J. Crew pearls? Buying my first pearl necklace

[greyhouse]

I like multistrand pearls. The J crew ones are 99 euros, sweet water pearls, no more description.

Finland is expensive and buying stuff abroad I need pay 24% VAT. So for me 99 euros, free shipping and no extra taxes sound okay. But it's an online store, so I can't check them out in person?

What do you think?

 

[boerumbiddy]

J. Crew is a mid-price clothing retailer. Pretty good quality. But I never knew they sold anything but costume jewelry!

 

[boerumbiddy]

They do have a separate "fine jewelry " section with a few simple gold pieces. They don't consider sweet water or freshwater pearls to be fine jewelry. I think that if you like the way they look and the price, you can expect to get something like what you see in the catalogue. Just don't expect fine jewelry.

 

[boerumbiddy]

The ones I see like that in my online catalogue are labeled acrylic and cost Much less.

 

[boerumbiddy]

Sorry for the multiple posts. They do have some actual freshwater pearls for $298 , but they got a bad review, saying to buy the costume ones instead. https://www.jcrew.com/p/womens_category/finejewelry/pearls/freshwater-pearl-hammock-necklace/a3696?isFromSearch=true&color_name=pearl&N=0&Nloc=en&Ntrm=Pearls&Npge=1&Nrpp=60&Nsrt=0

 

[NacreLover]

I like multistrand pearls. The J crew ones are 99 euros, sweet water pearls, no more description.

Finland is expensive and buying stuff abroad I need pay 24% VAT. So for me 99 euros, free shipping and no extra taxes sound okay. But it's an online store, so I can't check them out in person?

What do you think?

The pearls you show are faux. No where do they indicate they are freshwater. Info from their site.

SIZE & FIT
Length: 21".
PRODUCT DETAILS
We strung graduated rows of hand-wrapped pearls slightly askew to create that perfectly imperfect look.

Acrylic and glass pearls, brass.
14k gold plating.
Import.
Item 22599.

 

[greyhouse]

Thank you for the feedback.

I think I'm going to buy something simple but great quality in stead. Maybe start out with a single strand of small white pearls for work and see if I like pearls on me or if just admire them on other people.

Any recommedations for an online store outside the US? Any successes on eBay?

 

[NacreLover]

Why not just look for them in your own country in a Jewelry store? I know a retail seller in Germany and a couple in Australia but if you have to pay a vat tax it may be cheaper to buy at home.

 

[greyhouse]

Finland is part of the EU so no VAT from Germany! I'd love to know which retailer.

Pearls don't seem to be that popular here. I looked through four local chain jewelry stores and found one pearl necklace. It was 249 euros for a short single strand necklace, small pearl size, silver lock. Freshwater pearls, no other info.

There are nicer jewelry stores here that sell luxury brands, but the prices are more than I could afford.

 

[NacreLover]

Ok. I will ask him the name of his store. I will send you a link when I get a reply.

 

[NacreLover]

I contacted a friend who knows him to get the information faster. Raik Werner, is his name, this is his website. https://www.edelkontor.de/... He comes highly recommended and sells quality pearls. If you don't find something there I can find another vendor in France I also met.

 

[Pearlescence]

You would not have to pay any more tax or duty if you buy from a seller in any of the 28 (still) member states of the EU. Plus you will be protected by all the power of EU consumer law on selling over the internet - no quibble returns with full refunds for example.
It is only when buying from a non-EU country that you will have to pay duty and VAT as you are then importing something into the EU

 

[greyhouse]

I just want to thank you for being so incredibly helpful to a total stranger

 

[greyhouse]

NacreLover, could you give me the name of the French retailer also?

 

[NacreLover]

Sure, I will have to ask my friend because I am not sure what their store name is. Be back soon with the info.

 

[NacreLover]

This is the french vendor. Hope this helps. http://www.netperles.com/index.htm