Need Advice for a Triple Strand of Pearls

[Fabulous50]

Hi all! I am daydreaming about a triple strand of pearls. I know I want good quality, but I also don't want to go too high on the price! I found Takahashi from this forum, but I will need to know what I want first, lol. I already have three different strands of pearls, but I did not buy them myself, so I don't know about the quality, etc. I just know that I dearly love them all!! I have attached pictures here.
The first strand used to be my mother's, a gift from my father almost 60 years ago from Tiffany's, but she basically kept it in her safety deposit box because she doesn't like pearls. Once I discovered them and asked to wear them, she let me take them and keep them.
The second strand is a very long (but not quite opera) strand that my father gifted me upon graduation from high school, and I have worn them, mostly doubled, pretty regularly since then. I think my mother's pearls are higher quality.
The third strand was a gift from my hubby for our 10th wedding anniversary, and they are black Tahitian south sea pearls, graduated, rated by GLA but I dont know oif that is a good rating agency for pearls.

I suppose I should go to Mikimoto, Tiffany's, etc. to see if they have triple strands I can try on to try to get a sense of the length, pearl size, quality, etc. that I might want. Does anyone have any thoughts on how I should proceed, things I might want to rule out, or any other advice you can think of? Thanks so much!!!

 

[seaurchin]

You could also google different pearl sizes in triple strands and see them in some models or buy inexpensive fakes.

As for your concerns about price, one option is to consider high quality freshwater pearls instead of akoyas. Pearl Paradise, for ex, has many to choose from.

 

[dk168]

I would advise looking for a triple strand clasp that you like first, as they are not that common.

Then think about whether you would like the strands to be twisted or separate and graduated etc...

Triples are almost certain to be a custom job.

Graduated ones are not that easy to find nowadays in new pearl strands.

DK

 

[Fabulous50]

You could also google different pearl sizes in triple strands and see them in some models or buy inexpensive fakes.

As for your concerns about price, one option is to consider high quality freshwater pearls instead of akoyas. Pearl Paradise, for ex, has many to choose from.

I would advise looking for a triple strand clasp that you like first, as they are not that common.

Then think about whether you would like the strands to be twisted or separate and graduated etc...

Triples are almost certain to be a custom job.

Graduated ones are not that easy to find nowadays in new pearl strands.

DK

Thank you both, and good points. I hadn't thought about the clasp!

 

[Pearlescence]

Everything is more expensive than simply tripling the price of one strand. Clasps will have more than three times the metal usually and a triple strand usually takes close to four loose strands. They are also very time consuming to get to sit properly - The late Queen had a strand which never nested properly.

 

[yssie]

Some more things to ruminate on, off the top of my head -

Do you want a triple strand where all three strands nest tightly together?

How long?

Or a “neck mess” sort of deal with varying lengths?

All three with the same size pearl size? Graduated?

All three with the same pearl colour?


There’s so much sentiment in those three gift strands Please wear them and love them!!

 

[Fabulous50]

Some more things to ruminate on, off the top of my head -

Do you want a triple strand where all three strands nest tightly together?

How long?

Or a “neck mess” sort of deal with varying lengths?

All three with the same size pearl size? Graduated?

All three with the same pearl colour?


There’s so much sentiment in those three gift strands Please wear them and love them!!

Thank you, @yssie! I think what I have learned here is that I don't know what I want yet, lol. I guess I will start the fun journey of trying things on and narrowing down!

I do know that I want them nestled together, not a "neck mess" - I love that look too, but I already kind of achieve it my wearing my white pearl necklaces together, sometimes. And I also know I want all the same colour. Not sure about graduated - I will have to explore that. Also not sure about length, but not a choker.

Thank you for your comments about my pearls, I do love them so much. I love the way pearls feel, and how they glow.

 

[yssie]

Thank you, @yssie! I think what I have learned here is that I don't know what I want yet, lol. I guess I will start the fun journey of trying things on and narrowing down!

