and shape almost round. Strand is 21 inches long. The reason for my writing is do you think I need to have this necklace restrung as it was purchased in 1947 which is almost 60 years ago? I am afraid to wear it for this reason. Looking forward to your reply.

A: If the strand has not been restrung in many years it should definitely be done before you wear it. I suggest having it strung on silk thread only and make sure the strand is knotted. Silk thread is much gentler on the pearls and has a fluid hang. When the pearls are first re-strung, they should appear to be a bit kinked. This indicated a snug knotting job and as they are worn for a few hours, the silk will naturally relax into the knots and the hang becomes attractive. If the strand is knotted too loosely, that natural relaxation process will cause the pearls to be too loose on the thread which will become soiled and frayed much more quickly. A strand that is worn regularly will need to be re-strung approximately every year but you can judge the timing by looking at the thread to see if it has become soiled or the pearls are wiggling between the knots.

It sounds like you have a strand from out of Japan after WWII and during the reconstruction. Graduated strands were very popular with American servicemen and more readily available than a uniform size strand due to the limited availability of pearls at that time. It was much easier to match a graduated strand of pearls than all uniform sizes until years later when the industry was stronger again and more production was in place. Wearing the pearls is very good for them since they are porous and the natural oils are beneficial to keeping them from becoming brittle. Do beware however about any soft of chemical exposure to the pearls such as hairspray, sun block, perfumes, even chlorine in tap water. Should they be exposed to anything like this, wipe them off with a soft cloth like diaper cloth or t-shirt to clean the surface. One other caveat about pearls in general is not to keep them in an airtight container for any length of time such as a safe or safety deposit box. It may seem counter-intuitive but by preventing the pearls from getting exposure to the moisture in the air, they will become brittle and the surface will turn chalky. The damage from either of those issues is permanent with no recourse and since your pearls are not only lovely, but have sentimental value as well, I wanted to give you that information to help you protect them and keep them lovely for years to come.

We do offer restringing services at Pearl Paradise but you would need to ship the pearls to us. If you feel more comfortable having them restrung locally and have a reputable jeweler you trust, most will offer that service as well. Should you have no recommendation for a local shop, you might call a high-end jeweler and ask for their recommendation for a stringer.

Rina Limor

Q: Dear Pearl Paradise I was wondering if you do custom work. The reason I ask is that I saw a necklace sold at Michael C. Fina (designed by Rina Limor) that I would like to simulate. The piece is a 3 strand pearl necklace with diamond-accented dividers and a removable larger pearl pendant. It retails for $2,500. Any advice you could give me about custom making a piece like this would be so appreciated.

A: We do offer custom design services, and we can very likely replicate the piece you are referring to, but at Pearl Paradise pricing. We will need either photos of the piece or an illustration so that we can determine the price and estimate the time needed to create the item. We will also need to know the type and size of each pearl, the gold color, and diamond weight. Once we have a photo of the piece and that information, we should be able to offer you pricing.

Wish Pearl

Q: I am looking to purchase the pearls that are still in there shell I like the excitement that you get opening them and the surprise of what is in side I am going use them for my own enjoyment do you know where I may purchase them.

A: We do not offer a product like this at Pearl Paradise but are familiar with it. If you would like to find this product, you can probably find it by searching for Wish Pearl on the internet. You should be able to find it that way. You might also check around at some local jewelry stores since this is a popular item at the holidays and they may be available there as well.

10-11mm Pearl Earrings

Q: Hi there, I just want to check on something before I process my order. I'm interested in the Freshadama 10-11 mm earrings in white, but I want to make sure that I can get them in silver overtones since I recently bought my wife a freshadama necklace with the silver overtones. I seem to recall there used to be an overtone selection button, but it isn't there anymore? Please let me know!

A: I checked the inventory and we do have these in silver overtone. We don’t have the overtone choice on the page since they sell so quickly and there is a limited number it’s just not possible to keep track of the overtone in inventory. You can however, indicate your preference in the Special Instructions box below your address information. Just type us a note and we will select the silver overtone for you.

Akoya Pearl Bracelet

Q: I recently bought an 18” stand of Akoya pearls off your website and a bracelet. The pearls are absolutely beautiful; however an 18” strand pearls and the bracelet is a little too big for my girlfriend. I am going to be in LA for a day next month, and if possible to make an appointment to stop by to have the necklace re-strung into a 16” strand and to have a few pearls taken out of the bracelet? Please advise me the best way to have her pearls restrung?

