Where to buy quality pearl beads?

[Lentibulariaceae]

Calling all pearl and bead masters of pricescope! I finally have the time to go sticking my nose back into pearl knotting, and have been trying to find some good quality pearls for my projects. The issue is actually finding them, as it seems like almost all the unstrung/unfinished pearls available to the wider public are either poor quality or asking the same prices for unfinished strands as completed, fully finished and knotted jewelry pieces (I am sorry Pearl Paradise, I love you, but I cannot pay $100 for four undrilled freshwater pearls).

I’m not looking for spectacular quality; orient matters most to me, followed closely by luster, and not so much shape, color, or size. I love me some baroque, small, and unevenly or “undesirable” colored pearls. Freshwater is fine, however I’m also be willing to drop more money for better quality or saltwater pearls. Not opposed to working with real old vintage or antique pearls either.
Does anyone have some good sources for stuff that fits this criteria? Ideally not looking to spend more than $200 per strand for freshwaters, not more than $500-$700 per strand for saltwater pearls.

So far I’ve looked at: coraljapan, finepearlsUSA, ThePearlExchange (most promising so far), Amsterdam pearls (still need to email but no obvious prices listed), Pearl Paradise, American Pearl, JWbeads.

It’s also genuinely possible the quality I want isn’t available at the price point I want in this economy but I’ll be damned if I don’t try to find something!

 

[pearlsngems]

Are you Trade, as your badge suggests? if you have a tax ID number for someone in the trade, you could buy at wholesale prices.

Are you able to attend the Tuscon show? Or an Intergem show?

 

[Lentibulariaceae]

Are you Trade, as your badge suggests? if you have a tax ID number for someone in the trade, you could buy at wholesale prices.

Are you able to attend the Tuscon show? Or an Intergem show?

I’m trade but only because I work for a jeweler, and only do commission writing for them so I don’t have access to some of the stuff a “real” trade member would have.
Tucson I’ve never been to, and yeah we actually do have an Intergem show coming up soon! I’ve never found anything particularly great there but I may go again and check this year.

 

[newtojewels]

Although he tends to specialize in the really nice things, Andrew Moline has always been such a great vendor to work with. I would at least reach out to see if he can help!

 

[Snowdrop13]

There are multiple sellers on Etsy with stock of freshwater pearls. Try Wen Pearls to start with. I’ve strung a couple of their strands- some tiny Tahitians and some dyed rice pearls, all very pretty.

Oh, also Ehret Design Gallery on eBay- she has nice things at higher prices, you’ll need to search for the pearls as she sells all sorts of stones too.

 

[Lentibulariaceae]

Although he tends to specialize in the really nice things, Andrew Moline has always been such a great vendor to work with. I would at least reach out to see if he can help!

There are multiple sellers on Etsy with stock of freshwater pearls. Try Wen Pearls to start with. I’ve strung a couple of their strands- some tiny Tahitians and some dyed rice pearls, all very pretty.

Oh, also Ehret Design Gallery on eBay- she has nice things at higher prices, you’ll need to search for the pearls as she sells all sorts of stones too.

Thank you both so much, I’ll check them out!

 

[Soseattle]

I have recently gotten some very nice Tahitian pearls from Uodora (https://uodora.com/). They also sell other types of pearls. Their prices are decent too.

 

[Lentibulariaceae]

I have recently gotten some very nice Tahitian pearls from Uodora (https://uodora.com/). They also sell other types of pearls. Their prices are decent too.

These guys have exactly what I’m looking for! Thank you!

 

[Cristalica]

Calling all pearl and bead masters of pricescope! I finally have the time to go sticking my nose back into pearl knotting, and have been trying to find some good quality pearls for my projects. The issue is actually finding them, as it seems like almost all the unstrung/unfinished pearls available to the wider public are either poor quality or asking the same prices for unfinished strands as completed, fully finished and knotted jewelry pieces (I am sorry Pearl Paradise, I love you, but I cannot pay $100 for four undrilled freshwater pearls).

I’m not looking for spectacular quality; orient matters most to me, followed closely by luster, and not so much shape, color, or size. I love me some baroque, small, and unevenly or “undesirable” colored pearls. Freshwater is fine, however I’m also be willing to drop more money for better quality or saltwater pearls. Not opposed to working with real old vintage or antique pearls either.
Does anyone have some good sources for stuff that fits this criteria? Ideally not looking to spend more than $200 per strand for freshwaters, not more than $500-$700 per strand for saltwater pearls.

So far I’ve looked at: coraljapan, finepearlsUSA, ThePearlExchange (most promising so far), Amsterdam pearls (still need to email but no obvious prices listed), Pearl Paradise, American Pearl, JWbeads.

It’s also genuinely possible the quality I want isn’t available at the price point I want in this economy but I’ll be damned if I don’t try to find something!

Hello! Look for strands of baroque or irregularly shaped pearls with good luster and orientation, rather than perfect shape or size. Focus on sellers who offer freshwater pearls for up to ~$200 per strand and saltwater pearls for up to ~$500-700. Some companies to check out: ThePearlExchange, Amsterdam Pearls, JWbeads, American Pearl. When choosing, pay attention to the hole, the length of the strand, and how well they are suited for weaving.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Calling all pearl and bead masters of pricescope! I finally have the time to go sticking my nose back into pearl knotting, and have been trying to find some good quality pearls for my projects. The issue is actually finding them, as it seems like almost all the unstrung/unfinished pearls available to the wider public are either poor quality or asking the same prices for unfinished strands as completed, fully finished and knotted jewelry pieces (I am sorry Pearl Paradise, I love you, but I cannot pay $100 for four undrilled freshwater pearls).

I’m not looking for spectacular quality; orient matters most to me, followed closely by luster, and not so much shape, color, or size. I love me some baroque, small, and unevenly or “undesirable” colored pearls. Freshwater is fine, however I’m also be willing to drop more money for better quality or saltwater pearls. Not opposed to working with real old vintage or antique pearls either.
Does anyone have some good sources for stuff that fits this criteria? Ideally not looking to spend more than $200 per strand for freshwaters, not more than $500-$700 per strand for saltwater pearls.

So far I’ve looked at: coraljapan, finepearlsUSA, ThePearlExchange (most promising so far), Amsterdam pearls (still need to email but no obvious prices listed), Pearl Paradise, American Pearl, JWbeads.

It’s also genuinely possible the quality I want isn’t available at the price point I want in this economy but I’ll be damned if I don’t try to find something!

good luck with the knotting, please share how its going