Who knows the worth of Orient pearls?

[rolanni]

On my sixteenth birthday, it having been the fashion when she turned sixteen, my maternal grandmother gave me a string of white cultured pearls.

I hated it. I thought,in fact,that it was creepy, every single pearl in the string exactly the same as the ones on either side of it. It was explained to me that this was "grown-up" jewelery and that I would soon come to appreciate the gift for what it was; that the pearl string would become the necklace I reached for first and wore most often.

Sadly, this never happened, which doubtless says volumes about my psyche (ooh! shiny!), and eventually I gave the pearls to a friend who adored them, and who treated them as they deserved.

Several years ago, I came into ownership of a pair of white cultured pearl studs, which I wear pretty often -- they're comfortable earrings, and there are only two of them, so I don't experience the squick that facing 24 identical clones strung shoulder-to-shoulder engenders.

I enjoy my pearl earrings enough that I was motivated to click when a link to this site went past me.

I've been looking at the first three (left to right) pairs of earrings since November, I guess. I like that the pearls are irregular and don't necessarily match. But, having deliberately cut myself off from the Fine Life, I'm confused about "freshwater" pearls and, subsequently, if the prices being asked are anywhere near reasonable.

Anyone care to undertake a quick Pearl Tutorial?

Comments

From a non-expert

[doushkasmum.livejournal.com]

Based on purchasing freshwater pearls from a friend who imports them, I would say those prices are quite high. Baroque pearls are usually cheaper than round, as they are more common. I would think a reasonable price for the "puddle" earrings would be closer to $50. I freely admit, however, that I am not an expert. An expert might tell you that there is something special about these that makes them more valuable but I think the jeweler has high prices because it makes people think the stuff is worth more.