Thoughts on an everyday (but gorgeous) pearl pendant?

[seaurchin]

It seems to me pendants have a whole different feel than strands. More casual, maybe? I tend to dress very casually most days (shorts or jeans) so here I have a stuffed jewelry box and still go about bare-necked most of the time. I'm looking for a pendant to wear more or less all the time. But as something I'll live with every day, I would still like it to be quite wonderful. I've been looking and looking online and nothing really jumps out at me. Wondering if anyone has any ideas (I wear yellow gold but any pics are most welcome). Thanks!

 

[SMC]

It seems to me pendants have a whole different feel than strands. More casual, maybe? I tend to dress very casually most days (shorts or jeans) so here I have a stuffed jewelry box and still go about bare-necked most of the time. I'm looking for a pendant to wear more or less all the time. But as something I'll live with every day, I would still like it to be quite wonderful. I've been looking and looking online and nothing really jumps out at me. Wondering if anyone has any ideas (I wear yellow gold but any pics are most welcome). Thanks!

My DH gave me a Mikimoto one that looks like this (cheaper) version from PP: http://www.pearlparadise.com/p-3710-glitz-collection-akoya-pearl-and-diamond-pendant.aspx

I wear it all the time. I like the way it looks but I like it more because my DH chose it all by himself for me.

Even if you're going to wear a pendant everyday, you should still take it off when showering, swimming, applying lotions/perfumes, etc.

 

[mapo]

What about a souffle pendant?

Here's mine -



or maybe one of the new gem-studded souffles from little h?

 

[bsomlo]

Or a fireball pendant? I think of them as casual, feisty and decorative.

Small:



Medium:



Large:



Extra Large:

 

[cmd2014]

Do you have a price range in mind? That would help narrow it down.

I'd probably go with a large baroque tahitian or WSS if I was going casual and everyday. But those soufflés and fireballs are TDF too!

 

[Fly Girl]

For everyday, I think a single pearl pendant in your favorite color would be awesome. A round dark golden South Sea, or perhaps a lovely white South Sea with interesting overtones. Perhaps a single Tahitian with excellent luster and wonderful overtones.

Choose your Kamoka pendant here. http://kamokapearls.com/collections/pendants

But, right now you have an awesome opportunity to pick up a very special pendant from the Sea of Cortez sale going on over at Pure Pearls. http://www.purepearls.com/monthly-special.html

This rose, violet and mauve pendant set in rose gold with an accent diamond would be a wonderful choice.

 

[seaurchin]

Wow, what gorgeous pendants y'all have!

As to the price question, I was thinking under $600.

 

[icy_jade]

I vote for a nice Tahitian drop. Smooth or circled and colour depending on your preference/typical outfit color. But a simple diamond pendant is my personal pick for daily wear - goes with everything and less fragile. With pearls I worry about perspiration and sprays/chemicals.

 

[katbran]

I think the thing to remember is the $600 ish price tag. For me, casual says baroque or drop shape but lets look at round first..

You can do an Australian SS pearl , 10mm, with gold bail from Kailis (might be owned by Paspaley..someone told me that but not sure) for around 625 AUD You won't get a good large SS that is round unless you spend a bit more.

chttps://www.kailisjewellery.com.au/en/category/24/Pendants+and+Enhancers/?pageId=5an go with a simple small 10mm Australian SS pearl and gold bail from Kailis

Or, if you want more bang for the buck... you could do a larger white Edison and use a gold bail. You could probably do that for less than 400 $

If a round shape doesn't appeal , and lets remember they are usually more expensive when all other factors are equal.. try the baroque or elegant drop shape Tahitian ... they go with everything. You can get a decent fat size with a gold bail for 400$

 

[icy_jade]

Kojima has some affordable wss:
http://kojimapearl.myshopify.com/collections/pearl-pendants

N interesting loose Tahitians:
Eg http://kojimapearl.myshopify.com/products/beautiful-genie-s-bottle

 

[Pearlescence]

It would be cunning to get an enhancer so the pearl can do double work - both as a stand alone pendant, and as an enhancer when you want to whoop up a necklace.

 

[bsomlo]

Simple CFW drops are not expensive and very pretty -- here's a lavender and a metallic white:





PP is out of these particular drops, but see what a good value they are starting at $15 for a drop pearl:

http://www.pearlparadise.com/p-475-loose-pink-to-peach-freshwater-drop-pearl.aspx

With your budget you could get a drop pearl the size, shape and color you desire as soon as they have it in their inventory.

If you like darker colors, a drop Tahitian would be beautiful -- and really colorful and affordable with rings.

(BTW, my DD got a pair of lavender studs from my DH many years ago. She does live in them, literally. Swims in pools, showers daily, alcohols them (she rubs them with alcohol, people!), etc. They look absolutely fine. I'd never never never do any of that -- but her pearls have not suffered one bit. I just asked her to remove them and inspected them.)

 

[baby monster]

Bsomlo, love all of your pendants. Do you ever put them on strands as enhancers?

