Help me pick my wedding pearls!

[strawbearlyjamms]

I need help picking my wedding pearls. I will be making them myself. So I am fairly unlimited with regard to the style and color. I know I like round pearls (not potato or rice shaped), and prefer smaller sizes (<7mm) but other than that i''m open to suggestions. Currently I''m thinking a 2 strand ivory colored collar necklace, but would like to hear other suggestions. I''ll be knotting it myself, so even though my budget is about $100 I can get some nice high(ish) quality freshies for that price (I was very happy with my last PearlLunar purhcase, and think I might go with them).

(The halter part of the dress was too loose when i tried it on at the salon, so it will be a bit more... modest when all alterations are completed... also, this will change the neckline slightly, but you get the idea)

 

[pearlie]

You''re thinking double strand collar necklace? Collar, as in stand up on your neck collar?

I think one big luscious pearl with a simple setting on a fine gold chain will do the trick.

julie.

 

[that_someone_special]

I think I agree with pearlie-- I think a double strand choker (?) might be too much near your neck with the halter and all. Personally, I''d go with a 9-10mm single pearl with a diamond if you can swing it.

 

[AmberGretchen]

Alternatively, could you do little floating pearls with a length of chain in between? Don''t know how feasible this might be to DIY, but I agree with the others that a 2-strand collar could be a bit much...

 

[brightlight]

I think your dress would look fabulous with a pearl rope wrapped around twice - the first layer wrapped tight around the neck like a choker and the second layer worn long so it goes down to your tummy/waist. So glamorous!

 

[pearlie]

that''s a good idea.

Where are you planning on purchasing your pearls? Do you have any bead/gem shows exhibiting near you?


julie.

 

[Kelli]

First of all, I LOVE your dress! I know you said it will be more modest, but I love the sexiness of it! When the top is pulled a bit tighter, what about a lariat style necklace? I would think that would work really well with the low cut of the top, as long as it really is up a bit higher. I also agree that one BIG luscious pearl would do the trick as well.

 

[cushioncutnut]

I agree too with one big gorgeous pearl, except I like Kelli''s idea of doing it in a lariat...maybe DBTY style! That dress looks gorgeous on you!! You got it goin'' on girl!!!

 

[strawbearlyjamms]

Aww, thank you all for your feedback. Regarding the collar/choker, I think in honesty I like the idea of the style and the dress but not the two tohether. Iwas hoping it might work together, but it really doesn''t...
As an alternative, I kind of like the lariet idea... and the single dangly pearl on a single chain. I was initially going to get my pearls from pearl lunar, thinking further I think I might go for a higher quality at PP. I talked to their customer service reps today, and they said they''d be getting in strands of single colored metallic pearls in. I haven''t seen the metallics in person, but the photos you have all posted are stunning.
I''m from the pittsburgh area, and don''t know any gem shows around here... where might I go to find them?

 

[strawbearlyjamms]

Date: 1/5/2010 6:31:46 PM
Author: brightlight
I think your dress would look fabulous with a pearl rope wrapped around twice - the first layer wrapped tight around the neck like a choker and the second layer worn long so it goes down to your tummy/waist. So glamorous!

This is something that never crossed my mind. This is kind of vintage and different. My ''theme'' is ''simple and elegant with a beachy twist'' the dress is simple and doesn''t have any embelishments, which may actually work with this idea. My only worry is that I''m not sure I''m ''bold'' enough to go retro-glam... but its really something to thin about... what size should I get in this case? 100 inches?

 

[that_someone_special]

I have one that''s in the 60''s and wraps nice tightly then goes down quite a bit-- I think 100 might be down to your waist

So single pearl metallics?????? uggghhhh more things to want... more things to buy...

 

[brightlight]

Date: 1/5/2010 10:34:37 PM
Author: strawbearlyjamms

Date: 1/5/2010 6:31:46 PM
Author: brightlight
I think your dress would look fabulous with a pearl rope wrapped around twice - the first layer wrapped tight around the neck like a choker and the second layer worn long so it goes down to your tummy/waist. So glamorous!

This is something that never crossed my mind. This is kind of vintage and different. My 'theme' is 'simple and elegant with a beachy twist' the dress is simple and doesn't have any embelishments, which may actually work with this idea. My only worry is that I'm not sure I'm 'bold' enough to go retro-glam... but its really something to thin about... what size should I get in this case? 100 inches?

