Pearl Stand in Japan

[mermaidwannabe]

Has anyone bought a pearl from the stand in Japan lately? How much are they and is there any pressure to get them set? Thanks!

 

[ttfn3]

We did in July. My DS LOVED the pearl counter in Japan. I believe it was $14.95 + tax. You can pick out your oyster and they make a big production over opening it. Even more so if it's big or something special (color, etc). I didn't feel any pressure to get it set at all. The ladies there are very nice! And don't forget to catch the Candy Lady!! She's a hoot!

 

[TXTink]

DD's and I got one last year. We got a silver setting instead of gold because it wasn't really what I would consider "fine jewelry". It was just for fun.

Each girl got a silver ring setting, and I got a silver chain. By the time it was done I think they ended up costing about $100.00 each, so that's not bad. The place in Epcot did not pressure us at all and were very friendly!

We did shop around to try to find a better price on getting them set and took them to the one at Downtown Disney, they were very rude! They attempted to pressure my teens to get them set in gold. When we told them this was just for costume type jewelry they were done talking to us. Oh well, we just went back to Japan and got just what we wanted, so no harm done!

If you get an especially large pearl, or of rare color, they bang a gong and make a big deal about it!

 

[Celebgrrl]

Couple FYI's for you:

1. A pearl is worth nothing unless it has been set. Then, and only then does a pearl have its true value.

2. Pearls need to be in contact with your skin in order to keep their luster. If you do not set your pearl then and there, please remember to take them out once in a while and rub them against your hands, along your face - anywhere to pick up oil.

3. For Dad (and Mom): Sea World just put in a new pearl diving exhibit and there are super-cute guys (and girls) who dive for the pearls and bring them to you. Cost is about $15, and simple settings are about $20. No pressure, of course!

4. Remember: The uglier the oyster, the prettier the pearl! Good luck!

 

[mermaidwannabe]

Thanks for the replies! I would probably get mine set in a silver ring setting but I have 3 DDs who are notorious for losing things so I thought I'd just save theirs to set when they are older.

 

[bryon]

We got one last May. It was about 20 dollars. We got lucky and picked one of the "blue" ones. (I just picked the ugliest looking oyester in the tank)

Anyway...we did get it set in a neclace setting at the park. Then, when we went back home we took it to our jewler (sp?) (Who is someone we trust and not one of the "Mall" stores. ) He told us that his experience with the Japan perls is that they are a good deal. Most all of them fall between the values of 20-30 dollars while the blue ones like the one we got fall between 25-40 dollars in value. Howevr... he mentioned that the setting we got was very over priced. He mentioned he could of given us the exact same setting for about 1/3 the cost. So it seems this is where the money is made.

 

[HollyJoy]

We did! Each of my girls got one. I don't remember the cost, but I'm thinking around $15?? My oldest DD had read about doing this, and had her mind set! She wasn't disappointed!

 

[Princess Wannabe]

Great pictures! Thanks; that looks really fun, and something we will have to try with DD (5 yrs old)!

 

[luv2nascar]

I think my kids would like this
seems like it isn't that expensive

 

[TammiMcMan]

Last year my DD, then 7 really wanted to do this. She ended up getting a fairly large pearl and we had it set in a sterling silver ring for her. I keep it in my jewelry box and she wears it on special occasions. I think they also had a pearl stand in Animal Kingdom and also one near the Beach and Yacht Club.

Not sure if any of the park gift shops sell these, but when we were on the Disney cruise, they were selling an item called a Wish Pearl. It comes with an unopened oyster (or whatever it is) and a piece of jewelry. You open the oyster yourself to find the pearl. I bought one and the set I picked out came with a necklace that had a minnie charm on it. You could open the charm and slip the pearl inside. I think I spent $29.95 on it. Don't laugh, but I've seen these Wish Pearl packages sold at our local supermarket sometimes.

 

[BethR]

I think they also had a pearl stand in Animal Kingdom and also one near the Beach and Yacht Club.

There is one at Typhoon Lagoon too. I am thinking near the Shark Reef?

 

[Ducky4Disney]

In December, there wasn't a pearl stand in AK, but there was one in Japan and in DTD. I picked a total of three oysters and got 4 pearls! One of my oysters had twins. The first time I bought a pearl was in AK about 4 years ago and there was a lot of pressure to get it set. In JapanD4, there was no pressure whatsoever. I got my pearls drilled but not set. I'm going to make my own setting for them.

D4D

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

Got ours in Japan - no pressure at all to have it set! In fact, if you didn't know it was an option, you might not even know about it. I don't think anyone even mentioned it to us! It was fun for the kids to see where pearls come from. We didn't get them set yet, but probably will eventually.

 

[disnutt]

I visited Epcot in January and saw a little girl get a pearl in Japan. It wasn't my kid or my pearl but that was one of the nicest 5 min I spent in Epcot. The lady doing the opening explained about oysters and how they make pearls. The girl apparently got a very big pearl because they made a BIG deal about the thing.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope the same lady is doing the oysters when I take my own daughters in June.

 

[dbanzai]

I make my own jewelry, mostly glass beads and stuff. Is it possible instead of getting the pearl set to just have a fine hole drilled through the pearl, so I can string it up later?

 

[goofy4tink]

We have a collection of pearls at this point. Dd got one a year or so ago. I brought it home and had the jeweler set it in a necklace. It cost a lot less than having it done in WDW. It is a beautiful large silver/grey pearl. My mother had about 4 of them she had gotten over the years and never done anything with. When she died I found them. So, now we have about 8 pearls just waiting for settings.

 

[TXTink]

I make my own jewelry, mostly glass beads and stuff. Is it possible instead of getting the pearl set to just have a fine hole drilled through the pearl, so I can string it up later?

At least in Japan they will, I don' know about the other locations....

 

[Corky's Mom]

In Dec. we stayed at the BC, my DD(9) wanted one so badly. We went to the stand at the hotel. When we asked about it the women was so rude! Before we even bought an oyster she put so much pressure on us to the get the pearl set that we decided against the whole thing. We even told her we would like to get our jeweler at home to set it. I just couldn't believe her attitude!! My DD was crushed. Maybe we will try Japan when we go back next month.

 

[dbanzai]

Works for me. Thanks!

 

[TXTink]

In Dec. we stayed at the BC, my DD(9) wanted one so badly. We went to the stand at the hotel. When we asked about it the women was so rude! Before we even bought an oyster she put so much pressure on us to the get the pearl set that we decided against the whole thing. We even told her we would like to get our jeweler at home to set it. I just couldn't believe her attitude!! My DD was crushed. Maybe we will try Japan when we go back next month.

Awww....how sad!

Do try Japan next time, they were very nice, and it is so much fun!

(But, like I said above, don't go to the one at DTD, they were very rude! Sounds like what you and your DD experienced at BC.)