Have you ever shopped for real pearl necklace?

I am thinking of buying one for the wedding, where do I start and how much do the A, AA, and AAA ratings matter, same as with diamonds or less?

Re: Have you ever shopped for real pearl necklace?

There was just a story about buying pearls on Dateline or one of those news shows. It was really informative.

There is no standard for pearls like there are for diamonds. The ratings are by some Japanese store (I think it's called Mikimoto) who is very reputable, but very expensive. A lot of shady sellers claim that the pearls are rated by an international standard or Mikimoto standards, but according to the show it's just not true.

They had a producer buy pearls from two places in the diamond district in the city, and while they were told they were perfect pearls, when another producer tried to sell them back, they told her they were poor quality. Then the show had two gemologists look at them who told her the same thing, she was taken.

The two gemologists that they interviewed said that the most important thing to look for is luster of the pearls, uniform size, roundness and that the pearls have a smooth surface. They shouldn't have lots of pits in them. They said it's very important to have the jeweler put in writing all of these qualities (ie - stand of pearls that measure 6mm, etc.) and will take them back if an independant appraiser says that they aren't what the jeweler said they are.

Hope that helps!

Re: Have you ever shopped for real pearl necklace?

I have never done the shopping but my husband did for a wedding gift for me. He did a lot of searching. Some things to consider:

a) They are very very expensive (more than I ever thought they would be) Price is dependent on a number of factors including size, shape, color, luster, etc..

b) Even the BEST pearls look just like great simulates (fakes)

c) To ensure they last a lifetime you have to be very careful with them. The oils from human skin damage them so you must clean them after wearing them everytime. You also have to have the restrung every so many years to prevent breakage.

I guess my point is: they are a lot of trouble and expense so make sure you are ready for the responsiblity of having good pearls.

Re: Have you ever shopped for real pearl necklace?

My husband purchased my Mikimoto pearls as a wedding gift to me. He said the salespeople told him the same things [that Stef said wrote] about caring for the pearls.
If you need more info on how helpful they were to deal with, I can ask him - just send me a forum mail.

Re: Have you ever shopped for real pearl necklace?

How do you clean them?

Re: Have you ever shopped for real pearl necklace?

Dateline just did a big story on jewerly scams involving Pearls. There is NO universal rating/grading system so many jewlers will say that a set is AAA, but in reality it is AAA only in their stores. You have to go to a reputable place. Go on Tiffany's site and get info on buying pearls. You don't have to buy from them, but they are great for educating yourself.

Re: Have you ever shopped for real pearl necklace?

i have real black pearls & i love them they were bought from a very reputable source

Re: Have you ever shopped for real pearl necklace?

In my hunt for a 3 tiered pearl choker I stumbled across this site.. hope it helps!

http://www.americanpearl.com/americanpearl/howtopurpear.html

Re: Have you ever shopped for real pearl necklace?

Hey girls:

Thank you all for your help...

I have a few more questions:

Sonicstef: based on your advice, it seems that had your necklace not been bought by your husband, you wouldn't have considered its worth the price/trouble to purchase real pearls, is that so? Also, my mom has freshwater pearls which isn't the same as sea pearls, that she brought with her from USSR, doesn't clean them, had them forever, I restrung them a few years ago, and they seem to look ok, any idea why? Or maybe the freshwater kind don't need to be cleaned as often?

I am still confused about grading, marcella's link seems to suggest that GIA does do grading for pearls, so I am really confused

Where does one go to purchase pearls? Been to Macy's a few days ago, but based on my experience with diamonds with them, I wouldn't purchase pearls there (Macy's 34th street told me that they don't sell the Tiffany quality of diamonds - i.e. that kind of clarity, grade, etc).

Based on the prices that I have seen online and at Macy's, I am not sure I can splurge on pearls right now, although I was really looking toward wearing something at the wedding and have it as a keepsake and wear it after the wedding too.

My e-ring jeweler specializes in diamonds/wedding jewelry and I am not sure that they would have pearl necklaces, will check when we go get our bands.

So the question is, what is a reputable source for purchasing pearls?

Thank you so much for advice
Alina