Choosing 10.5-11mm Loose Pearl

[newtojewels]

I'm new to big pearls and so far have only had a handful of Akoyas and one tiny keshi bracelet!

@winnietucker posted this super cute 18k rose gold ring in another thread and I'm looking for pearl options to help me make the decision on whether or not to buy it. The ring would need to be resized (up around half a size for my ring finger -- sadly I'm knuckly so I can't just fudge it -- and up 1.5-2 sizes for my index and middle fingers). I might also want the engraving to be rehabbed and I don't want to spend a crazy amount on the project since I don't even know how I would feel about a giant pearl ring on me. I do have huge hands and a desk job which at least seems like a promising start. If I go for it, I want a pearl that feels worthy of being highlighted in a massive ring and the current one doesn't seem like it is, but I don't want to spend a ton on a really top top pearl. I'm looking for a reasonable middle ground up to ~$200 on the pearl.

Ring setting:




Options for pearls:
1) leave it alone!
2) 10.5-11mm Freshadama for $210. This is the only photo I have right now but I think enough people here have seen Freshadamas even if I haven't....


from CMW pearls:
3) 11mm "top quality" purple for $150. Looks pretty in the photo but would it be super dark in real life? https://cmwpearls.com/collections/l...an-pearl/products/tahitian-pearl-single-lp959

4) 10.6mm "top luster" AAA peacock for $180. Love the luster, unsure on the color and blemishes: https://cmwpearls.com/collections/l...n-pearl/products/tahitian-pearl-single-lp1583

5) 10.5mm "light peacock" AAA for $115. This is the one that appeals to me most as a color in the photos but maybe it would just read as a steel ball in real life? https://cmwpearls.com/collections/l...n-pearl/products/tahitian-pearl-single-lp1509

Can anyone think of other places to look for other options? Any thoughts on these choices?

Thank you!

 

[newtojewels]

Adding some inspiration photos:

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I'm new to big pearls and so far have only had a handful of Akoyas and one tiny keshi bracelet!

@winnietucker posted this super cute 18k rose gold ring in another thread and I'm looking for pearl options to help me make the decision on whether or not to buy it. The ring would need to be resized (up around half a size for my ring finger -- sadly I'm knuckly so I can't just fudge it -- and up 1.5-2 sizes for my index and middle fingers). I might also want the engraving to be rehabbed and I don't want to spend a crazy amount on the project since I don't even know how I would feel about a giant pearl ring on me. I do have huge hands and a desk job which at least seems like a promising start. If I go for it, I want a pearl that feels worthy of being highlighted in a massive ring and the current one doesn't seem like it is, but I don't want to spend a ton on a really top top pearl. I'm looking for a reasonable middle ground up to ~$200 on the pearl.

Ring setting:




Options for pearls:
1) leave it alone!
2) 10.5-11mm Freshadama for $210. This is the only photo I have right now but I think enough people here have seen Freshadamas even if I haven't....


from CMW pearls:
3) 11mm "top quality" purple for $150. Looks pretty in the photo but would it be super dark in real life? https://cmwpearls.com/collections/l...an-pearl/products/tahitian-pearl-single-lp959

4) 10.6mm "top luster" AAA peacock for $180. Love the luster, unsure on the color and blemishes: https://cmwpearls.com/collections/l...n-pearl/products/tahitian-pearl-single-lp1583

5) 10.5mm "light peacock" AAA for $115. This is the one that appeals to me most as a color in the photos but maybe it would just read as a steel ball in real life? https://cmwpearls.com/collections/l...n-pearl/products/tahitian-pearl-single-lp1509

Can anyone think of other places to look for other options? Any thoughts on these choices?

Thank you

anything happening with this ?

 

[Pearlescence]

Avoid any setting which does not cradle the pearl (the leaves one above does). I see many rings where the pearl is being held just by a peg. They look very dramatic and designery but they will soon fail due to metal fatigue. A peg on its own is simply not going to hold a big pearl in the long or even medium term. Every bump of the pearl will weaken it until it breaks.
Consider also a button pearl if you want less protrusion but still big impact. A button can be round or it can be baroque.

 

[newtojewels]

@Daisys and Diamonds

I got the other giant pearl ring instead! https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/mikimoto-tahitian-ring-advice-with-photos.284244/