#67675 - 10/29/07 06:49 PM
Best Place to Buy Pearls?
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Gritz
Member
Registered: 07/12/04
Posts: 61
Loc: California
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I'll be in Bora Bora and Tahiti. Where is the best place to buy pearls?
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#67697 - 10/30/07 02:32 PM
Re: Best Place to Buy Pearls?
[Re: Gritz]
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islandboyatheart
Expert Advisor
Registered: 07/19/05
Posts: 1376
Loc: Florida
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I would recommend Tahia Collins in Papeete for high quality mounted pearls. For moderately priced pearls or loose pearls, I would recommend the Mareiti pearl shop in the airport or the Tahiti Pearl Market. On Bora Bora, Tahia Collins, Matira Pearls or again the Tahiti Pearl Market. Sibani and Robert Wan also have pearl stores on both islands I believe but I don't find Robert Wan to have very inventive designs and their pearls tend to be over-priced in my opinion. Sibani in the Vaima center in Papeete has a decent selection but again a bit on the pricey side for comparable quality pearls.
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#67702 - 10/30/07 06:06 PM
Re: Best Place to Buy Pearls?
[Re: islandboyatheart]
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Rebecca
Member
Registered: 03/09/07
Posts: 110
Loc: WA
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Also check out Nyco's on Bora. I went to several pearl shops & recommend you visit several to compare what they have.
have a great trip!
_________________________
Sto sognando le spiagge di sabbia bianca.
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#67703 - 10/30/07 06:38 PM
Re: Best Place to Buy Pearls?
[Re: Rebecca]
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spotbeagle
Member
Registered: 09/11/06
Posts: 365
Loc: California
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I recommend any of the Tahia Collins shops. Their prices are consistent regardless of the island. I completely agree with islandboy that they are definitely high quality pearls. I also found that what other shops graded as A quality, Tahia shops graded similar pearls as B quality. Another plus is that they have a US customer service (restringing, resizing, etc.). Haven't had to use it, so I don't know how valuable it is. I also agree with him again about Robert Wan - nice stuff, high quality, but not very inventive, and I though they were overpriced.
Nycos(on Bora) was a nice shop, and I think there was a Sibani nearby also. I felt like I was at a car dealership at Tahiti Pearl Market.
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#67707 - 10/30/07 08:03 PM
Re: Best Place to Buy Pearls?
[Re: spotbeagle]
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Justine2
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/12/07
Posts: 1911
Loc: Minneapolis, MN
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Oh, because no one else said it, if you like it buy it. There won't be another one like it and it will end up haunting you.
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#67835 - 11/02/07 01:11 PM
Re: Best Place to Buy Pearls?
[Re: Justine2]
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rodjune
Expert Advisor
Registered: 07/08/03
Posts: 1726
Loc: Kalama Valley, HI
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We regret not having bought a big handful of very high luster semi-baroques that were only 3500 cfps per pearl at the Rangiroa pearl farm. We could have made a phenomenal necklace or bracelet that would have retailed for many times its cost versus what we saw back on Tahiti Island or back in the States. Like Justine says, when you see one that you like or "winks" at you (so says a famous Tahiti travel writer), you better get it or you will have serious buyers regret for many years.
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#67839 - 11/02/07 04:11 PM
Re: Best Place to Buy Pearls?
[Re: rodjune]
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Justine2
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/12/07
Posts: 1911
Loc: Minneapolis, MN
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Rod, I hear you! Manihi also had some gorgeous baroques for the same price range which could have easily been made into a necklace.
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#67873 - 11/03/07 05:51 PM
Re: Best Place to Buy Pearls?
[Re: Justine2]
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superstar
Advisor
Registered: 02/16/06
Posts: 567
Loc: Laingsburg, Michigan
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Can not agree more with Justine. If you like it and can afford it. Buy it. We had to back track to get a neclace my wife could not live with out.
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#67958 - 11/07/07 06:36 PM
Re: Best Place to Buy Pearls?
[Re: superstar]
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Justine2
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/12/07
Posts: 1911
Loc: Minneapolis, MN
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I know, the ones you don't buy are the ones that will kill you!
In my case, the ones that were stolen from me are the ones that kill me!!! Some hoochie probably threw away my diamond and sky blue baroque 13mm earrings because she thought they were plastic!
Which brings me to my next point- have the finished piece properly appraised every three years and make sure your insurance rider coverages move along with it. Sky Blue Tahitians (the most rare color) should not have been valued by the crooks at State Farm for $150!!!!!
Edited by Justine2 (11/07/07 06:39 PM)
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#67970 - 11/08/07 07:54 AM
Re: Best Place to Buy Pearls?
[Re: Justine2]
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spotbeagle
Member
Registered: 09/11/06
Posts: 365
Loc: California
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Justine -
Sorry to hear about your stolen pearls. I feel your pain. My mother had gotten me some very dark aubergine studs back when I was in college that were stolen. I didn't even find anything of a similar color during our trip last year, but did console myself with a lovely strand from Tahia Collins.
I know I should have this stuff appraised but I'm not sure where. I don't know of any jewelers here that would be knowledgeable to provide an appraisal (the place my mom got my stolen studs has long since closed). Do you have any suggestions on what to look for in an appriaser? Post here or email me at sredman2002 at yahoo dot com
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