I do know that I want them nestled together, not a "neck mess" - I love that look too, but I already kind of achieve it my wearing my white pearl necklaces together, sometimes. And I also know I want all the same colour. Not sure about graduated - I will have to explore that. Also not sure about length, but not a choker.

Thank you for your comments about my pearls, I do love them so much. I love the way pearls feel, and how they glow.

The figuring it out is half the fun

For three strands nested tightly, I personally prefer when all pearls in each strand are the same size. Vs. pearls (within each strand) graduating in size. I think having all the pearls in each strand be the same size makes it easier to nest them nicely too... But varying that size between the three strands could be interesting and unique?

This style is pretty, and a little more forgiving on the nesting -




Is this too choker-ey for you?




I think for longer triple strands you'd have to put separators in at regular intervals to keep them from shifting, otherwise they'd go out of alignment pretty quickly...

 

[Fabulous50]

You are so right, and I am looking forward to the trying it on phase, ha ha! I love the top one you pictured, and the one on Angeline Jolie. I wonder if she borrower them for the occasion? I cant remember seeing her in that necklace again.
Jackie O's are indeed too choker-ey for me, although I admire them on her.
The first picture is interesting, because the pearls look lovely, but not perfectly round, am I right?
I think Queen Elizabeth's are graduated, right? Within each strand, and maybe also strand by strand?

 

[yssie]

You are so right, and I am looking forward to the trying it on phase, ha ha! I love the top one you pictured, and the one on Angeline Jolie. I wonder if she borrower them for the occasion? I cant remember seeing her in that necklace again.
Jackie O's are indeed too choker-ey for me, although I admire them on her.
The first picture is interesting, because the pearls look lovely, but not perfectly round, am I right?
I think Queen Elizabeth's are graduated, right? Within each strand, and maybe also strand by strand?

I think the queen’s are both graduated within each strand and graduated between strands! I found these pics in the royal jewels thread - that thread is a wealth of knowledge about the world’s royal bling and @Daisys and Diamonds is a regular!! Daisy d’you happen to have any info on this strand?

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/royal-jewels.73838/page-420#post-4536276
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/royal-jewels.73838/page-445#post-4672100
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/royal-jewels.73838/page-538#post-5179623

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I think the queen’s are both graduated within each strand and graduated between strands! I found these pics in the royal jewels thread - that thread is a wealth of knowledge about the world’s royal bling and @Daisys and Diamonds is a regular!! Daisy d’you happen to have any info on this strand?

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/royal-jewels.73838/page-420#post-4536276
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/royal-jewels.73838/page-445#post-4672100
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/royal-jewels.73838/page-538#post-5179623

the Queen had so many pearls i never even tried to get aquanted with them on an indarvidual basis
@prince.of.preslav and @dk168 have a much better eye than i

i was just always happy to see HM in pearls
When the Queen was just a small girl her grandpa England (George V) gave her a 2 strand (and little Margret Rose a one strand) for his silver jubilee

then for Elizabeth's wedding her father George V! gave her the Queen Caroline and Queen Ann necklace - i think some of the oldest jewles in the royal fault -names in history to us, but ancestors to the Queen
i would think the history was not lost on the then Princess Elizabeth and as those were heirloms of the crown i look forward to seeing them again soon
I would think that then ew King would know what is what

a few years ago there was a that thing on TV where the Queen was holding the imperial state crown and showing us Elizabeth 1's pearls, the late Queen certainly knew pearls need to be worn to be happy,
i think that's the one takeaway (Jewel wise) we should take from the long life of Queen Elizabeth, wear your pearls

 

