Pearlapalooza from Andrew Moline

[newtojewels]

I'll be updating this thread over the next couple of days but I just couldn't wait to get started. I wanted a new fun pearl strand so reached out to Andrew Moline for help since he got me my beloved blue Akoya ring. He knows one of my goals was a Tahitian ombre opera-length strand. I sadly don't have the budget for the perfect, gemmy, round, clean, super saturated, and lustrous ombre that I'm sure we all dream of, but Andrew is the best so he sent me a few strand options including a preloved ombre in my budget. The goal here was to get me a super fun necklace but to save money where I could, so we're calling this a SNRSTR for a "semi-near-round strand" -- you heard it here first

As usual, I am not the best photographer. These are straight out of my phone camera with cat hair, dust, etc.

First, the winning ombre Tahitians:


It's around 36" long so it's hard to get all in one shot, but here's a potato-quality photo of the full layout:


Andrew also matched a round earring pair to the strand for me. I asked him for something one level nicer than the strand pearls but I was still on a pretty strict budget and he came through I'm going to set them into earring I got from TRR that had some really crummy pearls in them. He also sent these drops which I'm 95% sure won't be making it back to him, so much for budgeting

:


The ring here for comparison is a Mikimoto from circa 2000 that I got from TRR:


These are the 18k white gold TRR settings I'll use for his round pair, they'll hopefully be set next week:


Ombre strand next to my Akoya ring:


And the ombre strand on, for scale. I think it's a straight 10mm strand and again it's around 36" long:


And here's a preview with some of the other goodies I'll be posting later!

 

[winnietucker]

The pearls are gorgeous and I love your outfit! You have such a fab sense of style

 

[newtojewels]

The pearls are gorgeous and I love your outfit! You have such a fab sense of style

Thank you so much! I should post more in crafting spaces here, I actually sewed that jumpsuit last year. The fabric is a super cool Japanese natural indigo tsutsugaki made using traditional methods and the pattern was a Vogue pattern from Rachel Comey.

 

[empliau]

We need an emoji with drooling. The Tahitians are just splendid - congratulations (as usual) on your spectacular taste/vision, but I am glued here for the Akoya goodies!

 

[winnietucker]

Thank you so much! I should post more in crafting spaces here, I actually sewed that jumpsuit last year. The fabric is a super cool Japanese natural indigo tsutsugaki made using traditional methods and the pattern was a Vogue pattern from Rachel Comey.

That’s so cool! If you ever post about it, I’d love to read about it. I’ve been wanting to learn how to sew so I can make my kids matching jinbei in this really cute Japanese turtle print fabric I saw, but it feels so daunting. We go to bon dances every weekend during bon dance season so I wanted them to be cute.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I'll be updating this thread over the next couple of days but I just couldn't wait to get started. I wanted a new fun pearl strand so reached out to Andrew Moline for help since he got me my beloved blue Akoya ring. He knows one of my goals was a Tahitian ombre opera-length strand. I sadly don't have the budget for the perfect, gemmy, round, clean, super saturated, and lustrous ombre that I'm sure we all dream of, but Andrew is the best so he sent me a few strand options including a preloved ombre in my budget. The goal here was to get me a super fun necklace but to save money where I could, so we're calling this a SNRSTR for a "semi-near-round strand" -- you heard it here first

As usual, I am not the best photographer. These are straight out of my phone camera with cat hair, dust, etc.

First, the winning ombre Tahitians:


It's around 36" long so it's hard to get all in one shot, but here's a potato-quality photo of the full layout:


Andrew also matched a round earring pair to the strand for me. I asked him for something one level nicer than the strand pearls but I was still on a pretty strict budget and he came through I'm going to set them into earring I got from TRR that had some really crummy pearls in them. He also sent these drops which I'm 95% sure won't be making it back to him, so much for budgeting

:


The ring here for comparison is a Mikimoto from circa 2000 that I got from TRR:


These are the 18k white gold TRR settings I'll use for his round pair, they'll hopefully be set next week:


Ombre strand next to my Akoya ring:


And the ombre strand on, for scale. I think it's a straight 10mm strand and again it's around 36" long:


And here's a preview with some of the other goodies I'll be posting later!

so beautiful
i love ombre

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I'll be updating this thread over the next couple of days but I just couldn't wait to get started. I wanted a new fun pearl strand so reached out to Andrew Moline for help since he got me my beloved blue Akoya ring. He knows one of my goals was a Tahitian ombre opera-length strand. I sadly don't have the budget for the perfect, gemmy, round, clean, super saturated, and lustrous ombre that I'm sure we all dream of, but Andrew is the best so he sent me a few strand options including a preloved ombre in my budget. The goal here was to get me a super fun necklace but to save money where I could, so we're calling this a SNRSTR for a "semi-near-round strand" -- you heard it here first

As usual, I am not the best photographer. These are straight out of my phone camera with cat hair, dust, etc.

