seeking a pearl i once saw

[movie zombie]

i''m working from memory here.....

more than 20 years ago, i saw and fell in love with a pearl. it had been in the family of a friend of mine for many years. i might add a very wealthy family. when he married another friend of mine, he gave her this pearl. when i saw it, it was love at first sight.

the pearl in question was a pendant hung from a gold chain. i think it would be defined as "baroque" as it was not perfectly round and had a few of what i''m going to call convolutions. it was already old at that time and did not have a modern luster. it was this pearl only with no other ornamentation....and it was huge: at least 1.5 cm no matter how it was measured. i asked once about its origin and was told it was natural, had been in the family for generations, and was a south sea pearl. the color was white but not blinding white...definitely not a golden....but also not a true ivory. unfortunately, my friends divorced and she took the pearl with her. sigh.

i have no illusions that i could afford such a pearl. but i''m searching anyway. i figure if i set my sights high i can always lower them. thus far i have not seen anything comparable and i''ve looked on and off for years. but i''ve not been as avid a shopper as those in this forum! hence, i come to you asking for aid and assistance. have you seen anything such as i''m describing? should i be asking for assistance from an antique jewelry dealer? any suggestions as to who? any and all suggestions are welcome.

mz

 

[bgray]

In my opinion that was likely just a baroque drop (shaped--i.e. tear drop) south sea. Easy to find. Contact american pearl or pearl paradise...........

 

[innerkitten]

Hi MZ
You might want to ask over on that other pearl forum. But if it was old and the family had money perhaps it was a natural pearl?

 

[bgray]

Date: 1/2/2010 1:47:13 PM
Author: innerkitten
Hi MZ

You might want to ask over on that other pearl forum. But if it was old and the family had money perhaps it was a natural pearl?

it may well have been natural--however natural of that size is like La Peregrina or something. Thats big big big money. she can easily find something similar of very very high quality as a cultured baroque. i didnt get the impression she was in the market for the natural version?????????

 

[innerkitten]

You could contact Jeremy at Pearl Paradise and see what he says. If it''s just the look you''re after maybe a large freshwater or South Sea might do. They come in so many different overtones and colors. Have you seen the Sea of Cortez pearls yet?

 

[movie zombie]

wasn't "drop shaped"...that's why it was so darn attractive...almost round but not quite. and, yes, the family had that kind of $$$$$$$$, the pearl was natural, and had been in the family for 50-60 years when i saw it 20 years ago.

yes, i'll never be able to afford it as i don't have that kind of $. but i'd like to find one and see it so i'll know my trade offs.

any particular websites or is that a no-no on pricescope, the listing of other pearl vendors or forums?


mz

 

[Indylady]

A natural south sea? Holy moly, I can only imagine.

Barbara Smigel who used to be with ACS is quite knowledgeable about natural pearls, and has a strand of natural freshwaters. I had a nice conversation about them with her a few years ago, and she recommended fraleigh.ca, a Canadian antique dealer that has a few natural pearl pieces, though only freshwaters. Pearl Paradise also has a few natural freshwaters. Besides that, all that comes to mind if Al-Hashimi pearls, one of the worlds leading natural pearl houses based in Bahrain. From what I've seen, they seem to have freshwaters only as well. Their English is a little broken; it would probably help if you knew someone who spoke Arabic (or if you spoke Arabic). Mine is limited at best, but if you needed help I could give it a shot.

I've never seen a natural southsea pearl for sale, but I also don't sit in regularly for Christie's auctions. If it its a southsea pearl you're looking for, you might have to consider a cultured pearl. Even if you have a sizeable budget, I think you'd still have a hard time finding one. Please keep us posted on your search!

ETA: Have you looked into Australian vendors or sources? That might be a good idea, though I don't know of any personally.

 

[y2kitty]

Like this? Or like this?

 

[movie zombie]

i don''t have that kind of budget......so as much as i''d like to see one again, i also don''t want to waste anyone''s time looking for one knowing i can''t afford it. sigh.

y2kitth, was rounder and not as white.....but then it was old and i''m not sure that my friend and his wife really too care of it well.

yes, it was gasp worthy. especially now that i have read a little bit about pearls.

if i do find one and/or i buy anything, i''ll make sure to post.

earrings might be easier.........

mz

 

[innerkitten]

This woman''s Ebay store comes to mind. I know you like high carat gold and it looks great with pearls.

http://cgi.ebay.com/STUNNING-RARE-22K-SOUTH-SEA-GOLD-PEARL-DIAMOND-PENDANT_W0QQitemZ130350918486QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Fine_Necklaces_Pendants?hash=item1e59852b56#ht_4747wt_1133

 

[innerkitten]

Another idea would be something very simple like this but with a pearl you''ve picked out yourself. You can always put it on a chain.
http://www.pearlparadise.com/110-120-to-130-140-mm-Oval-Golden-South-Sea-Pearl-on-Silk-Cord1080.aspx

 

[innerkitten]

A setting idea.

http://www.jamesmeyerjewelry.com/pieces/1346.htm

 

[pearlie]

I''ve seen pearls that size, and that breath-taking. Some even larger than you described, 20 x 25mm (2 x 2.5cm). I call these ''monster pearls'', they''re just one big hunk of south sea pearl love.

And I know where to get them.

As a professional in the pearl industry, the rules of this forum prohibit me from posting pictures or giving you any further information.


Julie.

 

[movie zombie]

kitten, great suggestions!

i was also considering something like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380193794835&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
in the hopes it would actually keep the pearl off my skin or from rubbing on another piece of jewelry......

julie, are we both thinking keshi? but large and very rounded?

mz

 

[pearlie]

South Sea cultured pearls. Very large, somewhat round-ish.

julie.

 

[innerkitten]

I think she means traditional nucleated. There are South Sea keshis around though because I saw a larger one once on that Ebay site I mentioned.

BTW You might want to test a few different overtones against your skin to see what suits you.

 

[movie zombie]

kitten,

in the past the whiter the better....sigh...as i actually like some of the "champagne" colors. yellow tones unless highly defined don''t look good on me....hence, high carat gold! otherwise, i wear a lot of silver.

however, i should take myself to a better b&m and test it out now that i''m a "senior citizen". some of those metallic pearls i see online are lovely as are the sea of cortez rainbows.........

mz