I think you're plenty bold enough! It's your wedding day! It's still simple and elegant but will make people say, "Wow!" I think it will be very striking! I think 7 mm pearls (8 mm max) and 48"-54" long would be perfect! If you have several 16" or 18" necklaces, try linking them together so you can get a sense of length.

 

[strawbearlyjamms]

Date: 1/6/2010 8:44:01 AM
Author: swedish bean
I have one that's in the 60's and wraps nice tightly then goes down quite a bit-- I think 100 might be down to your waist

So single pearl metallics?????? uggghhhh more things to want... more things to buy...

I have a (faux?) pair found in my mother's jewelry box this christmas that are 50" when I go home again, I think i'll have a test and try on my dress with a couple variations from the 50" set to see how the rope looks with the dress (I'll take pics).

While doing a search for the rope style pearls with wedding dresses (albeit unsuccessful), I found this stunning wedding photo from Martha Stewart. HOW GORGEOUS! (it almost makes me wish I had a strapless dress... almost)

 

[strawbearlyjamms]

So when expanding upon my search for pearl pendants, I found this and my heart fluttered (yes, strange I know, but it really did!)

Its ridiculously above my price range (of course!), however, i''m thinking I may be able to get my jeweler to make a replica for cheaper.

Anyone use the ebay seller: pearloysterau for south sea pearls?

suggestions?

 

[cushioncutnut]

I came upon this necklace and I think it would be perfect with your dress!! Gorgeous!!

 

[cushioncutnut]

strawbearly... I jumped ahead and missed your posts. Those are great looking. I am not familiar with that Ebay seller....and personally, I would not spend alot on a seller who is overseas. I only take chances on overseas sellers by asking myself what can I afford to lose if they are not as nice as what the photo represents. If you are going to spend a nice chunk of change on wedding pearl(s) I would definately consider Pearl Paradise, American Pearl or someplace reputable that is within the states and has a wonderful return policy. The necklace that I posted is from futurefashionista.com. I think the price is great and they also have matching earrings. I have never purchased from them before, but a few posters have and have been thrilled with there purchases. Diadiva can testify to that. Take a look at her gorgeous pearl collection!

 

[strawbearlyjamms]

Wow, your spot on, this is really beautiful! I''ll have to check out that website, and your right, I do think if I do invest into a nice pearl(s) its def safer to do with the american companies and its nice to have a return policy for safety.

Also, I realized my post wasnt clear in that, the posted photo of the pendant was from Pearl Paradise and retails just under a 1k, the reason I asked about that ebay seller was because they sell ~15mm pearls that I could purchase independently and have a jeweler make a setting to set it with... But your right, its probably a pretty risky thing to do...

i''ll also check out Diadiva, Ive seen some of her more recent posts with her pearls, but i''ll have to dig up more... ;-]

 

[yssie]

Your dress is beautiful!!


A double-stranded bracelet would look so pretty with it

 

[cushioncutnut]

oh.... now I see. A few Ebay sellers that sell loose pearls that are in the states and have impeccable feedback are: Druzydesigns and rainbowislandpearls.... I would check them out. They have gorgeous merchandise at reasonable prices.

I don''t think we can get PM''s anymore on this forum....so even if I was getting married or newly married.......I couldn''t PM. Did you check that site out yet??

 

[strawbearlyjamms]

Date: 1/6/2010 10:00:46 PM
Author: cushioncutnut
oh.... now I see. A few Ebay sellers that sell loose pearls that are in the states and have impeccable feedback are: Druzydesigns and rainbowislandpearls.... I would check them out. They have gorgeous merchandise at reasonable prices.


I don''t think we can get PM''s anymore on this forum....so even if I was getting married or newly married.......I couldn''t PM. Did you check that site out yet??

Rainbowislandpearls looks like a great seller! Their shipping is one of the most reasonable i''ve seen out there yet, making me much more likely to purchase something to "test them out". Also that future fashonista website is really cool, I saw the necklace and earings you pointed out, and they really are very pretty and reasonably priced. They had a good bit of other really nice pendants too.

Here''s a image I found on their 72" pearl strand showing the different ways to wear it... I like the one in the middle row to the far left, its similar to how Kelli suggested, but with a twist....


Also, regarding the PMs, I wanted to put the link in my siggy, but when I went to do that it said "NO LINKS" I didnt want to break the rules, so I thought i''d utilize the PM option so as interested parties could get it without being "spammed", another forum I use does PMs a lot, and I saw there''s an option for it here, but I didnt realize that it wasnt an active feature... I''m still a bit of a newbie, what is generally acceptable for my situation?