first Pearl purchase “budget friendly” studs

[LightBright]

Hi, Newbie here… I’m considering getting Pearl studs for my every day earrings. Interested now because of the holiday sales going on.

Can you recommend a vendor and type of Pearl? What’s the best “bang for the buck” for studs, so to speak.

I’m thinking 8.5mm White tone Pearl for a starter stud. Can I approximate an Akoya look with a certain type and grade of freshwater pearl? I want something classy, classic that I won’t outgrow when I discover “better pearls” too soon. Should I start with a lower grade Akoya for something I want to wear happily for a while (a staple)?

Imperfections and blemishes don’t bother me. I’m looking for surface luster, classic wardrobe piece, and wow factor. Thank you!

 

[dk168]

Personally, I would opt for gem quality Cultured Freshwater Pearls (CFWP), and would get Pearl Paradise's (PP) Freshsadama line.

One can always upgrade to bigger and/or better quality pearls at a later date.

DK

 

[LightBright]

Personally, I would opt for gem quality Cultured Freshwater Pearls (CFWP), and would get Pearl Paradise's (PP) Freshsadama line.

One can always upgrade to bigger and/or better quality pearls at a later date.

DK

Thank you! I looked at that Pearl Pardise line last night but was a little confused about specific type to buy. Do I order AAA or AAAA freshadamas?

For a starter pair do you think 8.5mm or even bigger?

Regarding the White color Pearl, is it the most frequently bought? The most universal? I have light skin that is both yellowish and pinkish.

 

[newtojewels]

I think this is probably the pair to get in whatever size seems right to you, they're a great "bang for the buck" choice according to many PSers: https://www.pearlparadise.com/colle...ite-freshadama-freshwater-pearl-stud-earrings

But contact them first so you can request a specific overtone and see photos of the exact pair you're getting. I'm quite pale and pinkish and strongly prefer my silver overtone but pinked Akoyas to my natural white Akoyas.

Another option is "gem quality" Akoyas from Takahashi, but they wouldn't be returnable. These are my pinked pair: https://www.instagram.com/takahashi_pearl_co.ltd/?hl=en

or to work with Moline, my natural whites are from him: https://www.instagram.com/molinepearls/

8.5mm would be too big for me as studs but I have tiny earlobes. I know @dk168 likes larger studs. My 8-8.5mm pair from Takahashi is set into hoops, I think you can see it would overwhelm my mini lobes as studs:

 

[pearlsngems]

Thank you! I looked at that Pearl Pardise line last night but was a little confused about specific type to buy. Do I order AAA or AAAA freshadamas?

For a starter pair do you think 8.5mm or even bigger?

Regarding the White color Pearl, is it the most frequently bought? The most universal? I have light skin that is both yellowish and pinkish.

Are you sure you were on Pearl Paradise website? Because Frehsadama is the grade-- there is no AAA Freshadama or AAAA Freshadama.

As to size, it really depends on what your feel comfortable with. I have large ear lobes and can wear much larger studs. But I also like 8mm size studs.
Are you on the phone a lot? larger studs may be less comfortable then.

 

[dk168]

Thank you! I looked at that Pearl Pardise line last night but was a little confused about specific type to buy. Do I order AAA or AAAA freshadamas?

For a starter pair do you think 8.5mm or even bigger?

Regarding the White color Pearl, is it the most frequently bought? The most universal? I have light skin that is both yellowish and pinkish.

Eh? Freshadama is PP's own line of gem-quality CFWP, AAA and AAAA are not Freshies!

Pearls come in many different colours.

If you are starting on your pearl journey, then yes, I would advise getting a pair of white pearl earrings.

Like paint, there are a number of shades of whites. I prefer silver white instead of rose white for example.

Rather than buying online, it might be advisable for you to visit a B&M/mall jewellery stall to have a look at and try on the different pearls on offer, for size as well as colour etc., before making a purchase.

DK

 

[LightBright]

Are you sure you were on Pearl Paradise website? Because Frehsadama is the grade-- there is no AAA Freshadama or AAAA Freshadama.

As to size, it really depends on what your feel comfortable with. I have large ear lobes and can wear much larger studs. But I also like 8mm size studs.
Are you on the phone a lot? larger studs may be less comfortable then.

Thank you! I am/was conflating two different sites/two different brands . I maybe saw that at Pearl Source?

I’m 100% new to this, having seen a pair of Akoya studs somewhere else and thinking woooow!!

I’d like to make an educated choice if I get pearl studs. Because there’s clearly a difference between the pearls I see on pricescope (and the two Pearl vendors I’m looking at) and the Pearl studs I’ve encountered in the wild which have chalky dull surfaces and look unimpressive.

 

[LightBright]

I think this is probably the pair to get in whatever size seems right to you, they're a great "bang for the buck" choice according to many PSers: https://www.pearlparadise.com/colle...ite-freshadama-freshwater-pearl-stud-earrings

But contact them first so you can request a specific overtone and see photos of the exact pair you're getting. I'm quite pale and pinkish and strongly prefer my silver overtone but pinked Akoyas to my natural white Akoyas.

Another option is "gem quality" Akoyas from Takahashi, but they wouldn't be returnable. These are my pinked pair: https://www.instagram.com/takahashi_pearl_co.ltd/?hl=en

or to work with Moline, my natural whites are from him: https://www.instagram.com/molinepearls/

8.5mm would be too big for me as studs but I have tiny earlobes. I know @dk168 likes larger studs. My 8-8.5mm pair from Takahashi is set into hoops, I think you can see it would overwhelm my mini lobes as studs:

Thank you! I appreciate all the detailed education as I’m clueless. I will check out the links. Your pearls are a stunning color.

