JCrew Pearls...Worth the Pricetag?

Mamapicklejuice

I saw these 54" freshwater pearls on JCrew for almost $500 (!). What's the consensus? Majorly overpriced? Worth the investment? (I mean, considering they are not cultured pearls.)

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Brows...../94227.jsp

Does anyone have a 50% coupon to JCrew I could borrow? A rich uncle? No? Hm.

What about the four strand necklace instead?

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Brows...../21846.jsp

(As a total aside, I love these two bib necklaces, but I can't imagine wearing these to a playdate...not for this MOTG, anyway: http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Brows...../31423.jsp

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Brows...../27983.jsp

I would like to add a longer pearl necklace to my collection, and have nothing similar to the ones I posted above. While the bib necklaces seem a bit...much, I could see myself wearing the first two frequently (if my wardrobe shapes up, that is!)

Advise me, ladies!

15 years ago

Dressing

11 replies

Latest reply was from Banana

bj1111

Veteran

if you don't mind faux, there is a long strand at nas in gray or cream.

http://preview.tinyurl.com/33qlpme

i have the gray. feels weighty and lays against my chest like real ones.

15 years ago

Dashrashi

Veteran

Good gravy, for that price, make your own. Or get someone to do it on Etsy (Alchemy section).

eta: And I'm not a DIYer generally, so I don't say that lightly.

15 years ago

Jill

Active Member

Whether they are worth the price depends entirely on the quality of the pearls. 7.5mm is a good size for pearls, but there's no way to tell from the photos how the shape, color, and luster are. By the way, they *are* cultured pearls -- almost all pearls sold today are cultured. If they were wild pearls, they would be much more expensive than that!

Anyway, if they are good quality pearls, they may well be technically worth that price, but the question is whether you value the quality of the pearls enough for it to be worth it *to you.* If you just want the look of a long strand of pearls, you can easily find a necklace (faux or even real) for a lot less than that!

15 years ago

Kristine

Veteran

I don't know a lot about pearl quality, but you should check Ebay. I've been looking for a similar necklace and found some really reasonable deals. I'd pass on the sellers from China (quality but also shipping time), but even from US there are some good deals on new or vintage necklaces. I'm actually looking for freshwater (or good imitation) because I've read they don't kill the oysters to get them!

15 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

I have bought JCrew's costume jewelry and have been very pleased (as opposed to Ann Taylor's costume jewelry, which has been a bad experience). But for real pearls? If you are that serious, I would go to a jeweler.

15 years ago

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

The NAS strand sounds fab, actually, and a good way for me to dip my toes into pearl rope wearing.

Thanks!

15 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

I like the idea of buying a cheaper version until you see how often you really wear them. Then if they are the go to piece, you can invest in a pricey pair.

15 years ago

Louise

Veteran

I had a real pearl bracelet for my birthday and to be honest I can't tell the difference between it and the several lots of costume pearls I own!!! x

15 years ago

MNsara

Veteran

MPJ - That is a LOT of $$! You might want to check out Macy's 100" strand of pearls. It is lovely quality real freshwater pearls of nice size (7-8mm I think). It does NOT have a clasp. I can wrap it around my neck 5 times to sit high on my chest, and I am working on messy wrapping. 100" is a lot to work with, sometimes I am confused by so much pearl on me, but I do like it

I think this is it:
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....sn_results

Anyway, it has been going on sale fairly often for $100 and I was able to use a 20% coupon on it. I ordered mine online when shipping was free, so it ended up just $80.

Just something to consider. . .

15 years ago

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

MNsara - I know, right?!? I had to squint at the computer to be sure I was reading the price right.

The Macy's one seems great, but I think I'd prefer a clasp - I think you can do more knotting, wrapping with two free ends. (But thank you for the suggestion.)

ETA I did enjoy perusing the pearl section at JCrew if only because they had such nice assortment of necklaces...neat to compare the different looks.

15 years ago

Banana

Active Member

These might be smaller than you'd like, and there is no clasp, but they are a great price!

http://www.overstock.com/Jewel.....oduct.html

I own them and wear them all the time.

15 years ago

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