Help me pick my first pearl necklace

[suelan1006]

Hi all! Happy Thanksgiving!

I am shopping for my first pearl necklace and this forum has been extremely informative! I decided to go with takahashi due to the abundant of positive posts I have read. I asked them to send me some photos of their most lustrous 7.5 - 8.5mm Akoya pearls and below are the photos I got.

7.5-8mm


8.0-8.5mm





Then side by side:







Honestly, based on the photos, the size differences between the 7.5mm and 8mm strands is barely noticeable and to me, doesn't justify the price difference. The question is which strand of the 7.5mm should I get? I know one is more white than the other, but I don't mind the rosy tone at all!

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

I know nothing about them to give advice. I just want to say how incredibly GORGEOUS these are! Just WOW.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Those are beautiful
Lucky you

 

[Ann]

I like the 8mm strand. And I have to add that is based on very little knowledge

 

[yssie]

See how in these photos the right side of the two parallel strands always stands out as more sharp/lustrous/"metallic"?
But of course "the right sides of the two parallel strands" are different strands...



And... See how in the same photos, the top of the photo gets a bit blurry, but the strands look to be the same "quality" at the top of the photo and at the bottom of the photo? Ie. the right side of the two parallel strands looks "nicer" both at the top of the photo and at the bottom of the photo...



Now look at the reflection of the person holding the camera. In both of these photos, the person is clearly oriented like *this* relative to the strands - the strands are laid out (mostly, except for the middle bit) N/S relative to the person, so that means that they're (mostly except for the middle bit) aligned E/W for comparison...



So now you know that there's something funky going on with the lighting E/W relative to the person holding the camera (that consistently makes the right side of any two parallel strands look better) but that N/S relative to the person is more trustworthy.

This is the only photo you posted wherein the strands are laid out E/W and aligned for comparison N/S relative to the person holding the camera, so this is probably the photo that you should use to compare strands.

And based on this photo - these are *all* beautiful. Not much to compare really. I'm confident if you saw them in-person you'd love all of them.
My eyes do go to the second-to-bottom strand first in this photo. I can't justify that with any objectivity... Other than that I like a strong pink overtone with a touch of silver. And that all else equal bigger is better in my book.

 

[yssie]

My honest opinion?

Just ask the rep which one she likes best. Her eyes have yet to lead me astray.

 

[suelan1006]

My honest opinion?

Just ask the rep which one she likes best. Her eyes have yet to lead me astray.

Thank you! That's incredibly helpful. I have to point out, it was your posts that led me to takahashi in the first place

 

[Sprinkles&Stones]

Omg they are soooooo beautiful! Can’t wait to see what you choose!

 

[Sprinkles&Stones]

Also, if you’re comfortable, would you mind sharing a price range for the strands you’re looking at? I’ve messaged them before and asked but I feel bad taking up their time when I’m not immediately in the market for something.

 

[suelan1006]

Also, if you’re comfortable, would you mind sharing a price range for the strands you’re looking at? I’ve messaged them before and asked but I feel bad taking up their time when I’m not immediately in the market for something.

It is a little over 1k. Per the associate this is not their best luster actually. These are what they have available and very close to their "best." I can't wait for restock because this is a Christmas gift (from my DH to me but I am doing the shopping for him lol)
So far my experiences with them have been very positive. Very fast response and the sales associate is super patient and nice.

 

[Sprinkles&Stones]

It is a little over 1k. Per the associate this is not their best luster actually. These are what they have available and very close to their "best." I can't wait for restock because this is a Christmas gift (from my DH to me but I am doing the shopping for him lol)
So far my experiences with them have been very positive. Very fast response and the sales associate is super patient and nice.

Thank you so much for sharing! I can’t wait to see pics