I have tinier earlobes than you so your advice on size is well taken.

 

[LightBright]

Eh? Freshadama is PP's own line of gem-quality CFWP, AAA and AAAA are not Freshies!

Pearls come in many different colours.

If you are starting on your pearl journey, then yes, I would advise getting a pair of white pearl earrings.

Like paint, there are a number of shades of whites. I prefer silver white instead of rose white for example.

Rather than buying online, it might be advisable for you to visit a B&M/mall jewellery stall to have a look at and try on the different pearls on offer, for size as well as colour etc., before making a purchase.

DK

Thank you! I appreciate the information. Advice on color is interesting!

 

[newtojewels]

Thank you! I appreciate all the detailed education as I’m clueless. I will check out the links. Your pearls are a stunning color.

I have tinier earlobes than you so your advice on size is well taken.

Well the good news is that pearls are cheap and easy to reset. It's very different from diamonds and colored gems! If you get pearls you love but don't love studs on you, you can easily just get drop settings and vice-versa. And if you're somewhat adventurous, you can actually switch the settings yourself. I used a hand drill to widen the hole on those pearls and then set them myself so my "setting fee" was $15 for the hand drill because I already had reasonable glue I could use.

Do you wear stud earrings in general? If so, what size do you like?

 

[LightBright]

Well the good news is that pearls are cheap and easy to reset. It's very different from diamonds and colored gems! If you get pearls you love but don't love studs on you, you can easily just get drop settings and vice-versa. And if you're somewhat adventurous, you can actually switch the settings yourself. I used a hand drill to widen the hole on those pearls and then set them myself so my "setting fee" was $15 for the hand drill because I already had reasonable glue I could use.

Do you wear stud earrings in general? If so, what size do you like?

I admire your handiness. I’m usually a small earring wearer so I think under 9mm will suit me. I’m also possibly looking for a small dangle design instead of a plain stud. I like your hoops of course.

 

[newtojewels]

I admire your handiness. I’m usually a small earring wearer so I think under 9mm will suit me. I’m also possibly looking for a small dangle design instead of a plain stud. I like your hoops of course.

I like this option for a simple dangle, which is available in many sizes: https://www.pearlparadise.com/produ...e-freshadama-85-90-pearl-and-diamond-earrings



These are the hoops: https://konigjewelry.com/product/pearl-earrings/pearl-earrings-e125--58754/

And I also considered these but I decided the hoops were more fun: https://konigjewelry.com/product/pearl-earrings/pearl-earrings-e710-14mm--57851/

 

[dk168]

I admire your handiness. I’m usually a small earring wearer so I think under 9mm will suit me. I’m also possibly looking for a small dangle design instead of a plain stud. I like your hoops of course.

My 2p.

If you are a small earring wearer, the 9mm pearl studs could be too big for you!

Don't forget round pearls sit quite high on the earlobes due to their shape.

Depending on your hairstyle, shape of your face as well as your ears and earlobes, what might suit and look good on others might not suit you.

For example, I can't wear round pearl studs bigger than 10mm or I would resemble a frog or chameleon.

Hence I would strongly advise for you to visit B&M/mall jewellery stores to try the pearls for size before forking out good money at the likes of PP.

DK

 

[LightBright]

My 2p.

If you are a small earring wearer, the 9mm pearl studs could be too big for you!

Don't forget round pearls sit quite high on the earlobes due to their shape.

Depending on your hairstyle, shape of your face as well as your ears and earlobes, what might suit and look good on others might not suit you.

For example, I can't wear round pearl studs bigger than 10mm or I would resemble a frog or chameleon.

Hence I would strongly advise for you to visit B&M/mall jewellery stores to try the pearls for size before forking out good money at the likes of PP.

DK

Yes, I agree that I should look at size more carefully. I’ve looked some more at earring size in relation to face and the look I want, and I think I should drop to 7-7.5mm or even less since I have very small earlobes and want a delicate look. Thank you for this advice!

 

[newtojewels]

Yes, I agree that I should look at size more carefully. I’ve looked some more at earring size in relation to face and the look I want, and I think I should drop to 7-7.5mm or even less since I have very small earlobes and want a delicate look. Thank you for this advice!

8.5mm would definitely not be delicate on me, at least! And you said your lobes are smaller than mine. I think 7-7.5mm would be about right for me for studs and still wouldn't be delicate, just proportionate. 6-6.5mm for delicate, probably. I can wear huggies with a 4.5mm inner diameter so 8.5mm pearls wouldn't show any lobe below the pearl. I think you need to see a substantial outline of skin for it to look delicate.

Here are some other things to try to help with scale for you if you don't have a local store where you can try pearls on:

7.5-8mm natural white Akoyas, I think these huggies have a 9mm inner diameter. You can see that as studs these would basically take up the whole area below the piercing and not show much lobe:


8mm diameter at the widest point studs:

 

[newtojewels]

Adding that the good news with tiny earlobes is that you could get a really special, gem-quality Akoya pair and not spend too much! You could reach out to Takahashi or Moline for that.

 

[newtojewels]

@LightBright time to triple message! Look what Moline posted earlier today:

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