Date: 6/18/2009 10:07:35 PM
Author: Skippy123
Here is a neck shot (Starshine) of both Freshadamas and AAA''s, thank you for your sweet words szho7, Kelli, Starshine, and Browneyedgirl.
The golden akoyas are dyed. I don''t know if that will affect your decision.Date: 6/19/2009 8:47:47 AM
Author: Skippy123
I would get no. 4!!!!
Oh that is funny you say that!!! I went to look at them while visiting my parents and put both on! My mom thought they looked stunning together and I have such a sweet mom, she looked at me and told me to keep them (no way would I let that happen, never I bought them for her). I told her I would mind borrowing them though. hehe
They sold out so quickly that I have a feeling that you''ll get another chance to scoop them up!
Hmmn...I kind of thought/assumed the gem grade was close or really comparable to Freshadama, but I guess not..? That is so sad to hear! I don''t think you are being too picky, I read their grading criteria for gem grade, and I thought they were supposed to be individually selected, etc. How much is the restocking fee? Plus postage to go back too..Date: 6/20/2009 12:45:12 AM
Author: Kelli
So I got my lavender ''gem grade'' freshwaters today and I have mixed feelings. Part of me loves them because this is my first strand of pearls ever and at a glance they''re pretty. But then another part of me thinks gem-grade my @$$!! I thought gem-grade meant that the surfaces of the pearls were supposed to be just about immaculate, and the three different pairs of Freshadama studs I''ve ordered as gifts have been. But these have flaws that are very easy to find, and MANY of the pearls are out of round. I don''t get it.I can''t post pics right now because I don''t have my laptop with me, but maybe Sunday or Monday I''ll show you what I mean. I don''t want to complain too much, since they were half the original price, but I can''t help feeling a little ripped since the flaws are so easy to find. There''s a re-stocking fee too. I wonder if I am being too picky? They really are still pretty, they just don''t compare at all to the freshadamas.
I think I posted this in the Gem/Presidential/Freshadama thread, but I had a similar experience with Freshadama earrings. I ordered loose freshadamas and had earrings made. The pearls had many more flaws than any AAA pearls I've purchased.Date: 6/20/2009 12:45:12 AM
Author: Kelli
So I got my lavender 'gem grade' freshwaters today and I have mixed feelings. Part of me loves them because this is my first strand of pearls ever and at a glance they're pretty. But then another part of me thinks gem-grade my @$$!! I thought gem-grade meant that the surfaces of the pearls were supposed to be just about immaculate, and the three different pairs of Freshadama studs I've ordered as gifts have been. But these have flaws that are very easy to find, and MANY of the pearls are out of round. I don't get it.I can't post pics right now because I don't have my laptop with me, but maybe Sunday or Monday I'll show you what I mean. I don't want to complain too much, since they were half the original price, but I can't help feeling a little ripped since the flaws are so easy to find. There's a re-stocking fee too. I wonder if I am being too picky? They really are still pretty, they just don't compare at all to the freshadamas.
I was thinking about it this morning, and I''m wondering if the items on their sales page are "borderline" pearls. So, the gem quality pearls are the ones that barely qualify as gem quality. Likewise, AAA would be those on the lower end of AAA. Since there''s a range within each grade level, I wonder if they save the top end of the gem quality inventory for customers who pay full price. Maybe that''s why we''re being underwhelmed.Date: 6/20/2009 8:06:48 PM
Author: Skippy123
Yay, I want to see these!!!!
Starshine and Kelli, I would call them and tell them how you feel about them; they have been helpful on the phone when I talked to them about your disappointment. I am sorry.
I was thinking the same thing, and I can see the logic in it. I''ve decided to keep mine because I love them more each time I look at them, even with the slight imperfections. And from normal viewing distance, I don''t think anyone else will notice.Date: 6/22/2009 11:50:53 AM
Author: brightlight
I was thinking about it this morning, and I''m wondering if the items on their sales page are ''borderline'' pearls. So, the gem quality pearls are the ones that barely qualify as gem quality. Likewise, AAA would be those on the lower end of AAA. Since there''s a range within each grade level, I wonder if they save the top end of the gem quality inventory for customers who pay full price. Maybe that''s why we''re being underwhelmed.Date: 6/20/2009 8:06:48 PM
Author: Skippy123
Yay, I want to see these!!!!
Starshine and Kelli, I would call them and tell them how you feel about them; they have been helpful on the phone when I talked to them about your disappointment. I am sorry.
I''m waiting until I have a chance to compare my 9 mm gem freshwaters to my PP AAA pearls before I post a detailed review. Overall, I''m pleased b/c I only paid $350 (compared to $382 for 8-9 mm AAAs at PP). However, I wouldn''t have paid full price for the particular strand I got. It has more surface markings than any of my AAA strands. The luster is NOT that much better than my AAAs, but it is better. The roundness is better than my AAA freshwaters. There''s only one VERY SLIGHTLY off-round pearl.
Kelli, what is this teaser about??Date: 6/24/2009 1:37:28 PM
Author: Kelli
Oh MAN!!! I would LOVE to have those. But I CANNOT spend more money. I may or may not have spent a little moolah at pearl paradise this week...Somebody please tell me to stop! My fiancee''s birthday is in two days and I''ve got NOTHING! (Men are sooooo hard to shop for).
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