SSP Experts : Advice needed

[guava62]

Hello Everyone!
I am on the hunt for a matched pair of white, round
AAA - blemish free
14mm South Sea pearls to have made into a simple pair of drop earrings.
What budget would be appropriate for the pearls alone.
What site/s would you suggest.
I am not based in the US.
Much love & lustre !!
Guava

 

[pearlsngems]

For reference, a finished pair of 14-15mm, AAA, round, WSS drop earrings costs just under US$4,000 at Pearl Paradise currently:
https://www.pearlparadise.com/produ...white-south-sea-140-150-pearl-dangle-earrings

And 13-14mm in the same setting costs just under $3,000:
https://www.pearlparadise.com/produ...white-south-sea-130-140-pearl-dangle-earrings

That additional 1mm in diameter makes a significant difference in price.

Edit to add:
Using the mathematical formula for volume, a 14mm round pearl is approximately 25% larger than a 13mm pearl, and a 15mm pearl is about 23% larger than a 14mm pearl. Larger pearls are also scarcer than smaller pearls. Hence the large price jumps as one goes larger.

This is for finished pieces, of course, but even if buying loose pearls you should expect to see a significant jump in price the larger the pearls are.

Consider that since you'd be buying as an end user, not a company that buys in volume, you may find it costs more to buy loose pearls than a finished pair.

 

[guava62]

For reference, a finished pair of 14-15mm, AAA, round, WSS drop earrings costs just under US$4,000 at Pearl Paradise currently:
https://www.pearlparadise.com/produ...white-south-sea-140-150-pearl-dangle-earrings

And 13-14mm in the same setting costs just under $3,000:
https://www.pearlparadise.com/produ...white-south-sea-130-140-pearl-dangle-earrings

That additional 1mm in diameter makes a significant difference in price.

Edit to add:
Using the mathematical formula for volume, a 14mm round pearl is approximately 25% larger than a 13mm pearl, and a 15mm pearl is about 23% larger than a 14mm pearl. Larger pearls are also scarcer than smaller pearls. Hence the large price jumps as one goes larger.

This is for finished pieces, of course, but even if buying loose pearls you should expect to see a significant jump in price the larger the pearls are.

Consider that since you'd be buying as an end user, not a company that buys in volume, you may find it costs more to buy loose pearls than a finished pair.

For reference, a finished pair of 14-15mm, AAA, round, WSS drop earrings costs just under US$4,000 at Pearl Paradise currently:
https://www.pearlparadise.com/produ...white-south-sea-140-150-pearl-dangle-earrings

And 13-14mm in the same setting costs just under $3,000:
https://www.pearlparadise.com/produ...white-south-sea-130-140-pearl-dangle-earrings

That additional 1mm in diameter makes a significant difference in price.

Edit to add:
Using the mathematical formula for volume, a 14mm round pearl is approximately 25% larger than a 13mm pearl, and a 15mm pearl is about 23% larger than a 14mm pearl. Larger pearls are also scarcer than smaller pearls. Hence the large price jumps as one goes larger.

This is for finished pieces, of course, but even if buying loose pearls you should expect to see a significant jump in price the larger the pearls are.

Consider that since you'd be buying as an end user, not a company that buys in volume, you may find it costs more to buy loose pearls than a finished pair.

 

[guava62]

Thank you so much for this very thorough answer.
I am new to Pearls and find them more difficult to judge as opposed to the seemingly more clear guidelines used in diamond grading.
I am especially interested in the idea that unset pairs could be more expensive than the finished piece accounting for the end user vs a company with more buying power scenario.
I truly appreciate the time and quality of your reply.
I have a few things to consider and you have certainly given me food for thought.
Guava

 

[pearlsngems]

If you are not thrilled with the setting shown by Pearl Paradise (or any other vendor), you could always ask the vendor to set the pearls with another setting that you prefer.

At various times during the year, vendors have sales, with discounts of 15-20%! I suggest you get on the mailing list of any vendors that interest you so as to get the heads-up emails with discount codes. I have personally bought from Pearl Paradise, Pure Pearls and Pearls of Joy and recommend any of them.

 

[ennui]

If you are not familiar with pearls, consider that a 14mm pearl can feel heavy on the ear.
Other than that, pearlsngems gave excellent advice.

 

[pearlsngems]

I agree, that could feel quite heavy.