Pearl Jewellery.... A special birthday gift for my mum

[Magicrabbit]

It's my mums 60th birthday soon and we want to buy her a set of pearl Jewellery - necklace and earrings. Looking for something classic and plain, that she can wear with most things and it'll last for many years.

So, I've no idea where to look to buy this from? Budget is tbc, but probably in the region of £400. Any ideas on where to look? I've googled it but loads of pearl companies come up and I don't know what's good quality or not!

[rococopops]

Bumping for you, I'm looking for earrings

[mrscumberbatch]

Ok, for pearls I would definitely not buy online. You really have to see and feel them to understand the quality and it's easy to be misled online.

Independent jewellers tend to be the best as they can order in ones and two's of harder to find items whereas chains have to order in bulk.

What you need to think of is what length would she prefer? Single or double strand? And also what kind of clasp is on it- some are too fiddly for most.

Go visit a few jewellers in your area and see which you like the most.

[SilkandSteel]

Jersey Pearl site is worth a look. Probably a bit far to go to their shop, but I have been there before and they had some lovely stuff.

[PeriPathetic]

I've bought loads of pearls online and I highly recommend these two stores (US based, but very reliable and high quality)

The Pearl Outlet and Pearl Paradise

What sort of pearls are you looking for? Freshwater are the cheapest and most 'standard'. Akoya are gorgeous - smaller but very shiny. Tahitians are stunning, colourful and rather expensive while South Seas are huge and £££!

Pearl Paradise have some rather special naturally metallic freshwater pearls if you're after something unusual here

[scotsgirl23]

I also have a set from Jersey Pearl which are stunning and much admired so would definitely recommend quality wise. Mine are more modern floating pearls.

[Magicrabbit]

Thank for the responses... I'm not up to speed with the different types of pearls so need to research them really! Also depends on I can get on our budget. She will want a standard length, maybe 16 or 18 inch?, not a choker but not long beads either - single strand with gold clasp.

I'll check out jersey pearl, but also check local shops when shopping locally tomorrow.

Any other thoughts are welcome.....

[UML]

Hi

I posted a link on another thread on pearls - recommending www.pearlgallery.co.uk/

I don't know how many other independant retailers there are in the UK, but I came across this one, and have bought from them, and was happy with what I got. They have also got an actual shop in Birmingham, so you could also visit.

The website gives you information on the different pearl ratings, and has products which fit into different ratings, so you can find something suitable for your budget.

They can also do alterations, I think they even do customisations etc. maybe call them if you are interested. (you also get an authenticity certificate with your purchase)

I would also not recommend buying via the high street, as they trump up the prices as well.

With pearls, I think the rating system reflects how round and lustrous they are (I think though there are other considerations too) - the more perfectly round they are, the more expensive, and more perfect the surface, the higher the rating.

You can find more info on the different prices on the pearlgallery website, or do a general google search. You can find out a lot, i.e. about different size recommendations for which age, which length as well, for which age etc. etc.

HOpe that helps!

[KnockedUpMell]

DH got me a set from dower and hall. Very nice quality.

[elainenicholsons]

Hi, I came across this discussion while doing a search for "Jersey Pearl". First off, let me say straight away that I am a jeweller )and Jersey Pearl stockist) so you may find my advice helpful. Apologies if you all know this already.

Cultured pearls can come from an oyster or a mussel. Mussel cultured pearls (aka Freshwater) are less expensive. Lately, their shapes have been much improved and now closely resemble the shapes of oyster pearls.

Look for lustre (Jersey Pearl only used pearls with excellent lustre) and avoid pearls with unsightly lumps and bumps. Size plays a part in pricing too; once pearls get too big there is more chance of the oyster/mussel rejecting it so the rarity increases the price.

With your budget you should be able to get a very nice string of freshwater pearls. Personally, I would put most of the money into the pearls and go for a plain clasp - after all, it's worn at the back of the neck and rarely seen.

Length: most useful is lying at the base of the neck so depends on your collar size whether this will be 16" or 18"

Colour: a matter of choice really. Pinkish pearls suit most English complexions, while creams seem to look better on olive based skins.

Ask your jeweller about guarantee of the skins.

Have the pearls knotted on silk; the knots protect the pearls from each other.

I was a bit disappointed that one contributor has found that high street jewellery bump prices up as opposed to online retailers. Our prices, and those of most jewellers I know, have the same prices. I'd think that all Jersey Pearl stockists would be the same.

Pearls need a little extra care to keep them looking their best and hopefully this (very) short guide will be useful www.nicholsonsjewellers.co.uk/news/caring-for-pearl-jewellery/index.html

[Chewbecca]

I have these pearl earrings from Blue Nile and am very happy with them