Tell me about pearls..

[latrucha]

Years ago I bought my stepmother a very cheap mother of pearl necklace which she really likes but she is looking for something shorter. I'd like to buy her one for her birthday, but am shopping online.

All the pearls seem to call themselves cultured freshwater pearls whethter they cost £30 or £700. I'm sure they're not the same thing really, so what is the difference? I have about £30 to spend. Will they look cheap and nasty? She just want a simple string.

Yes, me too. Ok. At the risk of trying your patience. I've also just found this. Which one do you think?

Bit put off by the 'first pearls' bit but not sure it means anything.

Sorry. I didn't se eyour reply about the ebay one.

I went for the ebay one for now just to see. They accept returns, so nothing lost really.

Thanks again for all the help!

My first pearls will be a really short strand for children. 15inch. So would probably be a bit neat.

Let me know how you get on with the bargainous ebay one. It could be the next mumsnet scarf

I will.

Hi bethelbeth.

I got the bargain pearls yesterday. I would say they are ok. They are real freshwater pearls, somewhat irregular and quite nice. I don't know how much nicer spending a bit more would make them. I do feel they are a stocking filler rather than a main gift sort of quality but that is perhaps just my perception because I know how cheap they were!

The strand is quite short but I've bought an extender so I think it will be ok.

Thanks again for your help.

Must hunt out a nice box.