Pearls

Parent Cafe
1

<p>I’d like to get pearls for my daughter for graduation. Any clues on best length and size for college girls? Thanks.</p>

2

<p>My daughter loves pearls. She wears a necklace that is about 18" - I think it’s called the “princess” length. She seems to like this length or a bit shorter - 16", so it doesn’t interfere with the neckline of her top. </p>

<p>Around 8 mm is a good diameter - sort of medium sized pearls. </p>

<p>If you’re looking at high-quality cultured pearls like Mikimoto or Tiffany, the larger diameter pearls can get very expensive. The smaller diameter are progressively less expensive. Better pearls are also rated by quality - luster, color, etc. A,AA, A+.</p>

3

<p>The most traditional pearl necklace is one or more strands of matched pearls. Think Barbara Bush: <a href=“http://www.harpersbazaar.com/cm/harpersbazaar/images/Barbara-Bush-de-98830888.jpg[/url]”>http://www.harpersbazaar.com/cm/harpersbazaar/images/Barbara-Bush-de-98830888.jpg&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>While you’re thinking about college girls, remember this is something she’s going to have for a very long time, and if it’s too trendy it will look dated quite quickly.</p>

4

<p>I got DD a set of 18" necklace, 7"(?) bracelet and earrings for Christmas. The clasps match on the necklace and bracelet so they can be combined to make a 25". I have something similar that has served me well over the years. DD’s and mine are both freshwater pearls, but hers are completely round whereas my 20 yo set has pearls that are more potato shaped–I guess “they’ve” found a way to make them more round. Hers were cheaper too. I got them at Macy’s, but couldn’t find them to link you.</p>

5

<p>The necklace my daughter wears is about 20 years old - my husband gave it to me. Like the set Schmoomcgoo mentioned, it has a bracelet with the same clasp that can be added to make the necklace longer, although she never wears it that way. I think younger girls now like them shorter. </p>

<p>My mother had a similar necklace that my sister now has which looks almost identical and it’s probably 50 years old, so this is a very classic look that should last her forever.</p>

<p>Just tell her not to spray hairspray or other products near them. Always put on your pearls last!</p>

6

<p>Salt water pearls are going to be more expensive than fresh water. Fresh water pearls could be bigger, but not as round. Anything north of 7.5 mm for salt water starts to get pricey. I do agree 8 mm is a good size. I think you could get good quality pearls without going through Mikimoto or Tiffany - gems are gems, even without a designer name. Best salt water pearls are from Japan, not China. I would get a simple strand of best quality you could afford. D1 just took my double strands back with her. I love pearls. They are just classic. Whenever I go into a jewelry store, I am always drawn to the pearl section.</p>

7

<p>Here’s a link to pearl grade information:</p>

<p>[Pearl</a> Grading | Pearl-Guide.com](<a href=“http://www.pearl-guide.com/pearl-grading.shtml]Pearl”>http://www.pearl-guide.com/pearl-grading.shtml)</p>

<p>I would shop around because the price can vary a great deal, although it is important to buy graded pearls to ensure they are of a good quality - especially for something that will be an heirloom one day, rather than just fashion jewelry.</p>

<p>I would also add that when you shop, look at various grades side by side. There can be a significant difference in luster and color which isn’t obvious unless you put a lesser quality strand along side a higher quality strand. I noticed this when I bought my daughter pearl earrings a few years ago to wear with my necklace. I took the necklace along with me (really only to match the color, which can also vary) and I was amazed at how dull and lifeless some of the cheaper pearls looked next to my AAA pearls.</p>

8

<p>

I agree. My mom left me some of her pearls which she handpicked from a pearl factory in Japan, when she visited them back in the early70s and late 60s. But I had to buy my own pearls to wear( not mikimoto,they are expensive for the size I want) because I don’t want to ruin them.</p>

9

<p>The website at Gourmetmom’s link has all kinds of info on the differences between cultured, freshwater and saltwater pearls as well as how each used to be formed and how they are formed today and what’s best about each and where the various kinds have come from throughout the years. I also have a shorter Julia Childsish two strand necklace DH brought me from China. He believed they were saltwater that he got a great deal on–I suspect they are fresh, but they are nice 10mm bright white round pearls and I love them whatever they are.</p>

10

<p>Good pearls are a favorite gift of mine for beloved young ladies who are graduating high school. I have already had the pleasure of seeing one set worn at a young lady’s wedding (a number of years later)!</p>

<p>I have a good relationship with the owner of a fine local jewelry store. He keeps an eye open and lets me know when he gets some pearls in. He sometimes gets good deals from other stores that are closing, or estate sales. You need to trust your jeweler, like your banker or your doctor.</p>

<p>The color, the luster, the size, the symmetry, the uniformity of size, the origin–all to be considered. I personally like a warmer color than the ice-white or pinkish white, but the girl may have a preference.</p>

<p>I agree on the 18 in. length being good. Pearls she can keep her whole life and give to her own daughter.</p>

11

<p>My goodness, I’m really surprised to hear that young women are still wearing traditional pearls. (I think my D would collapse with laughter at the mere thought, but she doesn’t have a traditional bone in her body.) I have a beautiful set that I haven’t worn in many years. Back in the day H’s family had a connection in the jewelry business and MIL and I visited a pearl wholesaler on 47th St. in Manhattan, where we got to paw though drawers and drawers of pearls of every color and size and pick out exactly the ones we wanted to be made into a necklace. I picked a slightly pink pearl that worked best with my complexion, MIL went for a creamier color. We had to purchase an entire set of the ones we liked, and given the length of necklace I wanted, I had enough extra to make a bracelet. The pearls worked wonderfully for many years when worn with a suit or sweater set in a formal office, but with the trend toward funkier costume jewelry and more casual clothes, at some point I realized I looked really matronly and over dressed when I wore them and put them away. I rarely see them on anyone anymore. OP shouldn’t proceed unless she knows for sure that her D would welcome this expensive gift and not leave it in a drawer for years. I also strongly recommend against buying them at Macy’s or any other department store. They mark up jewelry ridiculously high and then run constant “sales” where the prices are still no bargain. Better to use a well-respected local jeweler you can trust.</p>

12

<p>Both of my daughters wear pearls. The older one wears them for job interviews now. I just gave her my double strand.</p>

13

<p>MommaJ, I think it could one of those East vs. West Coast things. I got a very inexpensive strand of pearls for my D as a part of a “gag gift” which also included a copy of Mona Lisa Smile. I thought she would not wear it since I’ve rarely seen young ladies wear pearls here, in my neck of the woods (her sister never wore a pearl pendant we gave her). D goes to school on the East Coast and did wear it several times before losing it.</p>

14

<p>My mother bought D a pearl necklace when D was born…had jeweler take it apart, and then gave D a pearl at every birthday/holiday/special event…
Now that D is in college, maybe I should have it reassembled…hope I can find them all!</p>

15

<p>Mommaj, I think you are right. I don’t think mine would wear them either. I have not worn mine for a long time now. But I’m sure they don’t inherit my pearls.</p>

16

<p>Um…I don’t know about that east coast west v. west coast thing…DD wears her pearls at Berkeley.:eek:</p>

17

<p>Well, may be it is WA vs MA thing ;)</p>

18

<p>Still a good thing for the SEC football games…and for attorneys in Texas! I guess parts of the South are still pro-pearl.</p>

19

<p>I have an 18 inch graduated strand that I totally love…need to get those out :)</p>

20

<p>Or maybe a greek thing?</p>