[prince.of.preslav]

the Queen had so many pearls i never even tried to get aquanted with them on an indarvidual basis
@prince.of.preslav and @dk168 have a much better eye than i

i was just always happy to see HM in pearls
When the Queen was just a small girl her grandpa England (George V) gave her a 2 strand (and little Margret Rose a one strand) for his silver jubilee

then for Elizabeth's wedding her father George V! gave her the Queen Caroline and Queen Ann necklace - i think some of the oldest jewles in the royal fault -names in history to us, but ancestors to the Queen
i would think the history was not lost on the then Princess Elizabeth and as those were heirloms of the crown i look forward to seeing them again soon
I would think that then ew King would know what is what

a few years ago there was a that thing on TV where the Queen was holding the imperial state crown and showing us Elizabeth 1's pearls, the late Queen certainly knew pearls need to be worn to be happy,
i think that's the one takeaway (Jewel wise) we should take from the long life of Queen Elizabeth, wear your pearls

The late Queen did have a treasure trove of pearl necklaces! Obviously, her favourites were three rows made in the start of her reign using ''family pearls'' (1), but her first 3-row necklace was a an early gift from ''Grandpa England'' (George V) in 1935, when she was just a 9 year-old Princess (2).
(1)

(2)


The usual three strands are graduated, yes. There is also a small difference in pearl size between the strands. One thing that's interesting is that because they were worn almost daily, the pearls were often restrung, making the gap between the strands different at each restringing. Lately, the shortest strand was a bit higher and not as neat as the lower two (3).

(3)

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

The late Queen did have a treasure trove of pearl necklaces! Obviously, her favourites were three rows made in the start of her reign using ''family pearls'' (1), but her first 3-row necklace was a an early gift from ''Grandpa England'' (George V) in 1935, when she was just a 9 year-old Princess (2).
(1)

(2)


The usual three strands are graduated, yes. There is also a small difference in pearl size between the strands. One thing that's interesting is that because they were worn almost daily, the pearls were often restrung, making the gap between the strands different at each restringing. Lately, the shortest strand was a bit higher and not as neat as the lower two (3).

(3)

you are wonderful @prince.of.preslav
you would make the Queen smile

 

[Fabulous50]

Thank you all for all of this fascinating and fun information!!! I went to mikimoto the other day and tried on the only 3 strand they had in stock, the sales lady was sure I wouldn’t love it, but I did really love it!!!

 

[Fabulous50]

Here are the stats to that necklace:
1. 6-6.5 mm, 7-7.5mm and 7.5-8mm size pearls per strand
2. 18k white gold and diamond clasp
3. Single A quality pearls
4. 18”, 20” and 22” length strands
5. $17,000 USD cost

 

[Ann]

Here are the stats to that necklace:
1. 6-6.5 mm, 7-7.5mm and 7.5-8mm size pearls per strand
2. 18k white gold and diamond clasp
3. Single A quality pearls
4. 18”, 20” and 22” length strands
5. $17,000 USD cost

Lovely! Why did the sales associate think you wouldn't like it, haha! And I thought the price would be substantially more. It's very pretty.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Thank you all for all of this fascinating and fun information!!! I went to mikimoto the other day and tried on the only 3 strand they had in stock, the sales lady was sure I wouldn’t love it, but I did really love it!!!

wow !!!



as a career shop assistant (not selling finnary but rather building materials)
some people just dont get actual selling

 

[Fabulous50]

So funny, but she kept talking about the length (which I loved) and it being A quality instead of AA or AAA. I don’t really know why she would assume those were negatives to me. I think shorter is kind of uncomfortable. Also, the price for higher quality would be so high I think!!
I also think the pearl size is good because larger would be too formal, or is that my imagination??

 

[Ann]

Thank you all for all of this fascinating and fun information!!! I went to mikimoto the other day and tried on the only 3 strand they had in stock, the sales lady was sure I wouldn’t love it, but I did really love it!!!

A bit off topic - but is that a Tiffany 16 stone band? I have it in all diamonds, one of my fav pieces ever.

 

[Fabulous50]

A bit off topic - but is that a Tiffany 16 stone band? I have it in all diamonds, one of my fav pieces ever.

Yes it is! Mine is rubies and diamonds. Is yours in all platinum, or platinum and gold? I love them all!

