I've been looking for some gorgeous lavender pearls for awhile now and also do not have much of a jewelry budget these days. And then I found these pretty rice pearls from Catherine Cardellini. I prefer a longer strand (this one is a bit under 19"). I said I can string them myself, so she even tossed in a few inches of extra pearls gratis! She is so nice. Can't wait to get them. They are mostly about 9mm x 8mm.