I think this style looks casual and interesting. Must be a new design at PP as I haven't seen this setting before.
http://www.pearlparadise.com/p-3803-pointe-collection-lavender-freshwater-drop-pearl-and-diamond-pendant.aspx

 

[bsomlo]

baby monster -- I've never worn an enhancer in my life.

 

[Kay]

For a pendant to wear almost every day, I would want a gorgeous pearl in a simple setting. Either a Tahitian or White South Sea (WSS) pearl will go with just about everything. I would want something in the 12-15 mm size, with great luster and color. With Tahitians, you have a choice of body color and overtones.

For pendants that hang from a bail, I prefer drop shaped pearls, either smooth drops or circled baroque drops. I also love the look of a round or oval pearl solitaire where the chain goes right through the pearl. Round pearls are more expensive than drops.

You can call Pearl Paradise and tell them what size, shape and color of pearl you want, and they can help you choose a gorgeous loose pearl. Here's an idea of the price ranges for different types and sizes of pearls.

Circled baroque Tahitian: 12-13 mm $130; 14-15 mm $190
Round Tahitian: 11-12 mm $240; 12-13 mm $375
Circled baroque White South Sea: 12-13 mm $200; 13-14 mm $250; 14-15 mm $300
Drop WSS: 12-13 mm $240; 13-14 mm $270; 14-15 mm $290
Round WSS: 10-11 mm $475; 11-12 mm $520

http://www.pearlparadise.com/c-10-loose-pearls.aspx

A simple 14K YG pendant setting with no diamonds or 1 small diamond will be in the $40-120 range:

http://www.pearlparadise.com/c-224-pearl-pendant-findings.aspx

Here are some cool completed pendants with chains for under $600:

http://www.pearlsofjoy.com/Tahitian-Pearl-Solitaire-Pendant-All-Sizes_p_163.html

http://www.pearlparadise.com/p-1464-luna-collection-white-south-sea-pearl-pendant.aspx

http://www.pearlsofjoy.com/Baroque-South-Sea-Saturna-Pearl-Pendant-14-15mm_p_547.html

HTH!

 

[seaurchin]

Thanks for all the replies so far, ladies. And do keep 'em coming (and please keep posting whatever you like even if it differs from my post below. After all, I'm sure other pendant-seekers will see this as well).

I think I prefer a large, drop shaped lighter pearl, maybe champagne color as long as it's mirror-y. Thank you for helping me get it narrowed down so far. I'd make an exception on the color for the one below, though. I have a crush on it but it's out of my price range. So, would someone mind buying it and posting neck shots so I can at least visit it? Thanks! :p

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IMMENSE-22-9-x-18-7MM-GENUINE-TAHITIAN-PEARL-SOLID-14K-GOLD-DIAMOND-PENDANT-/271191908558?pt=US_Fine_Necklaces_Pendants&hash=item3f244c20ce

 

[Pearlescence]

Seaurchin, is it the pearl or the setting you love?

 

[dk168]

My collection of pendants:





I seldom wear them nowadays as my workwear being a polo shirt is too casual to wear any jewellery apart from stud earrings.

The large SSP with WG wire wrap and the large lavender CFWP with diamond details are the two I wear for dressier evening outings.

I have this SSP pearl that is over 15mm, the first and only pearl I bought for my now-shelved Wilma Flintstone pearl necklace project, and I intend to have it drilled so that I can wear it east-west on a black cord. It should go well with the dreaded polo shirt as it will be quite informal.



My latest pearl pendant project which is meant to be my 50th birthday present to myself for next year, involves an interchangeable bale with 9mm approx. gemstones, a White Topaz and a Rubellite Tourmaline, both cut by Jeff White. I have already purchased a Tahitian drop for the project, however, I prefer something larger, at least the same size as the large SSP in the pic above if not larger. Here is a conceptual drawing of my pendant project:



Jeff's pics of the White Topaz and Rubellite, and I should have them at the end of next month when I have finished paying for them:



This project is currently on hold, as I am using the money towards another major non-jewellery purchase instead.

DK

 

[seaurchin]

Seaurchin, is it the pearl or the setting you love?

I'm not sure. Both, probably! So many gorgeous pieces and ideas in this thread. Clearly, the problem I have is that one will not be enough!

 

[pkinnew]

seaurchin - You have received lots of great ideas and I think you're on the right track. I have a few large pearl enhancers but they aren't really every day wear. Another option you have is to buy a pearl as a slider on a snake chain. I have one white SS and one gold SS and find they add just the right touch when I'm more casually dressed.

http://www.pearlparadise.com/p-227-solitaire-collection-golden-south-sea-pearl-necklace.aspx

I LOVE that jumbo Tahitian - wow!

Good luck shopping!

 

[TogetherIsHappiness]

Seaurchin: I don't have any good advice but I'd like to share my pearl pendants with you. I prefer wearing pearl pendant over strands just because it seems more youthful? I sometimes find round pearl strands too formal or proper (for myself that is, but of course they're VERY luxurious on).
Here are my Tahitian and WSS. I do like them with diamonds for that extra BLING effect!