 

[icy_jade]

Do you prefer it with or without a gap between the strands? Mine is without gap.

 

[Ann]

Yes it is! Mine is rubies and diamonds. Is yours in all platinum, or platinum and gold? I love them all!

Platinum and gold. I absolutely love it. I was browsing in Tiffany's in Maui years ago and did not walk out of there without it! I wear 2 diamond eternity bands flanking it on my right hand.

 

[Fabulous50]

Do you prefer it with or without a gap between the strands? Mine is without gap.

That is gorgeous, @icy_jade !! I love the no-gap look too now. Do you happen to know the length of the strands? I would appreciate any other details too, that you are willing to share.

 

[icy_jade]

That is gorgeous, @icy_jade !! I love the no-gap look too now. Do you happen to know the length of the strands? I would appreciate any other details too, that you are willing to share.

They are 3.5-9.5 mm Graduated White Freshadamas from PP. I think 17, 18 and 19 inches knotted, clasp is approx 1 inch so 18, 19, 20 length with clasp. I bought 3 strands and then added another 3 inches of pearls.

Clasp was my purchase and looks like this

 

[Fabulous50]

I would advise looking for a triple strand clasp that you like first, as they are not that common.

Then think about whether you would like the strands to be twisted or separate and graduated etc...

Triples are almost certain to be a custom job.

Graduated ones are not that easy to find nowadays in new pearl strands.

DK

In case anyone is curious about this, I wanted to share something I learned. I went to a super fancy vintage jewelry store in NYC to see if they had clasps, and they told me that from time to time they get this request and they suggest taking a brooch and repurposing/modifying it for this purpose. I love this idea!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

In case anyone is curious about this, I wanted to share something I learned. I went to a super fancy vintage jewelry store in NYC to see if they had clasps, and they told me that from time to time they get this request and they suggest taking a brooch and repurposing/modifying it for this purpose. I love this idea!

i think when King Charles brought the topaz for Camila it was in a brooch setting

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

the Queen mum's brooch that was gifted as a wedding present to Diana
sorry couldnt resist posting this

 

[icy_jade]

In case anyone is curious about this, I wanted to share something I learned. I went to a super fancy vintage jewelry store in NYC to see if they had clasps, and they told me that from time to time they get this request and they suggest taking a brooch and repurposing/modifying it for this purpose. I love this idea!

It depends on whether you want the brooch to be the focal, or the pearls. If you use a brooch, then the focal is the brooch and not the pearls. Entirely your preference of course.

Triple strand clasps are easy to find at trade shows and with some searching online. Like this:

Triple Strand Necklace Clasps - Pearl & Clasp

Find the perfect triple strand necklace clasp at Pearl & Clasp. Prices starting at $30. Shop gold, silver and diamond triple strand clasps now.

www.pearlclasp.com

https://www.claspgarten.com/en

And on Etsy.

I like the ones on claspgarten but the search interface is awful.

 

[Fabulous50]

It depends on whether you want the brooch to be the focal, or the pearls. If you use a brooch, then the focal is the brooch and not the pearls. Entirely your preference of course.

Triple strand clasps are easy to find at trade shows and with some searching online. Like this:

Triple Strand Necklace Clasps - Pearl & Clasp

Find the perfect triple strand necklace clasp at Pearl & Clasp. Prices starting at $30. Shop gold, silver and diamond triple strand clasps now.

www.pearlclasp.com

https://www.claspgarten.com/en

And on Etsy.

I like the ones on claspgarten but the search interface is awful.

Thank you, this is great!!!

 

[katbran]

Excellent point made by Icy-Jade regarding the Brooch /clasp. You'd need to find a small brooch and that's not too easy.

The Pearlclasp site has proper gold clasps though I've never bought from them. I did notice they don't disclose the black freshwater as being dyed. But its hard to find a good selection of clasps. Rio Grande has a reasonable selection of Gold.