Did I actually buy a Tahitian strand, really?

[Babyblue033]

As you know, I only recently got my very first pearl necklace, a basic FWP white strand from PP. I've learned there's so much to learn about pearls, so much more than white pearl necklaces of my mother, different types, colors, SO may beautiful varieties! Of everything, Tahitian pearls in particular caught my eyes and I put it on my wish list of dream necklace to have one day. Multicolor strand @ILikeShiny recently got for her wedding became my inspiration.

I don't even know how it happened, I saw this on IG one day, inquired about it totally thinking I could never afford it, and it was surprisingly reasonably priced. Knowing the vendor has great reputation, I took a risk and ordered it. It arrived today and... I have no words to describe it, honest.

Vendor photo.


My photo in the white box.



I tried neck photos but they all came out flat, which they're not. I'll try it again tomorrow. I love that overall tones are cool blue/green/gray, with minimal copper/gold, which I feel doesn't look good on my skintone, and I'm so in LOVE with that 1 white pearl Pearls do have blemishes, which I did notice right away and bothered me at first, but more I look at it more I'm focused on colors & luster, and less on imperfections.

I have to string it of course. Should I actually learn to do it myself or get it professionally done at a local jeweler? I don't have a good jeweler near by...

I'm also not sure about how long I want the necklace to be. My white FWP is 18" but I bought a shortner because I felt it's a little long. These are also larger, 11-13mm, should I remove a few pearls to make it more like 16"? And maybe use the extras to make dangle earrings?

Is it weird that I'm both excited and nervous about it? Like, OMG what have I done, did I do ok, I can't wait to wear it, butterflies in my stomach kind of thing

 

[pearlsngems]

it's a beauty-- from Cees, right? I think you did great! They are beautiful! Luster definitely makes small blemishes less noticeable, too.

As far as the length, you can do whatever looks and feels good on your neck. The larger the pearls, the longer the strand has to be to hang at any given length-- because the diameter of the pearls is larger and makes for a snugger fit around your neck. An 18" strand of 8mm pearls, for example, will hang lower than an 18" strand of 11-13mm pearls.

Knots also add length-- figure about 0.3-0.5mm per knot.

You could make earrings with leftover pearls, certainly, or you could use extra pearls to make an extender. To do this make sure you buy 2 of the same kind of clasp for the necklace as for the extender so they can interconnect. Many of us like the "orbit" (a.k.a. oval push clasps) sold by Pearl Paradise, Rio Grande and others. I like the small silver one that is rhodium plated, but they come in larger sizes too. The larger ones are a bit stiffer but would suit your size pearls more.

On the other pearl forum there are tutorials for how to string your own pearls .. I string my own and it's easy, especially if you use Beaders Secret (a strong, slippery polyester thread that comes in many colors) instead of silk. You won't need any special tools. Just some flexible wire needles, and for a professional looking finish, some gimp or French wire. See PatriciaSaabDesigns on Etsy for thread, needs, gimp etc. I buy from her (not affiliated.)

 

[Babyblue033]

it's a beauty-- from Cees, right? I think you did great! They are beautiful! Luster definitely makes small blemishes less noticeable, too.

As far as the length, you can do whatever looks and feels good on your neck. The larger the pearls, the longer the strand has to be to hang at any given length-- because the diameter of the pearls is larger and makes for a snugger fit around your neck. An 18" strand of 8mm pearls, for example, will hang lower than an 18" strand of 11-13mm pearls.

Knots also add length-- figure about 0.3-0.5mm per knot.

You could make earrings with leftover pearls, certainly, or you could use extra pearls to make an extender. To do this make sure you buy 2 of the same kind of clasp for the necklace as for the extender so they can interconnect. Many of us like the "orbit" (a.k.a. oval push clasps) sold by Pearl Paradise, Rio Grande and others. I like the small silver one that is rhodium plated, but they come in larger sizes too. The larger ones are a bit stiffer but would suit your size pearls more.

On the other pearl forum there are tutorials for how to string your own pearls .. I string my own and it's easy, especially if you use Beaders Secret (a strong, slippery polyester thread that comes in many colors) instead of silk. You won't need any special tools. Just some flexible wire needles, and for a professional looking finish, some gimp or French wire. See PatriciaSaabDesigns on Etsy for thread, needs, gimp etc. I buy from her (not affiliated.)

Yes they're from Cees! I've read about people getting such nice Tahitians from him before, when I saw the photos on his IG I had to reach out.

