pearl pendant for under $100?

[puppylover10]

After telling him to just save $ for the wedding and not buy anything for xmas, my very thoughtful finance bought this pendant on Amazon for a xmas gift anyway:

http://www.amazon.com/Freshwater-Cultured-8-8-5mm-Pendant-Sterling/dp/B000FXW1HC/ref=pd_ybh_3?pf_rd_p=280800601&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_i=ybh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0K6AF77CYF636ZYP1DKE

but the chain is super thin and too short for me so we were thinking of getting a new chain for it but as I look around I realize I'd prefer a pendant with some more metal/ sparkle and that I might prefer a black pearl. something more like:

http://www.pearlsonly.com/pearls/customer/product.php?productid=18511&cat=519&page=1

http://www.pearlsonly.com/pearls/customer/product.php?productid=18537&cat=519&page=1&offerid=
or
http://www.pearlsonly.com/pearls/customer/product.php?productid=18516&amzads=y

So I know I'm not going to get an amazing pearl or diamonds on a pendant for the price I'm looking for but are the ones I'm looking at decent choices for the price? I don't know anything about pearls so I'm not sure if these would look cheap/trashy to someone who does???

Are there better websites to browse through? Should I just keep the one from Amazon he got and get a new chain? He is happy to return the amazon one and get a new one so his feelings are not an issue.

 

[that_someone_special]

Do you know that those are dyed pearls?

 

[iLander]

Hmmm . . . yes, I agree with Bean, those are dyed freshwater. When most people are talking about "black pearls" they usually mean naturally colored saltwater pearls from the waters around Tahiti. Some people prefer the dyed freshwater because they have a beauty all their own, so if that's your preference, there's nothing wrong with that. They are generally far less expensive than Tahitians as well. A freshwater strand of excellent quality can be a couple of hundred dollars, while a Tahitian strand starts at a few hundred and can go well into the thousands, depending on quality of the pearls.

Here are some Tahitian pendants, under $100, from a quality vendor that a couple of us have purchased from:

http://www.tahitianpearls.biz/tahitian-pearl-pendant/tahitian_cultured_pearl_pendant_with_drop_pearl_tpcb.htm

http://www.tahitianpearls.biz/tahitian-pearl-pendant/teardrop_tahitian_pearl_pendant_tpfb.htm

Here's a round one, a bit over $100:

http://www.tahitianpearls.biz/tahitian-pearl-pendant/classic-tahitian-pearl-pendant-tpvb.htm

With the pendents I'm linking, the value is in the pearl itself, so there is less metal/gold. It depends on why you want a pearl pendant; if you want it for the pearl itself, then the links above are good bets.

I'm sure the other posters on this board will also give you some equally good recommendations.

I've never heard of or dealt with pearlsonly.com, maybe another PSer has some insight on them.

 

[puppylover10]

Thanks! I didn't know those are dyed. Are there any concerns with dyed pearls? Do they look very different from natural black pearls? Will the color come out? I might go for a freshwater white pearl over a Tahitian just because of the price difference though. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Fly Girl]

Thanks! I didn't know those are dyed. Are there any concerns with dyed pearls? Do they look very different from natural black pearls? Will the color come out? I might go for a freshwater white pearl over a Tahitian just because of the price difference though. Thanks for the suggestions!

I have a dyed black freshwater stand of pearls, and I have no concerns about it. Yes, they look very different from natural black pearls. Mine are colorfast.

The price difference is huge, and that is why I got my dyed black freshies. As long as you are paying a fair price, then you might be very happy with the pearl. We just want you to know that there is a difference between the black pearl you are looking at and a real Tahitian black pearl.

BTW, I know what you mean about those cheap necklace chains. I prefer to use my own, as well.

 

[that_someone_special]

It really comes down to personal preference, but I can tell you with certainty, that I love my natural colored pearls way more than the dyed ones that I've seen (I even own one strand). The color is just so much nicer on natural colored ones. Maybe start with a natural white, pink or lavender, and then get a tahitian later? And just so you know in the future, Akoyas do not come in black, those are dyed too

 

[puppylover10]

Thanks Bean and Fly Girl! I knew that those pearls weren't "Tahitians" due to the price but I didn't know they were dyed. Now I can make a more informed decision.