A: We certainly can restring the set for your girlfriend if it is too long. We would also be happy to set up an appointment for you next month. Please do let us know what day you will be in town, however, as we only accept one appointment per day in our showroom.
If you decide you cannot make it in, simply send her pieces back to us along with a little note detailing the customization. We will knot to your desired length and expedite the pearls back to you.

Pearl Overtones

Q: When looking at selecting earrings your site has an option for "overtone". I can't find what that refers to.

A: Overtone refers to subtle differences in the colour of pearls which on white pearls, is most often silver, rose, or ivory. The pearls have a white bodycolour but with slightly differing hues which can be seen on the surface. Silver overtone is a bright, optic white, rose will have just a slight pinky blush on the surface, and ivory is a bit more creamy in colour. The overtone choice is based on personal preference and doesn’t really effect the overall value of the pearls. When selecting the overtone for your purchase, a good rule of thumb is to select the pearls that complimentary to the skin tone. Silver overtone is good for someone with yellow undertones or ruddy skin. Ivory is nice on those with cool skin tones. If the pearls are a gift or for any other reason you aren’t sure of the overtone, rose is the most universally flattering.

There is a page on Pearl Paradise that shows the value factors for grading pearls and examples of these overtones. If you would like to look at those pictures before making your selection, I have included the link to that page below:
http://www.pearlparadise.com/pearlqualityguide2.html

Tahitian Pearl on Man

Q: On your Hollywood page, some of the men look like they are wearing a single-pearl choker of some kind. Am I seeing things? It looks pretty cool, if that is what it is. Can you tell me more?

A: Yes, we do have that piece on the site. I will include the link below directly to the detail page.http://www.pearlparadise.com/detail.aspx?ID=668
That was a piece we designed for a specific international celebrity about 2 years ago and since then, not only have we provided that item to many other celebrities but our company president also wears it every day. Mr. Shepherd has taken to wearing this piece instead of a tie with his button shirts and jackets but it also works great for the jeans and t-shirt look or at the beach with a surfboard.

Gift Wrap

Q: I'm interested in buying your 7 - 7.5mm Akoya Pearly Dangle Diamond Earrings and I have a few questions: 1. Can you have them delivered to my place of business by Wednesday? If so, how much would the shipping be? 2. Can I have them gift wrapped?

A: We can delivery to an address different from your billing address if you prefer. When you order via the website, there are sections for each address preference along side each other. The shipping charges are all flat rate, and are shown at the bottom of each detail page. FedEx 2 day is $15.00 and FedEx Overnight is $20.00. If you place the order by the end of this week there should be no trouble at all getting them to you by Wednesday via either method as we generally ship same day. We also offer a gift wrap service, and your choices of paper are available in check out.

Solara Collection

Q: I love your designs - especially the Solara collection. If I were to buy one of your Solara necklaces, with the screw-off chain enabling you to put a different pearl on the necklace, would you be able to drill a hole in a pearl I have so I could also use that pearl on the Solara necklace?

A: We would be more than happy to drill a pearl you already have to fit on the Solara chain. However there are a few caveats, the pearl needs to be large enough to accommodate the drill size necessary and the type of pearl needs to be either a South Sea or a Freshwater. Akoya pearls tend to be much more delicate and often cannot stand up to a very large drill hole. I spoke with the designer and she indicated the smallest size of pearl we could use is a 10mm. If your pearl fits into these parameters and you would like us to drill it for the Solara, you can send it to our office and we will take care of your pearl for you.

Pearls for Christmas

Q: I have a question. I heard about you guys on a recent radio auction in our area, and looking at your prices I was just wondering if they were marked right. I know it is really early, but I am thinking about Christmas. I've got about $100 to $150 to use for each family member I have, and my mom has always wanted a nice pearl necklace, but I can never find a good one for less than $500. See I work in the oil field so funds are rather slim. If those prices are right, what would you suggest? I know nothing about pearls, and I don't want to ask my mother so she would not have a hint.

A: All the prices you do see listed are correct. Most who visit our Site are pleasantly surprised by our prices if they are aware of typical retail pricing in most jewelry stores. We have a big advantage over our offline competition in that we sell and stock tremendous volume (we have a 1400 cubic foot vault filled with pearls in our Los Angeles showroom). We also own an Akoya pearl farm, and have an interest in an Akoya processing facility. All other pearls that we do not produce ourselves, we either buy directly from pearl farms, or from processing factories.

