pick a pearl setting

[Kurby]

Kurby: at which Pick-a-Pearl location did you find the Cinderella carriage? -- I'm going in December, and I'm such a girly-girl that it sounds like the perfect setting for me!!

we did the pick in Japan - it was excellent - got the cage off ebay.

keep looking - if you don't find them now they'll be back - they always show up.

 

[TINK0998]

Much appreciated, thanks!

From everything I have seen I belive they are (as expected) not ever going to be highly valuable pearls that you get. I haven't read enough to learn exactly how the color treating process works but certainly the pearls from these oysters have been color treated. Which begs the question of whether they are removed, valued and treated for color and then placed inside another(?) oyster. Now that I know what it is that is inside I suppose I really don't need to know the answer, but for those of you doing research on which oysters to pick to yeild the best pearl you may want to take note. The appearance of an oyster might not have anything to do with the pearl inside...

When I was there in 2007, I watched this booth for a while in Japan. It looked like great fun. But I agree that the shells must be opened and the pearls be put in, how else could they have a pearl in each shell. Also, these look like clam shells to me and not true oysters. I do think the pearls are genuine, but I think there must be some manipulation prior to putting them in the tank.

 

[jrc-elpaso]

When I was there in 2007, I watched this booth for a while in Japan. It looked like great fun. But I agree that the shells must be opened and the pearls be put in, how else could they have a pearl in each shell. Also, these look like clam shells to me and not true oysters. I do think the pearls are genuine, but I think there must be some manipulation prior to putting them in the tank.

Here is a definition of cultured pearls vs natural pearls (from Wikipedia).


"A pearl is formed when some sort of small object, typically a parasite or piece of organic matter, becomes embedded in the tissue of an oyster or mollusk. In response, the mantle tissue of the mollusk secretes nacre. Chemically speaking, this is calcium carbonate and a fibrous protein called conchiolin. As the nacre builds up in layers, it surrounds the irritant and eventually forms a pearl. It is a myth that a grain of sand can cause a pearl to form, as nacre will not adhere to inorganic substances.

Natural pearls are those pearls that are formed in nature, more or less by chance. Cultured pearls, by contrast, are those in which humans take a helping hand. By actually inserting a foreign object into the tissue of an oyster or mollusk, pearl farmers can induce the creation of a pearl. The same natural process of pearl creation takes place."


I'm not sure what determines the colors - but it could be anything from minerals in the water to water temperature. If you've ever seen mother of pearls which is the lining of the shell it can be a rainbow of colors.

I'm looking forward to getting my pearl in September for our anniversary.

 

[famsen]

I had read that each of the oysters are x-rayed or scanned in some way to make sure each oyster has a pearl. I would guess that they only buy oysters that only have pearls of certain size to be in those oysters. I would stink if someone paid full price for an oyster and got a less than the average size of 6mm they claim.
I can tell you that I have watched a lot of those pearl opening ceremonies and I have never seen a pearl less than 6.50mm unless it was "twins".

 

[Lilmattie13]

Ok so I read through all 55 pages and in my disney fanatic way, I found and ordered the cinderella cage and the crown cage. I am hoping they will be as pretty as other posters have said.

Now the only one that eludes me is the mickey mouse one. I read way back that these can only be purchased on the disney cruise line in the can already. I searched and searched and could not find a picture of one anywhere. Now I know people have them out there but are there any pictures at all

I am now obsessed with seeing a picture of this and trying to get one lol I am so obsessed with mickey heads and hidden mickeys I even have a giant hidden mickey in my garden made up entirely of impatients. Got this idea when I saw the mickey head shape at Epcot during the flower festival.

So now that I have shared my nuttiness with everyone, isnt there anyone out there that has a pic????

 

[fakereadhed]

So now that I have shared my nuttiness with everyone, isnt there anyone out there that has a pic????

In the interest of time, here is one I found with me wearing the Mickey one. I will take a better picture and post it in the next couple of days along with the Minnie one.

 

[thatgirl23]

Just got back from Disney and seeing as though most of our vacation was washed away () we spent a lot of time in Japan and did the pick-a-pearl numerous times.

The first time we did it we picked 3 oysters. The first one was 7 1/2, the second was 8, and the third had 6 1/2 twins! Our method for choosing was picking the "hairiest" ones and it seemed to work. I put the 8 in a heart cage I got off ebay for my mom, the 7 1/2 was put on a horseshoe pendant, and the twins were made into earrings.

