Looking for large white pearl studs - are WSS for me?

[Pearlescence]

I advise caution with Edisons and other bead nucleated pearls. Until the GIA reports again there is the chance that what seems super shiny is the result of over-use of optical brighteners, which may not last. At least ask how long the pearls have been in stock (very much also applies to purples which demonstrably fade)

 

[Crystal_Dreams]

Edisons would be your cheap trial of new pearls option for scratching this particular itch. WSS would be the more expensive (by many many times) option, but given you were considering shell pearls and mentioned not blowing the budget, they seemed to fit the bill.
I would check Etsy for Edison’s. Neither takahashi or moline would sell them. These are usually from sellers out of China. I wouldn’t be bothering with certification for pearls like that- particularly not from GIA who are pretty darn useless with pearls anyway!

 

[katbran]

I just deleted a long response on the treatment of pearls as I decided I was going off the rails a bit .
I think as long as you don't overspend on some bead nucleated pearls and treat them as fashion jewellery then they are fine. I mean you can spend hundreds on plated CZ encrusted designer earrings that will be unfashionable in two years... so if you get 5 years out of your Edison/Ming pearls - nothing lost really. And you can easily get many years out of them.

These nucleated pearls are sold by many high end jewelers . The people that don't sell them tend to be those who specialise ... like the Japanese sellers of Akoya and South Sea.

 

[Pearlescence]

Bead nucleated pearls are fine so long as your supplier has had them in stock for long enough for any treatments to fade (six months?). The GIA recently reported on optical brighteners and purple dyes and will be doing a follow-up on the same pearls in due course to see what happens after time passes.

 

[yssie]

Here’s one GIA article on OBAs btw. This is the only one I’ve personally read, I ran into it a few months ago - not sure if Pearlescence is referencing this or another paper.

https://www.gia.edu/doc/SU20-optical-whitening-brightening-of-pearls.pdf

 

[pearaffair]

Ok you all are amazing, you’ve given me so much more to look into! And also I realize I wasn’t super clear: I have two budgets. I want to spend a little bit of money (low budget) determining the right size for me. This involves buying cheapies and/or fakes just to get the sizing right. Then I want to spend $1-2k on a really incredible pair. More than that and I’d probably be afraid to wear them. But I’m hoping that kind of budget can get me something beautiful, large enough, and very white (not pinked). I’m enjoying the research phase and really appreciate everyone sharing their hard-earned wisdom!

 

[yssie]

1-2k should get you very nice WSS in the 9-11 size range!
And if you want to go larger - Edisons up to 13mm should be well under $200 I should think!

 

[pearaffair]

1-2k should get you very nice WSS in the 9-11 size range!
And if you want to go larger - Edisons up to 13mm should be well under $200 I should think!

This is very helpful to know! Sounds like I’m on the right track!

I think my first step will be to try on the sizes to narrow my search. I’ll post ear pics so all of you can help me decide. And while I wait for my trial sizes to arrive, I’ll keep researching. I’m attracted to WSS (yours were the first I’ve seen, yssie!!) because they’re so WHITE and big!! But I’m eager to learn if white freshwater might also be an option for me. Off to research!!

 

[pearaffair]

And just because this thread needs more pics: my cheap strand from wen pearls on Etsy. It was thanks to this necklace that I first learned how much I prefer white pearls over pinked (for me).

 

[katbran]

Yessie is close on price but there is a big price difference in any jump in mm.
for your information I’ll just stick with one size .
You can get a very nice but not incredible pair of WSS around 10mm for an about 1.5-2k for round . Top quality will definitely run well over 2k Other shapes will be a bit less . Sometimes you get lucky and find a good deal on an off round that basically looks round and that can save hundreds.
Edison prices are up a bit and the high end ones are hard to find . 10mm -11 mm is quite affordable in a grade just under top. Larger 11-12mm from a big wholesaler on ETSY is around what Yssie said - top quality will be more.

 

[dk168]

Buttons are more affordable and may be easier to wear in large sizes compare with rounds.

DK

 

[pearaffair]

Yessie is close on price but there is a big price difference in any jump in mm.
for your information I’ll just stick with one size .
You can get a very nice but not incredible pair of WSS around 10mm for an about 1.5-2k for round . Top quality will definitely run well over 2k Other shapes will be a bit less . Sometimes you get lucky and find a good deal on an off round that basically looks round and that can save hundreds.
Edison prices are up a bit and the high end ones are hard to find . 10mm -11 mm is quite affordable in a grade just under top. Larger 11-12mm from a big wholesaler on ETSY is around what Yssie said - top quality will be more.

Ok, thank you! Very helpful to know ballpark ranges.

 

[pearaffair]

Buttons are more affordable and may be easier to wear in large sizes compare with rounds.

DK

I have some cheap buttons that work well but I have to admit I don’t feel the same about the button shape! I’ll have to see how I feel when it adjusts the price tag by hundreds instead of $5 haha

 

[yssie]

@pearaffair Katbran has some Edisons!!

Katbran on Instagram: "Mmmmmmk yum #freshwaterpearls#edison#mingpearls#pearlearrings"

104 likes, 6 comments - pearlzaustraliaFebruary 10, 2022 on : "Mmmmmmk yum #freshwaterpearls#edison#mingpearls#pearlearrings".

www.instagram.com

 

[LHethrington]

My sweet spot for round pearl studs is 10-11mm -- and I have large ear lobes. This pearl is 11mm.

Wow - gorgeous studs!

 

[RosieR]

Hello @pearaffair how are you getting on with your search?
I’ve also decided I’d like a pair of 11-12 wss and would love to follow along with your journey.

 

[katbran]

One of the best ways to save money on South Sea is to look ,, or ask someone to look, for a pair of Gem lustre with a flaw that can be hidden by the drill hole and stud cup. This can easily knock hundreds of dollars off a pair. Or.. the shape called High Button - this is great for larger sizes like 11-12 + as these pearls have a slightly flatter side that sits on the earlobe - more contact and support yet they look round when worn. Again this takes hundreds off the price.

As I deal in pearls I can't add much more but these two 'tricks' will save you a good deal of money though you may have to wait a bit for someone to find them for you.

Also keep in mind that WSS with pink overtones are not as pink as 'pinked Akoya' it's very faint and they look white.