pick a pearl setting

[BabyPiglet]

We picked pearls twice during our recent visit. Our first time was on Jan. 28 at the Japan pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase. Both my daughter and I picked an oyster ($15 each, which includes tax) and here's what we got:

I got the small but beautiful one on the right. It was 7mm but a nice color with lots of shine. My daughter got the large one on the left. It was 8mm and the biggest one we saw in the 45 minutes we were there. When you get something big or beautiful they play the drum for you. This was for DD:

We then went and chose settings. I went with the horseshoe setting, which cost $25. DD went for the big butterfly (they had two sizes). Her setting was $21. Here's our set pearls (sorry, it's not a great photo). The one on the left is MIL's pearl set in a cage.

I'll post the other trips pearl and the story leading up to it once I have a moment to edit those photos.

What are those settings? Do they go on a necklace?

 

[thatgirl23]

Nope, I didn't see anything music related when we were there. Sorry.

That's ok. Thanks for responding!

 

[pixleyyy]

What are those settings? Do they go on a necklace?

Yes, those are all necklace settings.

Unfortunately the butterfly setting had some issues ... I put it on my DD in the morning and by lunch it was missing. The entire butterfly, including hanging clasp thing, was gone. Her chain was still intact on her neck but the beautiful pearl and setting were gone. We never did find them. So make sure you thoroughly inspect them to make sure they are intact and not weak or open in any areas before you put them on.

 

[blondinkaya]

I'm soooo going to do this in May!!!

I guess they don't have Mickey settings (only DCL, is that right)? My mil is a Mickey fanatic (seriously, her whole house is Mickey) who has never been to the World (she's been to DL though). She's had an incredibly tough year, and a pearl w/a Mickey cage or setting from WDW would make the best Mother's Day gift from our boys (dh is an only child, so they're her only grandkids) ...

 

[pixleyyy]

No. Sadly I saw no Mickey head pearl settings.

 

[KJF]

Yes, those are all necklace settings.

Unfortunately the butterfly setting had some issues ... I put it on my DD in the morning and by lunch it was missing. The entire butterfly, including hanging clasp thing, was gone. Her chain was still intact on her neck but the beautiful pearl and setting were gone. We never did find them. So make sure you thoroughly inspect them to make sure they are intact and not weak or open in any areas before you put them on.

We had the same problem, but with the cage setting. DD5 & I both got the cage setting - I happened to notice when getting off a ride that her's was missing. Luckily, we looked in the seat we just got out of & it was there! I didn't have time to take it back to get it fixed, so I did it at the jeweler at the mall. I think I may get my clasp changed also now that I see we're not the only ones that had that problem. Her's only lasted a few hours before coming off. We were sooo glad to find it - not for the cost, but the fact that it had been a special mommy/daughter moment & she was really excited.

 

[Jennifer823]

Bump to read later!

 

[mom2zandjsquared]

I am going to do this with my DD in April and I will probably get it set as I never had any of mine set and end up losing them before we get home and I had some pretty pearls before. My boys will so not be interested in this except that its for there sister!!

 

[Jessiebugkovacs]

Tip for picking a pearl....

Several years ago, we were in DTD for an all girls trip. I decided to do this and was told by a bystander to pick the ugliest one. I did. My pearl was 9 mm. It's beautiful. The person who shucked it did this whole birth ceremony and told us that this pearl was from a boy oyster. Don't know if this is really true but here's the sentimental part. I had been an infertility patient for a loooong time and had given up. Three months after this trip, I found out I was pregnant with a little boy! I love that ring and will always remember my "special moment"

that is an AMAZING story!

 

[dreamalittledream]

Does anyone know if they repair settings? I have one from 2004 that the pearl is loose.

and

I also have 2 pearls I never had set in 2006, we ran out of time and I could not decide if I wanted earrings for me or rings for each of my girls. I'd like to have it done if we go back. will they set "old" pearls? I MAY be able to find a receipt but I'm not sure. they are still in the baggies with the size on them.

 

[blondinkaya]

No. Sadly I saw no Mickey head pearl settings.

Ah, that's too bad. I wonder if I could shimmy something like that up for her. Not like I have my fingers in enough projects as it is, lol.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

Pearls are not drilled. The tool used to make a whole is called a pearl reamer .
It is a hand tool. If a drill is used it can damage the interrity of the pearl. Also please do not be disapointed if your pearl has a peach or mauve undertone to it, these are the natural colors of pearls. White pearls have actualy been bleached. The glue used in setting them is not a regular glue. It is a bonding formula for pearl and stones. I personaly would not have them set it unless it something with meaning to the Japanese culture. Otherwise I would bring it to a jewler. Any reputable jewler can do this to your satisfaction. Just don't bring it to a deptartment store jeweler. Your taking chances with it staying in place.

 

[avic77]

I just got back from Disney and I did the pick a pearl in DTD and my sister did one in Japan and DTD. I picked the ugliest darkest clam i saw and got an 8mm Blue/gray pearl that i had set in a white gold pulmeria flower setting. it is lovely but i think i prefered the settings i saw in Japan over the ones in DTD. My sister said the settings in DTD were more expensive and there were fewer choices (very very few silver ones which i would have prefered) But after reading this thread it may be becuase they push the very expensive settings on you first at DTD. They really did seem to only offer expensive settings.

 

[llij]

Hi Everyone. I have made it through most of the pages of this thread, but not all, so I might have missed this...but...does anyone know if there are black pearls at the Japan site? I know someone had mentioned they were pre-set at DTD, but I just wondered if anyone had "picked" one. Also, does anyone know the aprox. cost of the pre-set black pearls at DTD or the resorts? Thanks!

Yes, my dd picked a black (gorgeous dark silver) pearl on our last trip in December. We've been picking pearls at the Japanese pavillion on every trip since 2002 and my girls have quite the collection of pearls! They've gotten twins, pinkish pearls and I think this is the second black pearl we've gotten. Sadly, we've never had any of them set but I think they could make an entire pearl necklace with the number of pearls they have now!

 

[dansamy]

'Ello all! I am avic's sis and my pearl from Japan was a 7mm pinkish white, which I set in a silver ring. My pearl from DTD was 7.25mm and I had it set on a pendant "cap" that has a diamond-ish chip on top of the pearl. I thought my cap was way overpriced, but I didn't want to use the same setting my sis had.

 

[stellablue]

Here's mine from my trip last week!!

**A word of advice: If you are going to get it down, I highly recommend getting it done from the wonderful lady in Japan at WS. She is so festive and fun, she does this cute script, and literally celebrates your findings! I noticed the other pearl places dont make the experience as fun as this woman. I'm not sure if it's different people each time there, but this is the lady I had and she made it 6x more fun than I had expected!!

Just look at the crowd she drew in! It didn't start out that crowded:

 

[dansamy]

I think you had the same lady I did. I think her name was Aya and she gave all three of my children paper origami cranes.

 

[avic77]

Here is the one i got at DTD

 

[bkyrdmoviemom]

BEAUTIFUL !!!
I'm hoping for a black one like that too! lucky you!!!
It's just gorgeous!! Congrats!

 

[Bama mom to 3]

I am looking forward to doing this with my DD in November.