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October 1999
Gemstones & Pearls: New Products
Ring Around
Attractive and distinctive, these once unwanted pearls
offer many selling advantages
No one knows for sure why ridges form on circle pearls, though
some speculate it's because the oyster spins the pearl in only
one direction. (Professional Jeweler, September 1999, p. 46).
Regardless of the reason, the irregularities can be used as
a selling advantage, says Jeffery Pratt of Jeffery Pratt Fine
Jewelry Inc., Dallas, TX. Consumers gravitate toward natural
things. Because these pearls aren't perfectly round, the irregularities
bestow a natural look. Prices are reasonable also, another powerful
incentive.
Officially, a circled Tahitian pearl is semibaroque with rings
perpendicular to the axis covering more than a third of the pearl's
surface.
To promote the gems, Perles de Tahiti launched its "Circle
of Love" promotion in April at the Basel Show in Switzerland.
Another well– known pearl marketer, Mikimoto, recognizes
the beauty and originality of these pearls in its new advertising
campaign, which features a woman wearing a strand of black circle
pearls.
– by Lorraine M. Suermann
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Tahitian cultured pearl necklaces in station
or solitaire styles. All pearls come on a gold neckwire. Perles
de Tahiti for Rolot Et Le Masson, Paris, France; (33– 689)
450– 303, fax (33– 689) 450– 450, gie@tahiti– blackpearls.com. |
| 10mm– 11mm black Tahitian pearls set in 18k
gold feature diamond accents in this earring/pendant set. The
goldwork imitates the rings in each pearl. Suggested retail,
$3,300 for the earrings, $2,200 for the pendant. Jeffery Pratt
Fine Jewelry Inc., Dallas, TX; (800) 606– 9764. |
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18k white gold and diamond earrings feature Utopia
branded pearls. Each pearl comes with a certificate from the
Gemological Institute of America. Chimento Corp., Miami, FL;
(800) 854– 0122 or (305) 372– 8025, fax (305) 372– 5071,
jewels@chimento.com, www.chimento.com. |
| Gold beads flank a Tahitian cultured pearl on
this gold neckwire. Rambaud, Paris, France; (33– 148) 243– 450,
fax (33– 145) 230– 686, www.rambaud.fr. |
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Harlequin bracelet and necklace are crafted in
sterling silver and feature cultured freshwater circle pearls.
Suggested retail, $300 for the bracelet, $600 for the necklace.
Allison Stern, San Francisco, CA (415) 252– 0303, fax (415)
252– 9518. |
| Tahitian cultured pearl hangs from a gold neckwire.
Golay Buchel, New York City; (212) 221– 8234, fax (212)
221– 6876. |
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Copyright © 1999 by Bond Communications.
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