Pick-A-Pearl - Advice Needed

[BlondeAppetit]

I have been debating dinner ideas for our next WDW trip.

When we are in Epcot, I thought that dinner at Teppan Edo would be fun for my 6 and 2 year old.

To make the memory even more special, I thought that we could do the Pick-A-Pearl in Japan. Has anyone purchased the necklaces beforehand.

I saw a few on eBay and they were rather inexpensive but the "look" that I would be going for:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pick-A-Pear...142?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2598739356

Has anyone purchased these?

What would you recommended? Can you find higher quality ones anywhere or do these suit?

Thank you!

 

[Mikie]

Sorry - you came here looking for help and instead you helped ME! My daughter did the pick-a-pearl but didn't want to use her souvenir money on the necklaces they had there. I didn't even think of looking online for something and was wondering how long it would take for that pearl to be lost! That necklace is darling - thanks for your idea! I'm sure it is probably mall accessory store quality, but just the thing for a young girl. You can always upgrade later if you decide to. . . Good luck on your quest

 

[disneykeim]

I have the same necklace, well almost identical you could say but I purchased mine at the pick-a-pearl counter in Japan. I know when you get it done you have to wait a bit before you can take it with you. They do something to it, but can not really remember what it is. Honestly I would say $8 is not too bad, that if it doesn't work maybe you could resell them? Also, maybe read the reviews and see what others are saying on their site?

 

[FeralCatRogue]

I made one yesterday waited about 30 mins for turn to pick the pearl and it takes 1.5 hours to set it. Costs 17 for the pearl itself. They had a similar charm there, but I didn't see the price for it. Charms seemed to go from 9.50 to about 30 and larger pearls could not be seated in the cheaper charms. Not all charms came with necklace.

 

[smitch425]

We bought that same carriage from the same seller two years ago, and we have been very happy with it. Still looks brand new, and plenty of room. DD's pearl was 7.25mm, and it fit in easily. This cage fits up to a 10mm pearl, while others only fit 6mm, so make sure this is the one you go with. We purchased prior to our trip, and we took the necklace with us and put it in the cage ourselves right in the store. Easy peasy. have fun!

 

[Sandy321]

The last time we went with DD (2012 maybe?) this was popular topic on the Disboards and that charm was highly recommended - I will add that I found silver chains at Jc Penney's for a decent price during this time of year (sale time!)

 

[eeyoresmom]

I couldn't open the link but I purchased a carriage charm on ebay and it is much better quality than I expected. Definitely a great buy.

 

[nitmavis]

I bought pearl cages from eBay for our up coming trip. They came with the chain and they were only $5 each. I paid $2.50 for shipping. Not bad! I know they're cheap but honestly I'm paying for the experience for my girls because they will probably lose them in a few months.

 

[mblondie0509]

I purchased this same carriage from a seller on Etsy and we love it. I got two...my mom's holds her 7mm pearl and mine holds the 2 (yes twins!) 6mm silver pearls that my son picked out. I love it!

 

[Sharpdisney]

you might find some info here (hope this link work???)

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520941&highlight=pick+a+pearl

There is a pick a pearl board in the Community section. It has a few posts...

 

[MissouriPrincess]

I did the pick a peal two years ago, and I bought a cage necklace off of Ebay. I don't know if it was the same seller, but the price is similar. My pearl ended up being 7.5 mm, and while it did fit in the cage, it didn't close all the way. I can still wear it because the chain keeps the cage closed enough, but I am a little disappointed. I was envisioning that the pearl would be able to move a little in the cage. For mine, the pearl is wedged in tightly. I just wanted to tell you my experience.

 

[itchin2go]

I have seen on these boards that people do buy the necklaces ahead of time.

That said, I'll give you my 2 cents on the metal situation. We purchased a white gold setting for my daughter's necklace, and a sterling chain. Reason being: white gold won't need to be polished and won't tarnish, and thus, there's no chance of it discoloring the pearl. The chain itself won't come in contact with the pearl, so no worries there, and we can save a bit of money.

