shape
carat
color
clarity

Tahitian pearls - Vendor vs. IRL pictures

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

Cees' photos:
9113.jpg 9112.jpg

My photos - taken in the office.

IMG_9609.JPG
IMG_9611.JPG
IMG_9601.JPG

And outside on a cloudy day

IMG_9621.JPG IMG_9623.JPG IMG_9625.JPG

Indoors, natural filtered light only

IMG_9692.JPG
 
9-11mm near round/oval multicoloured Tahitians from Cees at Amsterdam Pearls!

Cees' photos:
9113.jpg 9112.jpg

My photos - taken in the office.

IMG_9609.JPG
IMG_9611.JPG
IMG_9601.JPG

And outside on a cloudy day

IMG_9621.JPG IMG_9623.JPG IMG_9625.JPG

Indoors, natural filtered light only

IMG_9692.JPG

Those are HEAVENLY!!! They look like fantastic quality.
 
Fab strand Siameseroo:love:. Looks great on your neck.
 
What a find, Siameseroo! I LOVE these.
 
Here are three pearls with exceptionally smooth skin, wonderful symmetry, lustre and distinct overtones. Nacre thickness 2.8mm. Professionally photographed in artificial light. image143.jpg
 
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.
pp-tmulti-add-wholepic.PNG
pp-tmulti-whole.PNG
pp-multi-extrapearls.PNG
IMG_1710 (2).JPG
 
Annie they are stunning!! More photos please. And neck shots!
 
annie - are any of those your photos ?
 
Exceptional images! The photographer has done a particularly good job of capturing the pearls' lustre and overtones.

RWW
 
IMG-20171016-WA0005.jpg 20171102_143031.jpg

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.
 
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
cees.jpg

My pics

cees1.jpg
cees2.jpg
cees3.jpg
 
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
cees.jpg

My pics

cees1.jpg
cees2.jpg
cees3.jpg
:appl:

OHMIGOD STUNNING!
 
Beautiful pearls ! Everyone...they are all stunning multicoloured pearls !!
 
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!):
Screen Shot 2017-12-15 at 14.35.49.png Screen Shot 2017-12-15 at 14.36.00.png

My own attempts at capturing their beauty (*the pearl colours are less warm, more like Cees' pics in real life*):
Screen Shot 2018-01-05 at 23.53.16.png

Screen Shot 2018-01-05 at 23.53.30.png

Screen Shot 2018-01-05 at 23.53.25.png

My new necklace (prototype ;-) )
Screen Shot 2018-01-05 at 23.53.50.png

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.
 

Attachments

  • col1.jpg
    col1.jpg
    131 KB · Views: 25
Beautiful pearls marionberry. I like your necklace design!
 
9-11mm near round/oval multicoloured Tahitians from Cees at Amsterdam Pearls!

Cees' photos:
9113.jpg 9112.jpg

My photos - taken in the office.

IMG_9609.JPG
IMG_9611.JPG
IMG_9601.JPG

And outside on a cloudy day

IMG_9621.JPG IMG_9623.JPG IMG_9625.JPG

Indoors, natural filtered light only

IMG_9692.JPG
WOW Gorgeous :love: What length is your strand? I am waiting for Jeremy to go in HG in March to hunt for my treasure.
 
WOW Gorgeous :love: 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.
 
IMG-20171016-WA0005.jpg 20171102_143031.jpg

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

(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:
Octopus.JPG

My next purchase was two strands of light colored Tahitians that Bob strung into a single necklace:
LPLongdrops.JPG
IMG_1911.JPG
 
LPLongCircles.JPG IMG_1909.JPG
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:
LPShortCircles.JPG Vendor PhotoIMG_1913.JPG My photo
 
Last edited:
My latest purchase was a multicolor string of round Tahitians, 13 -15mm. First is the vendor photo:
ListingPhotoRounds.JPG

And my photo
IMG_1910.JPG
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!
 
I like Pearl Society too. Your strands are beautiful. Makes me want to go look....
 
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.

Screen Shot 2018-04-04 at 11.25.06.png

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 ;) :

Screen Shot 2018-04-04 at 11.27.48.png

PS.: tourmaline pair. Eeeeek!
May12TourmalinePair.gif
 
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Top