We went back later and picked two more... first one was 7 and the second had twins again! One was 6 1/2 and the other was 6 1/4. I changed one of the twins in to make them the same size and had them made into earrings (simple studs) for a gift.

I couldn't decide what to do with the 7 pearl... I've been trying to get a black or blue pearl but no luck so since the weren't any other pendants I was crazy for I figured the price would be the same to pick another and make another set of earrings instead of buying a pendant I wasn't in love with. I went and picked another one and got a 7 1/2. I traded it in for another 7 and got the earrings.

All in all, I probably spent way too much money but I don't regret it. I got a few things for myself and a couple great gifts. Plus, all the other plans I had were washed away so I had the money. Hopefully, when we go back in October, they have a different selection and I'll have better luck at getting a black or blue one.

Btw, the price to pick the oyster comes out to be an even $17 with the tax. The earrings range from about $10 to $30/$34 (without tax). Pendants were between $20 and $30. I know the heart cage was $70 so I'm glad I got the one off ebay. LOL

 

[TVEPFOX]

I read your post about blue and black pearls... I hate to brag... but...

For the past two years my DD has done pick a pearl. She's only 7... What does she get... 2 blues and 1 black! That kid is sooooo lucky! One blue was 8mm, the other 7 1/2 mm, the black was 7 1/4!

I do it and get a 7 mm white.

 

[MinnieNurse]

In the interest of time, here is one I found with me wearing the Mickey one. I will take a better picture and post it in the next couple of days along with the Minnie one.

That is so cute, another reason to book a Disney cruise.

 

[fakereadhed]

That is so cute, another reason to book a Disney cruise.

Was on the Wonder May 10-14- no Mickey or Minnie cages in the gift shop- just other shapes.

 

[MinnieNurse]

Was on the Wonder May 10-14- no Mickey or Minnie cages in the gift shop- just other shapes.

What? I really need a Mickey and Minnie cage.

 

[Lilmattie13]

I do too

 

[mskayjay]

I read your post about blue and black pearls... I hate to brag... but...

For the past two years my DD has done pick a pearl. She's only 7... What does she get... 2 blues and 1 black! That kid is sooooo lucky! One blue was 8mm, the other 7 1/2 mm, the black was 7 1/4!

I do it and get a 7 mm white.

Hi there. I'm over north of Syracuse!

I would really really love to see photos of these pearls. DH is going to help me photograph and upload mine for you all to see in the next few days. I have no idea how to do it! I got twins, a blue/black one, a pink, and a traditional one on our last trip. The twins are in one necklace, the pink and blue/black is currently my favorite necklace, and the traditional one I didnt have mounted yet. I'll bring it next time and match it up with something new.

 

[SassyTink213]

Just got back from Disney and seeing as though most of our vacation was washed away () we spent a lot of time in Japan and did the pick-a-pearl numerous times.

Lol, the same happened to us!! We were pretty well washed out too and kept getting washed into Japan and of course while we were there my sis and I couldn't help but pick more pearls...we are so addicted-lol!! I've got pics I've just got to upload them all to my comp and then to photobucket. As soon as I've got them uploaded I'll post pics of my sis and I's pearls.

 

[TVEPFOX]

The picture doesn't do it justice. It's a blue pearl in a silver setting with a blue topaz. I think it was around $85 dollars.

I can't figure out how to post the pic, but here's the link from the dis photo site.

http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/showphoto.php/photo/31871/ppuser/143815

 

[SassyTink213]

8 1/4 mm champagne pearl in flower pin setting (silver) $54 for setting

8 mm cream colored/pinkish pearl in flower necklace setting (silver) $28 setting

8 mm white pearl in heart ring (silver) $39.50 setting

7 3/4 mm white pearl in heart slider (silver) $28.50 setting

7 mm champagne pearl in tear drop setting (silver) $29.50 setting-gift for my mom

my sis picked several pearls too-i'll try to get picks of them soon and post them -oh and I'm sorry about the layout of the post/size i was having some problems and couldnt get it to do what I wanted

 

[mskayjay]

Let's see if I can do this right......

If it worked right, necklace to the left is my "twins". The one on the right, the pearl at the bottom is the darker silvery tone. It is my favorite piece of jewelry right now!

Enjoy!

 

[mskayjay]

Oh I did it!!!!

here it is by itself.....

 

[ScotsMinnie]

I have never done this but some of the pics on this thread are gorgeous! Does anyone have any more to share?

 

[ZeroToHero]

SassyTink, are those from Epcot Japan? I love the heart ring, and think I want one for myself (via DBF's wallet, of course... )