If you would like a very nice strand of white pearls that would fit well into your budget, I suggest going with pearls from this category:
7-8mm Freshwater Pearls

Our freshwater pearls are all nearly perfect round, very clean, with high luster. Our lowest grade, which is AA+, is of a higher grade than you would find in nearly any jewelry store in the United States

I would also suggest earrings as they will also fit your budget.
Freshwater Pearl Earrings

For a very great price, you can get a really great gift for all the ladies in your family. Each item will come in its own box that is lined in velvet and that is inside a plain white gift box. This way if you want to wrap it or just put a big bow on the box, they will still have no idea what's inside. The items all come with a Romance Card that tells you all about the pearls and the oysters with information on the back about how to take care of them. Each piece will also include a retail valuation appraisal.

Bank Wire

Q: Interested in a pair of Tahitian black pearl stud earrings. Can I wire the money? How long will it take to receive?

A: The most efficient way of place an order is via the website using a credit card, however we can accept checks and money wires. The delivery time will depend on where the item is being shipped and by which method. If you are within the contiguous United States and select either FedEx 2 day or FedEx Overnight is the quickest.
If you would like to place a purchase via money wire, please call us directly for our banking details.

Change Clasp

Q: Is there a way you could replace the gold clasp for a bowtie clasp or a lobster clasp? I'd like a strand of AAA Akoya 22 inch pearls, but do not like the clasp you show in the pictures.

A: We could put a different clasp on a strand for you if you like. We do not have the bowtie clasp any longer but have some others you may like. The lobster claw would be a very easy one to manage for you in either white or yellow gold. This would not be a standard item, so we will need to input the order for you on our end. We are available during regular business hours of 9am to 6pm Monday through Friday.

Romance

Q: I want to order the South Seas pearl earrings with the Gold color. They have a small diamond and a lever back. I want to order the 12mm size. I was confused by the description when you called it a white golden South Seas pearl. I don’t want white. Please let me know which color it is.

A: Actually, what you are seeing there is a choice of white gold or yellow gold for the setting. Some of our customers prefer white gold so we have the choice of either yellow or white gold available. If you are looking at the page with a golden pearl in the photo and the item number is GSE-Romance then you are on the correct page for the Golden South Sea dangle with a small diamond at the top of the pearl. Simply select the size of pearl you would like and the color of the gold and we will make them for your order as you request.

Certificates

Q: I am a studio jeweler and as such buy pearls w/o clasp and temporarily strung. I'm interested in both the black freshwater pearls in your offer and the white "freshadama" w/earrings. GiA cert will show that the pearls are undyed and have nacre thickness indicated? If so, I'd like to order a sample strand of each. I'd prefer not to order on line, but by phone. I have very good JBT rating.

A: The Freshadama strands are available on the temporary strings and the earring pearls unset if you prefer. The Appraisal that comes with each item is not a GIA Certification, it is simply a replacement value appraisal. All black freshwater pearls are colour treated as freshwater pearls do not naturally occur in black. The white, pink, and lavender freshadama pearls, however, are not color treated. The certificate does not indicate nacre thickness either. This is not considered a value factor when dealing with freshwater pearls, as freshwater pearls are tissue nucleated, not bead nucleated. This means that they are solid nacre, so the depth is 100%. You can give us a call in the office to place your order if you prefer, we are available during regular business hours.

9-10mm Tahitian Pearl Necklace

Q: I am looking to purchase an 18-inch 9-10mm (or so) round Tahitian pearl necklace, AAA with no blemishes and the peacock overtones. Can you help me?

A: We would be delighted to create the perfect Tahitian strand for you. We have quite a number of Tahitian necklaces listed on our Site. Several of our current strands fall within the size range and quality mentioned. If none of the listed strands are exactly what you are looking for, please let me know. We personally match and drill every Tahitian necklace we carry, so we can match the piece you are looking for exactly to your specifications. Then, we can simply take a sample photograph for you before drilling.
I should also mention that because we create Tahitian necklaces on a weekly basis, even if we custom create this strand for you it will still be covered by our 90-day money back, satisfaction gaurantee.
Available Tahitian Strands

South Sea Rondelle

Q: I would like to purchase the strand WSNCAR 164 with the diamond rondelles option WSS18R. The strand has 43 pearls, and I would like a diamond rondelle between every three pearls. Is this possible, and also how much approximately would this cost. Would it be less than a rondelle between every pearl, as shown in the model. Also, what is your refund policy.

A: Unfortunately, that particular strand sold just last night. In answer to your question generally however, we would be able to put rondelles on any of our South Sea strands in a configuration of your choice. Each diamond rondelle is priced at $60.00, so you can determine the number of rondelles and the placement as you like. We have made these strands with a rondelle every third pearl, every other pearl across the front of the strand only, every fifth pearl, etc. Please check the page to see if there is another strand you might like instead and we would be happy to help you with this rondelle piece.
White South Sea Pearl Necklaces
Our return policy is 90 days from the date of purchase.

