Welcome to the forum. I thought I would respond so you don't think we are unfriendly. I am sorry , I can't answer your question. I don't buy pearls from brick and morter stores, unless I see something spectacular and the price is right. "store closing sales"
I decided to go with PP. I have been looking for a while... ever since I took my wife and we looked at some pearls at Tiffanys... ended up getting her a pair of 7.5-8.0 mm White Akoya Pearl Stud Earrings (AAA) and a 22 inch 7.0-7.5 mm White Akoya Pearl Necklace (AAA)... the ones she looked at at Tiffanys was 6.5 - 7.0 mm, so I figure these should look good on her, and she didn't like the 16 inch chain...
Fingers crossed she'll like them... I'll find out on Valentine's Day I guess!