Thank you so much for such a wealth of info! I think I haven't quite figured out my preference when it comes to necklace length, what looks good with most of my warddrobe, etc. I did feel like my 18" FWP was a bit too long but I haven't worn it much yet. Extender is a good idea, I'll consider it.

Off to the other forum to read about stringing

 

[pearlsngems]

I will private-message you there.

 

[BlingDreams]

As you know, I only recently got my very first pearl necklace, a basic FWP white strand from PP. I've learned there's so much to learn about pearls, so much more than white pearl necklaces of my mother, different types, colors, SO may beautiful varieties! Of everything, Tahitian pearls in particular caught my eyes and I put it on my wish list of dream necklace to have one day. Multicolor strand @ILikeShiny recently got for her wedding became my inspiration.

I don't even know how it happened, I saw this on IG one day, inquired about it totally thinking I could never afford it, and it was surprisingly reasonably priced. Knowing the vendor has great reputation, I took a risk and ordered it. It arrived today and... I have no words to describe it, honest.

Vendor photo.


My photo in the white box.



I tried neck photos but they all came out flat, which they're not. I'll try it again tomorrow. I love that overall tones are cool blue/green/gray, with minimal copper/gold, which I feel doesn't look good on my skintone, and I'm so in LOVE with that 1 white pearl Pearls do have blemishes, which I did notice right away and bothered me at first, but more I look at it more I'm focused on colors & luster, and less on imperfections.

I have to string it of course. Should I actually learn to do it myself or get it professionally done at a local jeweler? I don't have a good jeweler near by...

I'm also not sure about how long I want the necklace to be. My white FWP is 18" but I bought a shortner because I felt it's a little long. These are also larger, 11-13mm, should I remove a few pearls to make it more like 16"? And maybe use the extras to make dangle earrings?

Is it weird that I'm both excited and nervous about it? Like, OMG what have I done, did I do ok, I can't wait to wear it, butterflies in my stomach kind of thing

Thank you for the compliment ! And if my strand was your inspiration I'd say you did great!!! I love the color variations and of course I'm a sucker for the larger pearls

I think that 18" is a great length for a necklace when the pearls are this large. When it's 16" it's more like a choker and somewhat limited in its wearability. I'd also have it professionally strung and then practice stringing on your own with a less-expensive strand

 

[Babyblue033]

It's so hard to get accurate colors to show up in photos... In reality the colors are a little more muted and color variations are more obvious, but I can't stop looking at it, colors are just mesmerizing

 

[Lykame]

That is just an obscenely gorgeous necklace. Oh my god.

I have never really paid attention to pearls, but those are out of this world.

I can see you specifically commented on that one white pearl so I suspect you're happy with it exactly where it is, but I just thought I would share my first thought when I looked at the pictures before reading your post, if that's okay? I had hearts coming out of my eyes whilst thinking it: I would really want to take that one whiter pearl, and make a really simple necklace with that single pearl. I would want it for the days where I couldn't wear the full chain, so that I still had a bit of a sample of the full chain. There's just something about that one specific pearl (because it stands out in a striking way next to all the other striking pearls, if that even makes sense)... And then have the rest for your necklace as above. Or even do that with that one pearl, plus taking another two out for matching earrings, and then also that chain.

Oh my gosh, so many decisions! What a lovely dilemma to have.

Wow boy was it a mistake to come into this forum, I was like, oh it'll be safe, not that big a fan of pearls... er...

 

[pearlsngems]

It's stunning! Congratulations!

 

[BlingDreams]

Wow boy was it a mistake to come into this forum, I was like, oh it'll be safe, not that big a fan of pearls... er...

This is EXACTLY how I got hooked

 

[mtsapphirelovingannie]

Congrats!

 

[Hayley87]

It's so hard to get accurate colors to show up in photos... In reality the colors are a little more muted and color variations are more obvious, but I can't stop looking at it, colors are just mesmerizing

Wow wow wow Gorgeous!

(I follow something like 10 pearl vendors on IG, but who’s Cees? I don’t think I’m following him...? )

 

[pearlsngems]

Cees is Cees Van Oije of Amsterdam Pearls.

 

[Babyblue033]

I can't believe it but I just finished stringing my necklace! My very first pearl necklace I put together myself! I gotta say, it was way easier than I expected, good thing too because I'm gonna re-do it to make it bit shorter.

Not the best lighting in my room but here is all finished!

 

[Lykame]

Stunning!

Really suits you!

And if you're making it a bit shorter... what will you do with the spare pearls?!