Shipping Method

Q: Hi, I found my way to your (fantastic, btw) website via pearl-guide.com's forums. I recently created an account on your site. I am very interested in purchasing a Tahitian pearl pendant (TAP-Classic or TAP-Romance), and perhaps also a corresponding pair of Tahitian pearl earrings (TAE-Classic). Based on your experience w/ shipping transit times, could you recommend the most economical shipping method that would still enable receipt of the shipment to zip code 19067 (Yardley, PA) by next Friday? Your least expensive shipping options ($6.50) list 3-5 day transit times and would probably be sufficient, but if it's recommended to go with the next faster shipping method to achieve my desired receipt date, I'll do that instead. Any info you could provide would be much appreciated. Thanks, and great work w/ your website and your company. Looking forward to doing business with you soon.

A: We are so pleased you found our Site and we look forward to serving you.
USPS would likely get the package to you in plenty of time, but for you peace of mind may I suggest FedEx 2nd Day service. This will guarantee you receive your pearls with ample time to spare. Also, you will be able to track the package to your front door in case you need to intercept a gift.

Baroque Tahitian Pearl Necklace

Q: I am interested in purchasing a Tahitian baroque pearl necklace as a gift for my wife, but I have little experience with pearls. I think the baroque pearls are interesting. Are baroque pearls generally regarded as poorer quality than the round pearls? Is that the a picture of the actual necklace? Do the baroque necklaces have a "costume" look to them? Which clasp would you recommend? It is hard to tell from the picture whether a gold or white gold clasp would look better?

A: Baroque pearls do have a lower point point than round pearls, however many people do like them a great deal since they are unique and have a natural beauty all their own - definitely not a costume look. Also, a lower price point does not necessarily mean poor quality. The pearls are simply not as highly valued on shape.

The photos on the Site are of the actual strand you would be purchasing. Each of the exotic strands are photographed and specked individually, and have their own tag number for identification (the last 3 digits of the SKU number). So when you order the strand you like from the Site, you receive the strand you see.

Most of our customers select a white gold clasp because it coordinates in a pleasing manner with most of the overtones of Tahitian pearls. However, if you select a strand with more rose or aubergine overtones, the yellow gold is a very rich, luxurious alternative. Still, your best bet would most likely be the white gold.

Delivery of Earrings

Q: Hello, I wonder how soon will you be able to ship the below product if I order tomorrow? I wonder because I want it to be delivered on the certain date for birthday gift.

8.0 to 13.0mm AAA Tahitian Pearl Dangle Diamond Earrings TAE-Glimmer.

A: In most cases our earring orders are shipped the same day as long as the order is received by mid-afternoon Pacific Time. At the latest they would ship the following business day. We do have the Glimmer style earrings in stock so it will not be a problem to ship these for you on Friday, May 4 if you place the order today.

Tahitian freshwater and South Sea

Q: I am looking for a very specific necklace that combines Tahitian pearls with freshwater and South Sea pearls. Do you carry anything like this on your Website? Iridesse carries something like this but I figured your prices should be much better.
Oh, and I only want natural colors.

A: I know exactly the pieces you are describing. They are beautiful indeed. Although we do not have these necklaces listed on our Site, it would be very simple for us to match the exact color rage with freshwater, Tahitian, and South Sea that you are looking for. We have made similar pieces in the past utilizing our freshadama freshwater pearls.

As for pricing, every piece will vary. But I have checked the Iridesse.com Website, and you can expect our price to be less than half, and our pearls will be of gem quality.

We only sell untreated South Sea and Tahitian pearls, so we guarantee natural coloration. Other than our treated black freshwater pearls, all of our fancy color freshwaters (pink and lavender) are natural as well.

Return Pearls

Q: I purchased this item a few weeks ago: order xxxx SPE-Classic Pair of AA+ or AAA White Akoya Pearl Dangle Earrings Ranging from 6.0-6.5mm to 8.5-9.0mm Choose Your Goldwork : 14K Yellow Gold Choose Your Overtone : Ivory Choose Your Size : 8.5-9.0mm AAA (SPE322). Is this considered a custom item for return purposes? Although the are beautiful, my wife is not able to wear these earrings due to the clasp not fitting her ears correctly, so I would like to return.

A: These are not a custom order item so you can return them without issue. If you would like to either exchange the earrings or return them outright, simply send them back to the address on the invoice with a copy of the invoice with a note indicating what action you would like us to take and we will be happy to oblige.