Need some Akoya pearls for a wedding. Where to buy?

[roguesoul]

I am interested in some 6-6.5 mm white akoya pearls with slight rose over tone, ("AAA") (white gold post) for my wedding as I'm a petite person and the bigger ones don't look right on my ears. I have seen some at Blue Nile, PearlsofJoy, and PearlParadise. However the latter two websites have ver similar prices but Blue Nile is almost 2x as much for nearly the same product. The price at BN is about $270, and POJ is $87, and PP is $98. The discrepancy makes me worry if by buying the "cheaper" pearls (as I'm inclined to do, since I don't feel the need to go all out on these) if they are somehow not as good quality or they are not trusted websites. Any feedback? Thanks. I am a newbie to jewelry in general and a first time pearl buyer so any advice is much appreciated. Pricescope users have already helped me pick the center stone for my engagement ring and make the best informed decision I could.

 

[Siameseroo]

Hi Roguesoul! Welcome to the pearl forum!

I don't own any pearls from Bluenile but I have seen some listed pre-loved and honestly they weren't great. Bluenile specialise in diamonds, not pearl jewellery. This could explain why their prices are higher than the reputable online pearl stores - they just don't have the same buying power. I would never buy pearls from Bluenile.

Both Pearl Paradise and Pearls of Joy are vendors frequently recommended on this forum. Lots of PS members (and I dare say all who frequent the pearl forum) have purchased from one or both. I personally have purchased from both and have been happy with my pearl purchases.

I recommend contacting PoJ or PP, request their assistance in picking out a strand that meets your requirements. Don't forget to ask for a strand with the highest luster! If you ask, they will also send you photos of suitable strands and let you pick.

Good luck!

PS have you tried on 6-6.5mm pearl studs in person? That is very small! My smallest pair are 7-7.5mm and they are quite understated.

ETA my 7-7.5mm studs. 6-6.5mm will look much smaller.

 

[NacreLover]

Pearl Paradise is the largest internet pearl company in the world and their buying power saves the consumer money. If you look at the top of the list of posts you will find our Trusted Vendor sticky. I don't see blue nile on the list. [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/trusted-vendors-sticky.205233/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/trusted-vendors-sticky.205233/[/URL]

 

[pearlsngems]

I've bought many things from Pearl Paradise and can recommend them. Prices are lower because online vendors save on overhead by not having brick and mortar stores.

Ask for photos of several strands and choose the one you like best.

I concur that you are looking at a very small size. That said, my advice is to get the most lustrous pearls that your budget allows for. Highly lustrous pearls look larger than less lustrous pearls.

 

[Siameseroo]

Forgot I had a pair of 6.5mm grey freshwater pearl studs! Pictured with my 7-7.5mm lavender pearls for comparison.

 

[pearlsngems]

Sorry, I wrote strands instead of studs -- too late to edit that post.

Here are some photos showing different size studs on a model:
http://www.purepearls.com/pearl-sizes.html#pearlearringsizes

 

[NacreLover]

Something I forgot to mention also. Pearl Paradise creates items after you order them. If you need a certain length for your wedding dress's neckline they can custom create it just for you. You can see the exact strand you will receive and they can look for a exact match of your existing rose` cast pearls.