a question for anyone who lives in Key West

[MeowMeow]

I have a question. My dad bought some pearls from the online zales store. I figured the quality wasn''t great but it was what he could afford so I said okay, figuring they couldn''t mess things up TOO badly. Well today they came and whoever or whatever made them crossed two of the strands in the four stranded necklace! So needless to say I asked for a shipping label two hours later and am going to mail them back as soon as it shows up. (although to give Zales credit, they did not ask me to exchange it for another so that was a plus X.x)

Unfortunately now I''m even more uneasy about shopping online and was wondering if anybody could reccomend a local jeweller in key west I could go to who would be affordable. (my former jeweller died in september and I have been jewellerless since)

My Dad can only spend 150 maximum unfortunately. I looked at Neptunes Designs and they seemed okay as far as service goes, but I did not see prices so I do not know how affordable they are. Jeff''s gems also seems alright in service but again I do not know prices.

if anyone knows anything it would be greatly appreciated!

 

[jmtomaui]

Meow, what is it you are looking for? It sounds like you have / had a 4 strand pearl necklace? Or was it a bracelet?

If you could give us a little more detail such as how big the pearls are, how long a strand, what color pearl, then we could give you more help. I can think of a couple of vendors on Etsy that I have purchased from that you would be safe with. And although you are fearful of on-line, there are a couple of eBay vendors that many of us have purchased from and would not worry about the quality.

And if you have told us this information already, and I''ve missed it, I do apologize.

 

[MeowMeow]

Oh no problem imtomaui! (hope I spelled your name right! )

It’s my fault if I wasn’t clear. I’m known for being scattered frequently lol but heres your answers:
1) it was a necklace, the four strands went from 17 inches at the shortest to 20 at the longest strand
2) 2) the smallest pearls were 6.5 mm and the biggest were 7 mm
3) They were white pearls, freshwaters since I have to be nice to my Dads pocket.
4) As for strand length, I am not sure

 

[jmtomaui]

Meow, many of us have ordered from, and been very happy with, our purchases from pearllunar. I''m attaching a photo of a 3 strand necklace that is available for $89.00. I know that they do custom work and I''m sure they could add another strand for you and keep the price to your dad''s budget. This strand is 7 - 8 mm pearls with a high luster and truly round.

I know online is a fearful chance to take but I do think you would be happy with your necklace.

And what a lovely gesture from your dad.

 

[MeowMeow]

Goodness! That is nice looking work! I''ll speak to Dad and see if he will consent to trying again, this time with this company instead! Thanks so much for looking it up for me!

 

[pearlie]

Hi Meow -

I lived and worked in KW for many years. Neptune is exactly who I would recommend, they''ve been in business for years and are one of the few jewelers I''ve found anywhere who know pearls.

Got my start at Sunset!

Best of luck

julie.

 

[jmtomaui]

I''m so glad Pearlie spoke up! I''d definitely try the local vendor first because the best way to buy pearls is to physically see the strands you are considering. Try them on. See what "speaks" to you. It will be much more fun that way!

I''m sure that you will find something gorgeous there! And if, for whatever reason, nothing seems to be right, you have something else to consider after you have been to Neptune.

 

[MeowMeow]

Pearlie: Oh thanks! This was what I was looking for when I posted this thread! I’ve been lost about jewelers since Andy from the Jewellry Station died in September. (he was my regular jeweler whenever I had projects.)

I went to neptunes once but at the time my pearls had already been ordered. The loose pearls I saw there looked very nice! I saw some south seas that made me drool but since I wasn’t buying, just hunting around for a new jeweler who would care for me like my old one, I didn’t price too much. I should give the owner a call and see if he remembers my dad and I. Thanks so much for your recommendation!

jmtomaui: I think you’re right about going in person too and seeing the pearls. Its definitely more fun than just looking at pictures of them, and should I not find anything I like I will definitely peruse that link you gave me! I had fun looking around it!

Thanks to you both for taking the time to help me out!

 

[pearlie]

While you''re out and about on Duval St., you may want to check with Emerald International, too. While I have not dealt personally with them, the gentleman who I get most of my S. Sea pearls from is also their supplier. As long as you''re looking, go see what they have, help to train your ''pearl eyes''.

Is Whitfield Jack still in business? I think he handled mostly conch pearls, but again worth a ''look see''.

If you get up to Marathon, check out Midas Jewelers, don''t remember the owner''s name, but she did several pieces for me and was terrific to work with.

Don''t settle for lower-cost Akoya (salt water) pearls. With the price range you''re talking about, stick with freshies. Consider going with only one or two strands - instead of 4 - and getting a better quality pearl (higher luster, cleaner surface, etc.) it really does make a huge difference.

good luck

julie.

 

[MeowMeow]

Pearlie: Thanks for the extra suggestions! I’ll try them out as well! I gave Neptunes a call and the owner seems really great so far. I think he spent about fifteen minutes with me on the phone telling me about a super long strand of just slightly off round freshwaters he has that later on he would be willing to show me and later on remake into three strands if I like it. My father says we can go look at it tomorrow.

I’m not sure about Whitfield Jack. I’ve actually never heard of him, but then again, after I found Andy I stopped jeweler hunting so that might explain it! Lol! The only other jeweler I sort of know is Maria from Duval Gifts (I think that’s the name.. She knows my fiance’s mom, but I’ve only been in the store once and she is away getting a gemologists degree.)

I’ll check out Midas one day too, maybe when my grandmother comes to visit we can take a drive up to Marathon really quick and see

As far as Akoyas, I didn’t even realize with my budget they could be afforded, but I believe you for sure when you say stick with freshwaters. I’d prefer to get the nicest pearl possible!

Thanks so much for the tips! They’re wonderful!

 

[MeowMeow]

Well thanks to everybody who gave me advice on this subject! I ended up going with Neptunes because I could see the pearls. I ended up buying a long strand I can loop around my neck twice and later on they are going to take it apart and make a triple strand necklace for me! I can''t wait til we can afford it

 

[that_someone_special]

It''s always satisfying to find what you''re looking for.

 

[jmtomaui]

I''m so glad that you found what you were looking for!

 

[MeowMeow]

Swedish bean and jmtomaui: I agree! Thanks to you both! As soon as it is restrung (probably at the end of this month of early febuary I will take a picture or two of it and post it up here!

 

[MeowMeow]

Okay well I see I might have trouble posting pictures but I am gunna try anyways! This is my 48 inch necklace restrung by my neighbor!! and I even had pearls left over!

 

[that_someone_special]

eee! Looks great!

How are you normally wearing it then?.. or how many ways are you wearing it?

ETA-- ok nm I get it! lol it was restrung into a 3 strand right?

 

[MeowMeow]

Swedish Bean: Yesh a three strand necklace I didnt quite have enough pearls to make a fourth strand but she can either make me a set of earring jackets with what it left over (I believe that is the term for only making the bottom part of an earring and then attaching it to different posts whenever I want? Correct me if I am misunderstanding!) or I can save them and buy some more loose ones and make a triple strand bracelet as well in six months, or buy a few more and whenever this string gets weak I can have them add in the fourth strand at that point. Choices choices!! Heehee


Before it was redone I usually looped it around my head twice, one loop choker style and the other loop kept long.

And thank you! I'm glad you like them!