Kay
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2003
- Messages
- 2,573
I may be crazy, but I am re-considering my recent purchase of blue baroque akoyas. I was very excited when I selected my 36” rope of blue baroque akoyas at PP recently. They are very blue, 8-8.5 mm, and I can wear doubled or long. While the color is gorgeous, they are not round or near round, and the skins on many of the pearls are not smooth. They are baroques, and priced accordingly, and I figured I could live with the “imperfections” in exchange for the gorgeous color.
I did not ask to see any Madamas during my visit, because the website showed they were sold out, and the only strand shown was a 9-9.5 mm strand for $4,900, which is more than I can justify paying for a single necklace. However, over the weekend, Missy posted about a newly listed PP Madama strand in the “lemming” thread. This strand is an 18” 8-8.5 mm strand for $3,482.
Kevin at POJ also recently listed an 18” 9-9.5 mm strand of round natural blue akoyas for $4,100. He thinks it is Madama quality, although not certified as such. The color looks darker blue than the PP Madama strand, and larger diameter, but more expensive. (Plus, I feel funny about switching vendors at this point.)
The smooth, glowing orbs of the Madamas really appeal to me. It would be hard for me to justify buying 2 blue akoya necklaces (if I keep the baroques now, I would be unlikely to also buy Madamas later). The baroques are much less expensive, deep blue, and a double strand, which I really like. There is no way I could afford a double strand of Madamas.
PP has not sent me the baroques yet (J needed to drill and string another strand for me first), so I could probably switch to the Madamas. We were able to buy 2 new mattress sets we needed for less than we anticipated thanks to a holiday sale, so I could bridge the difference in price, but is it crazy to do so? The cost difference between the baroques and Madamas could be set aside and should be enough to cover the next 3 items on my pearl wish list from the “lemming” thread. It doesn’t help that the only photos I have of the baroques are my poor quality pictures that I am comparing to the Madama “glamour shots.”
WWYD?
PP 8-8.5 mm Madamas:
POJ 9-9.5 mm Madamas:
PP blue baroque akoyas (bad pictures):
top 2 strands:
I did not ask to see any Madamas during my visit, because the website showed they were sold out, and the only strand shown was a 9-9.5 mm strand for $4,900, which is more than I can justify paying for a single necklace. However, over the weekend, Missy posted about a newly listed PP Madama strand in the “lemming” thread. This strand is an 18” 8-8.5 mm strand for $3,482.
Kevin at POJ also recently listed an 18” 9-9.5 mm strand of round natural blue akoyas for $4,100. He thinks it is Madama quality, although not certified as such. The color looks darker blue than the PP Madama strand, and larger diameter, but more expensive. (Plus, I feel funny about switching vendors at this point.)
The smooth, glowing orbs of the Madamas really appeal to me. It would be hard for me to justify buying 2 blue akoya necklaces (if I keep the baroques now, I would be unlikely to also buy Madamas later). The baroques are much less expensive, deep blue, and a double strand, which I really like. There is no way I could afford a double strand of Madamas.
PP has not sent me the baroques yet (J needed to drill and string another strand for me first), so I could probably switch to the Madamas. We were able to buy 2 new mattress sets we needed for less than we anticipated thanks to a holiday sale, so I could bridge the difference in price, but is it crazy to do so? The cost difference between the baroques and Madamas could be set aside and should be enough to cover the next 3 items on my pearl wish list from the “lemming” thread. It doesn’t help that the only photos I have of the baroques are my poor quality pictures that I am comparing to the Madama “glamour shots.”
WWYD?
PP 8-8.5 mm Madamas:
POJ 9-9.5 mm Madamas:
PP blue baroque akoyas (bad pictures):
top 2 strands:
I echo the previous advice. chose what you love and don't settle! personally, if I had to chose between the madama strands, I'd go with the darker blue madama strand from POJ.
After taking a break from jewelry buying since 2008 due to family health issues, work issues and a house re-model from hell, I recently re-discovered the pearl forum. I am suddenly obsessed with pearls and have a huge wish list. I need to take a breath and slow down.
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