Tahitian pearls - Vendor vs. IRL pictures

[Siameseroo]

Siameseroo, I love your studs, they look fabulous on your ear.

Thank you!

 

[D2B]

thank you Siamessero - is it difficult to make your own? Would I need a lot of tools to set up? apologies for the questions but I love love your necklace and would like to give it a go. How did you learn?

 

[Siameseroo]

It's really easy but takes a lot of practice, practice, practice! Best to start off with some cheap beads and craft wire until you get the hang of it and are making nice round loops. I first learnt to wire wrap at a local jewellery making workshop but many members here are self-taught. There is a lot of info available on the internet.

Tools:

Pliers: I have this set https://www.riogrande.com/Product/Swanstrom-Pliers-Set/111703

Although it's handy to have a set you probably don't need all of these, maybe 1x round nose pliers (I like the micro/long ones for small loops) and 1x chain nose pliers. Some people swear by bent nose pliers, I don't personally have one.

Flush/super flush cutters: I have a cheap pair that look something like this https://www.riogrande.com/Product/Swanstrom-Super-Flush-Cutters/111305

Wire: I used sterling silver wire for my tin cup and you can also use gold fill or 14k gold. But suggest you buy some cheap craft wire to practice with first. I usually use 24 gauge wire but also have 22. Gauge = wire thickness, what works best for you will depend on pearl size/hole size, chain size, length of piece etc.

Sterling silver: https://www.riogrande.com/Product/sterling-silver-round-wire-24-ga-12-hard/100354

Craft wire: https://www.riogrande.com/Product/b...ries-49-strand-silver-color-wire-10-ft/635565

Chain:

I usually use rolo or figaro chain, anything with enough space inside the links to wire wrap through. I work with 1.5 to 2.2mm chains but this really comes down to personal preference.

https://www.riogrande.com/Product/argentium-silver-2mm-rolo-chain-by-the-foot/613706B

Clasp:

I usually use lobster clasps for tin cups. And these are super handy to use on the other end:

https://www.riogrande.com/Product/sterling-silver-bead-attach-ring/693400

Tutorials:

Google wire wrapping beads and how to make a tin cup. Here are a couple of links:

How to wire wrap a bead/make loops: http://www.firemountaingems.com/resources/videos/652t

How to set up/assemble tin cup:
http://artisimportant.com/reference/TinCup.pdf

Okay I'm done editing!

 

[Siameseroo]

9-11mm near round/oval multicoloured Tahitians from Cees at Amsterdam Pearls!

Cees' photos:


My photos - taken in the office.





And outside on a cloudy day



Indoors, natural filtered light only

 

[bright ice]

9-11mm near round/oval multicoloured Tahitians from Cees at Amsterdam Pearls!

Cees' photos:


My photos - taken in the office.





And outside on a cloudy day



Indoors, natural filtered light only

Those are HEAVENLY!!! They look like fantastic quality.

 

[baby monster]

Fab strand Siameseroo. Looks great on your neck.

 

[baby nurse]

What a find, Siameseroo! I LOVE these.

 

[Sagebrush]

Here are three pearls with exceptionally smooth skin, wonderful symmetry, lustre and distinct overtones. Nacre thickness 2.8mm. Professionally photographed in artificial light.

 

[mtsapphirelovingannie]

I'm referring to this thread as I consider a purchase and again realize how helpful it is. Therefore, I wanted to add a purchase from earlier in the year to help others.

I bought a 8 to 10mm AAA multicolor Tahitian Necklace from PP earlier this year. I think PP's picture match reality. I'm providing the website shot and two pictures PP sent me. I had several inches added to the strand.

 

[Siameseroo]

Annie they are stunning!! More photos please. And neck shots!

 

[katbran]

annie - are any of those your photos ?

 

[mtsapphirelovingannie]

Thank you Siameseroo.

katbran, in my previous post the bottom photo is mine.

Here are a few more that I took:

 

[Sagebrush]

Exceptional images! The photographer has done a particularly good job of capturing the pearls' lustre and overtones.

RWW

 

[YC]

Bought this pair of loose 12.3mm tahitian pearls from Cees. In the vendor's photos, these are the pair at the bottom right hand corner. Photo at the bottom is my photo. I think his photography is pretty accurate in terms of the overtones.