 

[pearlsngems]

It looks wonderful!
Spare pearls are great for dangle earrings. Wire wrapping is easy too! All you need is a head pin, an earring finding (hook, leverback etc.) and a pair of round nose pliers to bend the wire. Oh, and a wire cutter to nip off the wire tail when done.

 

[Babyblue033]

Stunning!

Really suits you!

And if you're making it a bit shorter... what will you do with the spare pearls?!

It looks wonderful!
Spare pearls are great for dangle earrings. Wire wrapping is easy too! All you need is a head pin, an earring finding (hook, leverback etc.) and a pair of round nose pliers to bend the wire. Oh, and a wire cutter to nip off the wire tail when done.

You guys are mind readers, I was thinking about the spare pearls next

I ended up with 8 extra pearls. I thought maybe I can add a few extra pearls to make a bracelet, but I dont think I'll wear it much. Dangle earrings however is much more wearable...

 

[Lykame]

You guys are mind readers, I was thinking about the spare pearls next

I ended up with 8 extra pearls. I thought maybe I can add a few extra pearls to make a bracelet, but I dont think I'll wear it much. Dangle earrings however is much more wearable...

Dangly earrings would be great!

Are you a brooch kinda girl? A circular brooch of pearls interchanged with tiny diamonds or other gemstone(s) of choice would be lovely... Or smaller smaller Tahitian pearls?

 

[GliderPoss]

Gorgeous necklace! I actually like the one white pearl, it’s like a beauty spot...

 

[Babyblue033]

Dangly earrings would be great!

Are you a brooch kinda girl? A circular brooch of pearls interchanged with tiny diamonds or other gemstone(s) of choice would be lovely... Or smaller smaller Tahitian pearls?

I've never been a brooch girl but I've been liking some of the mikimoto pins lately so I might totally be open to a brooch idea.

Gorgeous necklace! I actually like the one white pearl, it’s like a beauty spot...

That white one is actually my favorite, I just love it. I wish I can bring it down further so it's more visible (I shortened the strand so it sits higher up now) but because the pearls are graduated in size I can't move it too much without it looking out of place. I adjusted the pearls a little to bring it down as much as I can and also put a darker one next to it so it would pop more, it's the star of the necklace

 

[pearlsngems]

White pearls tend to look larger than dark pearls even when they are the same size (just as white clothes make us look larger and dark clothes make us look slimmer). You might be able to bring it down a bit.

 

[peacechick]

Your pearls are absolutely amazing. Such lustre!
How about removing a few of the larger ones from the bottom instead of the ones from the top so that the white one can come lower down. You can make a pendant with those for days when you want to be more casual or for wearing on a metal chain. Since you have different sizes, you could even make a wavy journey style pendant.

 

[Babyblue033]

White pearls tend to look larger than dark pearls even when they are the same size (just as white clothes make us look larger and dark clothes make us look slimmer). You might be able to bring it down a bit.

How about removing a few of the larger ones from the bottom instead of the ones from the top so that the white one can come lower down.

I took both of your great advice and restrung the necklace for the 3rd (and hopefully final) time.

Photograph makes colors look all muddy but I finally like the length and white pearl is a bit further down than before.


I really enjoy pearl stringing! I wish I had more strands to string. LOL!

 

[pearlsngems]

That looks really nice!! I love the placement of the white pearl.

And now you have larger pearls to make dangle earrings with.

Since you enjoy stringing, I foresee more strands in your future.

 

[katbran]

That looks great ! For a first time knotting experience you should be very pleased. Beaders Secret is so easy to use, nice and slippery !!

 

[Babyblue033]

That looks really nice!! I love the placement of the white pearl.

And now you have larger pearls to make dangle earrings with.

Since you enjoy stringing, I foresee more strands in your future.

As a matter of fact, I just finished another project. Just need to take some photos so I can share, this one was a bit more tricky.

That looks great ! For a first time knotting experience you should be very pleased. Beaders Secret is so easy to use, nice and slippery !!

Thank you. I don't have experience using other threads but I could totally imagine how tough it would be trying to get the knots to sit properly. Beaders Secret was so easy to use!

 

[Babyblue033]

Forgot to post the latest photo that shows the colors better. Love the contrast of light and dark pearls.

 

[dkata]

You could even make a tin cup necklace from the leftover pearls. Even 5 pearls are enough for a tincup, and you could layer it with your strand.

From the 3 pcs. leftover you could even make a pair of earrings and a pendant! The possibilities are endless!!