First, the winning ombre Tahitians:


It's around 36" long so it's hard to get all in one shot, but here's a potato-quality photo of the full layout:


Andrew also matched a round earring pair to the strand for me. I asked him for something one level nicer than the strand pearls but I was still on a pretty strict budget and he came through I'm going to set them into earring I got from TRR that had some really crummy pearls in them. He also sent these drops which I'm 95% sure won't be making it back to him, so much for budgeting

:


The ring here for comparison is a Mikimoto from circa 2000 that I got from TRR:


These are the 18k white gold TRR settings I'll use for his round pair, they'll hopefully be set next week:


Ombre strand next to my Akoya ring:


And the ombre strand on, for scale. I think it's a straight 10mm strand and again it's around 36" long:


And here's a preview with some of the other goodies I'll be posting later!

i also must compliment the jumpsuit
very stylish
i grew up in jumpsuits in the 70's, but i do love to see a fancy one

 

[glitterata]

How elegant you are, @newtojewels !

 

[newtojewels]

We need an emoji with drooling. The Tahitians are just splendid - congratulations (as usual) on your spectacular taste/vision, but I am glued here for the Akoya goodies!

I think I'll post his Akoyas tomorrow! I have a couple of goodies there But unfortunately I think I'm coming down with a cold so we might get modeling shots in pajamas instead of a nice outfit

That’s so cool! If you ever post about it, I’d love to read about it. I’ve been wanting to learn how to sew so I can make my kids matching jinbei in this really cute Japanese turtle print fabric I saw, but it feels so daunting. We go to bon dances every weekend during bon dance season so I wanted them to be cute.

There's a sewing pattern review forum that I have found very helpful. Like PS, it skews a bit older with very experienced people who tend to be a bit picky but super knowledgeable. My mom taught me to sew when I was little so I don't remember the experience of being new, but I walked my partner through using a sewing machine and he made a bicycle bag on his first go around. I designed the pattern and installed the zippers, but he did the rest by himself with just some minor supervision.

Matching jinbei sound so cute!

i also must compliment the jumpsuit
very stylish
i grew up in jumpsuits in the 70's, but i do love to see a fancy one

Thank you!

I love jumpsuits, no need to think about matching anything!

How elegant you are, @newtojewels !

Thank you so much! I don't always feel very elegant, but pearls and pointy heels help!

 

[ean]

I love the pearls but that outfit is *chef’s kiss*

 

[CMN]

Very nice - I love the strand worn doubled

 

[Dreamer_D]

Elegant, sophisticated, FABULOUS! That whole look is just killer and the pearls are the cherry on top.

 

[newtojewels]

I love the pearls but that outfit is *chef’s kiss*

Thank you so much!

Very nice - I love the strand worn doubled

I think the layout is particularly nice when doubled, so I agree! But I think I'll wear it single sometimes as well, it's nice to have the choice!

Elegant, sophisticated, FABULOUS! That whole look is just killer and the pearls are the cherry on top.

Thank you so much! I should post photos more often, what an ego boost! But usually I'm just in athleisure at home with my jewelry that no one else can see

 

[yssie]

@newtojewels OMG. I haven't been on the forum in months. Yours is the first bling thread I've opened in months!

You are gorgeous!! (I mean that in a nice and not-weird way!). That outfit with those pearls - superbly summer chic

Loving these previews...

 

[newtojewels]

More photos today!

First a couple more of my ombre strand because duh:



A strand of Australian button south sea pearls, I think they go up to 12mm:



And here it is on. I'm sick at home so I quickly threw on my partner's button-down to pretend I'm not just in pajamas. I loved these and felt super elegant. Although they're buttons, I think they read quite round when worn:


Same WSS strand next to a 54"/137cm (!!!) Akoya rope that Andrew grades as A+:



Couldn't let my ring go forgotten:


I got a photo of the rope when I was dressed a little nicer! Though I didn't realize until afterwards that I perfectly matched the wallpaper . For those following along in crafting land, this dress is something else I sewed. An Akoya rope is definitely in my future:


I hate taking ear shots but love everyone else's, so here are some massive 9-9.5mm Akoya studs with jumbo backs so there's no drooping on me at least:


The drop Tahitians:


Akoya rope and my ring, I think the side pearls on my ring are AAA or gem for reference:


And the three strands all piled up:

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Stunning!!!!! The pearls! The jumpsuit and especially the dress!!! So gorgeous!

Love love love the south seas!!!

 

[empliau]

Gorgeous. All gorgeous. Those South Seas read as round to me, and are such a perfect length on you.

You have a *rope* of Andrew's Akoyas. I am in awe!

I didn't know I wanted drop Tahitian earrings. Now I want them like nobody's business! Everything is so beautiful!

 

[newtojewels]

Gorgeous. All gorgeous. Those South Seas read as round to me, and are such a perfect length on you.