 

[redwood66]

I will add my Cees pearls bought this summer to this thread. He is awesome and I love these pearls but have not had the time to string them yet. I will get to it. They are 11-13.8mm and he calls them round-ish. I LOVE the big blue pearl!!

Vendor pic


My pics

 

[canuk-gal]

I will add my Cees pearls bought this summer to this thread. He is awesome and I love these pearls but have not had the time to string them yet. I will get to it. They are 11-13.8mm and he calls them round-ish. I LOVE the big blue pearl!!

Vendor pic


My pics

OHMIGOD STUNNING!

 

[mtsapphirelovingannie]

Redwood, your strand is beautiful!

 

[katbran]

Beautiful pearls ! Everyone...they are all stunning multicoloured pearls !!

 

[marionberry]

I *might* have found some inspiration in previous posts here
I just got my Tahitian drops from Amsterdam Pearls. I was looking for smooth drops and Cees found me some gorgeous 8 to 11 mm ones.
I adore the colour changes hugging all those curves and slopes!

Vendor pics (really accurate, also: Look at all the beauties that I didn't pick somebody get them!):


My own attempts at capturing their beauty (*the pearl colours are less warm, more like Cees' pics in real life*):






My new necklace (prototype )


I am very happy with these guys. Drops might be my favourite pearl shape, and having them drilled 'by the neck' is perfection to me.

 

[mtsapphirelovingannie]

Beautiful pearls marionberry. I like your necklace design!

 

[Heart2pearls]

9-11mm near round/oval multicoloured Tahitians from Cees at Amsterdam Pearls!

Cees' photos:


My photos - taken in the office.





And outside on a cloudy day



Indoors, natural filtered light only

WOW Gorgeous What length is your strand? I am waiting for Jeremy to go in HG in March to hunt for my treasure.

 

[Siameseroo]

WOW Gorgeous What length is your strand? I am waiting for Jeremy to go in HG in March to hunt for my treasure.

Thank you! It was around 16” unstrung and 18” once knotted.

 

[marionberry]

Bought this pair of loose 12.3mm tahitian pearls from Cees. In the vendor's photos, these are the pair at the bottom right hand corner. Photo at the bottom is my photo. I think his photography is pretty accurate in terms of the overtones.

Did you get your gorgeous pair set already? Such a sumptuous size!

 

[YC]

Did you get your gorgeous pair set already? Such a sumptuous size!

Marionberry, I have yet to set these. I am torn between setting as studs or dangling earrings. Currently favouring the latter as I have plenty of stud earrings. I will post the pictures when they are set, hopefully pretty soon.

 

[marionberry]

Cannot wait to see! I have a similar pair otw ... and I want dangling earrings for sure ... amybe with a gemstone accent?

 

[MiriamS]

I think this thread is a wonderful way to help set expectations when looking through vendors' photos.
I would like to add some of my own, from my very favorite vendor, Bob at Pearl Society on Ebay.

First up are three pendants that I purchased to test the waters:

(I do not have the original listing photo for the dark round tahitian)

I asked Cheyenne Weil from Etsy to make an octopus setting for the drop pearl. Her photos capture the true colors of the pearl:


My next purchase was two strands of light colored Tahitians that Bob strung into a single necklace:

 

[MiriamS]

Here are two strands of circled Tahitians that I strung into a long rope. Vendor photos are on top and the completed necklace on the bottom.

I was also going to add this strand to the rope but I liked it so much that I kept it as is:
Vendor Photo My photo

 

[MiriamS]

My latest purchase was a multicolor string of round Tahitians, 13 -15mm. First is the vendor photo:


And my photo

I want to add that Bob has always given me good advice and truthful opinions, even when it meant not making a sale. I cannot recommend him highly enough.
Thanks for looking!

 

[cmd2014]

I like Pearl Society too. Your strands are beautiful. Makes me want to go look....

 

[marionberry]

Not from Tahiti but Fiji: 2 Super cute little Keshis, silvery rose and vivid green from J. Hunter:
I have a matching pair of tourmalines otw and cannot wait to team them up for earrings.



Pretty accurate to the picture I was sent before buying - I guess the Fijian sun tickles out a tad more color saturation than my middle European one today :



PS.: tourmaline pair. Eeeeek!