Hi Folks,
I’m hoping for a suggestion.
This is one of the sweeter questions I’ve ever received: My sister
has a 5 year-old daughter named Zoe, who has decided she wants Santa
to bring her a pair of loose pearls for Christmas this year. She
doesn’t want them for jewelry; she says she just wants to play with
them. When I pressed my sister for more details, it turns out Zoe has
in mind two round pearls, about 10mm each, with no holes drilled in
them.
Since these are likely to be lost–sooner or later–and since gift-
giving is not exactly extravagant in my sister’s family… does
anyone have any ideas where I can direct her?
Thankyou,
Aunt Tracy
Hello, you might try someone who specializes in chinese freshwater
pearls. Majestic sells chinese, I think that they are in NY. I am
pretty sure that they only sell to the trade. Single loose chinese
10mm won’t be too expensive. You can probably find low south sea
whites for $75-100 each, maybe less. You might try Emiko pearls,
their number is 425-646-0105. They are in Seattle, again I don’t
think that they will sell except to the trade.
Good luck, Dennis
Aunt Tracy,
What an interesting 5 year old. I would love to know more about how
this young lady decided she wanted such specific size pearls and in
fact how she knows about pearls at all. My suggestion is to go for
the
Chinese Freshwater Pearls since they are much more affordable than
the Saltwater Akoyas.
Greg DeMark
www.demarkjewelry.com
Aunt Tracy,
All the inexpensive pearl substitutes I can think of (glass pearls,
shell pearls) come drilled. How about getting some pearlescent glass
paint and coating a couple clear marbles? Or get some glass or shell
pearls and fill the drilled holes with rhinestones epoxied in place.
Aunt Barbara 
My sister has a 5 year-old daughter named Zoe, who has decided she
wants Santa to bring her a pair of loose pearls for Christmas this
year.
I got an email just a few days ago from Stachura advertising
undrilled pearls. I think they cost $7-8 each.
http://www.stachurawholesalegemstones.com/view/364/1918/
Noel
She might check with some of the big department stores or tourist
places near her. Some of them have live oysters seeded with pearls,
and for about $10 - $15 you can pick your oyster, and the workers
open and it get the pearl out. No guarantee on size, of course, but
she might enjoy picking out her own oyster for a pearl! I have seen
this done several places, and they always seem to have a big crowd of
folks watching. Should be fun for a girl to do!
Good luck.
Beth in SC