Frequently Asked Questions
Where do your pearls come from?
We source our pearls from reputable suppliers all over the world. All of our pearls are genuine Freshwater & Saltwater Pearls.
Why is there a price difference in pieces that look very similar?
Similar to how diamonds are classified by Cut, Color, Cut & Clarity, there are differences in pearls that affect the price. Similar pearls can vary in price due to quality, luster, size, weight & lot of sourcing.
We do everything we can to be fair with our pricing. Our clients benefit from purchasing their pearl jewelry from us directly (since we design & make the jewelry) as opposed to purchasing from a third party retailer.
Pricing can also vary depending on the market price of Gold & Silver & Pearls at the time.
What type of materials are used in making jewelry?
We use a high quality premium leather & silk for all of our pieces. We also use roundels and enhancers made of Diamonds, 14K-24K Gold, Sterling Silver & Oxidized Sterling Silver.
Do we do jewelry repairs?
Although rare, sometimes a client may need a beloved piece repaired due to wear over time. Should anything happen to your pearl jewelry that was purchased from us, simply contact us using email or by phone to inquire about repairing it.
We will repair the piece for a small fee.
Freshwater Pearls & Saltwater Pearls - What is the difference?
Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater pearls are born within freshwater mussels, which can be found in lakes, rivers, & ponds.
Freshwater Pearls come in a variety of sizes, shapes & colors. though they are usually smaller than Saltwater Pearls. They are also more affordable as the mollusk is able to produce more pearls in a shorter period of time compared tp the host of Saltwater Pearls.
Saltwater Pearls
Saltwater pearls originate from saltwater environments like the sea & ocean. They are usually larger than Freshwater Pearls (though more smaller sizes can be found) & come in a more narrow range of shapes & colors.
They are more expensive than Freshwater Pearls as it can take up to 18 months on average, for an oyster to produce a single pearl.
They are also more durable & can be worn in the shower and while swimming.
There are 3 common types of Saltwater Pearls:
South Sea: from the South Sea oyster & are known to be among the largest Saltwater Pearls
Tahitian: from the black-lipped oyster in French Polynesia & are the most rare type of Saltwater Pearl
Akoya: from the Akoya oyster & the most common tye of Saltwater Pearls
Gold Plated vs Vermeil vs Gold Filled vs Solid Gold
Differences in Gold
Gold Plated
- Very light layer of gold on top of base metal (usually
copper or brass) - Lowest cost
- Will tarnish over time
Gold Vermeil
- Gold layer on top of sterling silver (thicker than Gold
Plated) - Affordable & high quality
- Can tarnish if left out to oxidize (but very easy to clean)
- Safe for sensitive skin (hypoallergenic)
Gold Filled
- Solid layer of gold (ours is 14K) mechanically bonded to
base - Tarnish resistance & waterproof
- Good for everyday wear
Solid Gold
- Most expensive & best quality
- Piece is made entirely of gold (no base metal)
- Tarnish resistant
- Great for everyday wear
- Hypoallergenic