So, if those kinds of things matter to you, consider the metal of your various components.

We had my daughter's necklace set at the Japanese pavilion. It is a simple white gold bail (maybe fluted a little), and a simple sterling chain. I was imagining at the time that she could wear it forever, for any occasion, and although it's only been a couple of years, it's held true. If you are not envisioning this as being a lasting investment, but more of a cute accessory, then I would certainly not pay so much attention to the metal.

I *think* the whole thing was around $60, when all was said and done. It's my favorite souvenir my daughter has ever gotten from Disney.

Also, Teppan Edo is very good and lots of fun! Have a great trip.

 

[andieb0602]

I bought the same cages 2 years ago for me and DD and they've done well although DD's 8 mm pearl (lucky girl!) did not fit well. I wound up bending the loop that the pendant hangs from a bit so it would close together. It's still very pretty, though, and you don't notice it. My necklace tarnished a bit but I tend to have that effect on jewelry. I would absolutely buy them again.

 

[RedHotAssets]

We purchased a white gold setting for my daughter's necklace, and a sterling chain. Reason being: white gold won't need to be polished and won't tarnish, and thus, there's no chance of it discoloring the pearl.

Where did you get your white gold setting? I am allergic to the cheaper metals sold at Disney and eBay so I've never been able to do the pick a pearl I need gold or else my skin breaks out!

 

[Newsies]

Went to Pick-A-Pearl in July. Not sure it was worth it. $8 per pearl, then they charged a lot for the setting- which I understood and knew beforehand. THEN they charged us for a chain if we wanted to wear it as a necklace. THEN they charged us extra for a little felt black box to hold it in. ???? It was cute, but given the money they charged I wouldn't do it again. Good experience to do once, though. I would definitely buy the necklace and setting beforehand if you can.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

My advice would be to absolutely not buy the chains offered onsite. They are junk and mine unraveled in a week or so. It was metal. That said, I love my pendant ( i got it set there in a white gold mount) and it has held up. Just get your own chains. The experience is fun!

 

[whitney250]

Went to Pick-A-Pearl in July. Not sure it was worth it. $8 per pearl, then they charged a lot for the setting- which I understood and knew beforehand. THEN they charged us for a chain if we wanted to wear it as a necklace. THEN they charged us extra for a little felt black box to hold it in. ???? It was cute, but given the money they charged I wouldn't do it again. Good experience to do once, though. I would definitely buy the necklace and setting beforehand if you can.

Are the pearls $8 at Epcot? We paid $16 per pearl at DTD! If so, we got ripped off lol

 

[Raenstoirm]

We bought that same carriage from the same seller two years ago, and we have been very happy with it. Still looks brand new, and plenty of room. DD's pearl was 7.25mm, and it fit in easily. This cage fits up to a 10mm pearl, while others only fit 6mm, so make sure this is the one you go with. We purchased prior to our trip, and we took the necklace with us and put it in the cage ourselves right in the store. Easy peasy. have fun!

ME too. Not sure if it was that seller, but I have the same cage from a few years back. Still looks great. I went on a bit of a pearl spree that year and ended up getting 6 or so. The others I had set in Japan.

Where did you get your white gold setting? I am allergic to the cheaper metals sold at Disney and eBay so I've never been able to do the pick a pearl I need gold or else my skin breaks out!

Japan has high quality stuff (some of it REALLY high quality..5 figures! ). I got a set of pearls put on 14k white gold studs as well as a single pearl necklace in Japan. I had a pearl set in a white gold loop similar to the pic below at the same time and DH bought me a white gold chain for Christmas that year from a store at home.

 

[Mikie]

Are the pearls $8 at Epcot? We paid $16 per pearl at DTD! If so, we got ripped off lol

The pearls are $16-17, I think someone was saying the carriage pendant to hold the pearl was $8 on line

 

[Eliza'sMom]

I bought that same necklace (although I'm not sure if it was the same seller) on ebay. My daughter loves it and wears it anytime she gets dressed up to go somewhere special. It's perfect for a 6-year-old.