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January 2000
Gemstones & Pearls: New Products
Color My Pearls
Irresistible pearl jewelry is stylish, chic and fun
People with discerning tastes appreciate the new shades of
pearls. "These consumers recognize the rare and unusual
and appreciate something special and fun," says Allison
Stern, president of Allison Stern Designs, San Francisco, CA.
In particular, Chinese freshwater cultured pearls are now
available in better qualities and subtle colors. Capturing the
most attention are cream, pink, lavender and apricot pearls.
"These hues are flattering for most skin tones," says
Christie Frantz, owner of Christie Frantz Designs, Berkeley,
CA.
Cool Tahitian blues, steel gray and brown are in tune with
apparel fashions and will continue to blend well with different
seasons of clothing.
Education is a key selling tool. Be an expert. Tell customers
about the origin of the pearl in the jewelry being shown. And
don't limit the pearls you show to finished jewelry – loose
pearls are
gorgeous and have impact in volume. Allow customers to see different
varieties, and encourage them to get involved in the design of
their jewelry.
– by Lorraine M. Suermann
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Loose Tahitian cultured pearls on the shell are
purple, green, black and blue. The white and pink hues are South
Sea and the gold is from Indonesia. Sizes range from 10mm-15mm
in round or drop. Keystone, $800-$6,000. The necklace under the
shell features a 9.5mm - 10mm black Tahitian cultured pearl,
0.20-ct. diamond and 18k white gold bezel and 18k white gold
snake chain. Keystone, $1,300. Prestige Pearl & Stone Co.,
New York City; (212) 398-0277, fax (212) 840-1803. |
| Ring and earrings feature 0.40 carat of diamonds
and 12mm-13mm South Sea cultured pearls in 18k white gold. Suggested
retail for the set, $7,900. Golay Buchel USA, New York City;
(800) 223-6753 or (212) 869-9090, fax (212) 221-6876. |
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Three Tahitian cultured pearls are enhanced by
sparkling diamonds on this pendant. Fulvio Maria Scavia, Italy; (39-027) 602-1610. |
| Natural-color Chinese freshwater cultured pearls
feature hues from pink to lavender accented with 14k gold. Suggested
retail, $1,300 for the strand, $700 for the station necklace,
$300 for the earrings. Shogun Trading Co., Harrison, NY; (914) 381-1414. |
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Natural Tahitian keshi cultured pearls hang from
an 18k white gold chain. Suggested retail, $4,200. Available
in 18k yellow or platinum. PCD South Sea Pearls, Carlos Chanu, Martinez, CA; (925) 370-2271, fax (925) 370-2278. |
| Multicolored Tahitian and South Sea cultured
pearl necklace features an 18k white gold and diamond pavé
clasp. Rafco International Gem Corp., New York City; (800) 697-8277
or (212) 221-3435, fax (212) 398-0609. |
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18k gold pendant features a lavender Chinese
freshwater cultured pearl and a 0.05-ct. diamond accent. Suggested
retail, $600. Christie Frantz, Berkeley, CA; (800) 468-8900, fax (510) 525-7782. |
| Eight flush-set and channel-set diamonds in 14k
rose gold set off a bronze Chinese cultured pearl. Suggested
retail, $500. Cinnamon Designs, Santa Rosa, CA; (800)546-5120, fax (707) 527-5190. |
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18k gold ring holds 0.20 carat of square diamonds
and a 4.5mm black cultured pearl. Suggested retail, $790. Matching
bracelet features 0.90 carat of square diamonds and eight 7mm
black cultured pearls. Suggested retail, $8,975. Burdett A. Milkins/BAM
Designs, Monroe, MI; (734) 242-1023, fax (734) 242-1155. |
| Rapture choker is crafted in sterling silver
with multicolored freshwater cultured pearl drops. Allison Stern,
San Francisco, CA; (415) 252-0303, fax (415) 252-9518. |
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Pendant features a 12mm pear-shaped Tahitian
cultured pearl and 0.14 carat of diamonds set in 18k gold. Rambaud,
Paris, France; (33-14) 824-3450, fax (33-14) 523-0686. |
| 18k gold hand-finished ring cradles a 10mm-11mm
pink cultured pearl. Suggested retail, $560. Jeanne Cole, Van
Nuys, CA; (818) 988-5398, fax (818) 988-6398. |
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14k gold rings are set with 8mm-10mm pink-to-purple
Chinese freshwater cultured button pearls and are from Trigem
Designs' Spice Pearls™ collection. Columbia Gem House Inc.,
Vancouver, WA; (800) 888 - 2444 or (360) 514-0569, fax (360) 514-0575. |
Copyright © 1999 by Bond Communications.
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