You have a *rope* of Andrew's Akoyas. I am in awe!

I didn't know I wanted drop Tahitian earrings. Now I want them like nobody's business! Everything is so beautiful!

I just want to make it clear -- I don't own the rope or the WSS! Andrew sent them to me to consider but I ended up choosing the ombre Tahitian strand. I want both some day, though! I'll tragically have to ship them back soon

If you get these drop Tahitians you'll save me from myself, so you should do it!

 

[empliau]

The Tahitian drops look great on you. Why does money have to be so finite???

 

[newtojewels]

The Tahitian drops look great on you. Why does money have to be so finite???

A real tragedy!

 

[Lentibulariaceae]

How is the orient on these guys? I know from experience it never shows up on camera like it does in real life!

 

[newtojewels]

How is the orient on these guys? I know from experience it never shows up on camera like it does in real life!

It's definitely the strongest on my ring from him, which I think were gem by his standards. It's also strong on the large 9-9.5mm studs. Present on the rope but not to the same extent as on my ring or the studs. A few of the pearls on the WSS strand have almost as much as the rope though most are less. The Tahitian ombre strand either doesn't have orient or it looks enough different in Tahitians that I can't recognize it as such (do Tahitians ever have orient?).

Comparing these to my other pearls, there's definitely more orient on his, and especially on my ring, than on my Takahashi/PP livestream "gem" Akoya earring pair or "gem luster with light kizu" bracelet. I think it's something he values in his grading.

 

[maryjane04]

Oh my God. Look at the luster on those! So many baubles. I need to get on the pearl train haha. I love the ombre strand the most though so I can see why you picked that first. I love the WSS ones, they look so classy but more mature haha not that you're not mature but plenty of time for that in the future. Right now we're fun!

 

[Pomelo]

I'll be updating this thread over the next couple of days but I just couldn't wait to get started. I wanted a new fun pearl strand so reached out to Andrew Moline for help since he got me my beloved blue Akoya ring. He knows one of my goals was a Tahitian ombre opera-length strand. I sadly don't have the budget for the perfect, gemmy, round, clean, super saturated, and lustrous ombre that I'm sure we all dream of, but Andrew is the best so he sent me a few strand options including a preloved ombre in my budget. The goal here was to get me a super fun necklace but to save money where I could, so we're calling this a SNRSTR for a "semi-near-round strand" -- you heard it here first

As usual, I am not the best photographer. These are straight out of my phone camera with cat hair, dust, etc.

First, the winning ombre Tahitians:


It's around 36" long so it's hard to get all in one shot, but here's a potato-quality photo of the full layout:


Andrew also matched a round earring pair to the strand for me. I asked him for something one level nicer than the strand pearls but I was still on a pretty strict budget and he came through I'm going to set them into earring I got from TRR that had some really crummy pearls in them. He also sent these drops which I'm 95% sure won't be making it back to him, so much for budgeting

:


The ring here for comparison is a Mikimoto from circa 2000 that I got from TRR:


These are the 18k white gold TRR settings I'll use for his round pair, they'll hopefully be set next week:


Ombre strand next to my Akoya ring:


And the ombre strand on, for scale. I think it's a straight 10mm strand and again it's around 36" long:


And here's a preview with some of the other goodies I'll be posting later!

Gorgeous pearls but I must say - your jumpsuit is simply sublime. I cannot believe you sewed it! I was hoping to do an image search to get something similar - it’s such a great design with the front “drape” (if that’s the right word?) and the fabric! Wow!

 

[newtojewels]

Gorgeous pearls but I must say - your jumpsuit is simply sublime. I cannot believe you sewed it! I was hoping to do an image search to get something similar - it’s such a great design with the front “drape” (if that’s the right word?) and the fabric! Wow!

Thank you so much! Considering how much I admire your style, that's such a huge compliment!

Here's the pattern in case you want to try to tackle it or get a seamstress involved: https://simplicity.com/vogue-patterns/v1645

And the fabric, though my specific design is sold out: https://britexfabrics.com/collections/japanese-tsutsugaki-ai-momen-indigos

@newtojewels OMG. I haven't been on the forum in months. Yours is the first bling thread I've opened in months!

You are gorgeous!! (I mean that in a nice and not-weird way!). That outfit with those pearls - superbly summer chic

Loving these previews...

I can't believe I missed replying to you, Yssie! Thank you so much!

 

[Dreamer_D]

The GLOW the GLOW!!

 

[Catmom]

Woah, they are all so gorgeous, as are you and your sewing!

 

[molinePDG]

A lot of times when sending stuff out for someone to review this is a pretty common "Here are 5 things, pick a fave."

Anyway, point being, the regularity with which I will walk down to where the pearls are all kept and wonder "Huh, why does it feel like I'm 'missing' a whole bunch of pearls?" only to realize I am, in fact "missing" a bunch of pearls is equal parts hilarious and concerning.