Picking a pearl??? Is it worth it ??

[evabraniff]

Same here. My daughters absolutely loved this, however, it turned out pretty expensive to get the cage and necklace (for each of my daughters and my wife I paid over $300.) The oyster itself is like $15. If you don't mind spending, it'll probably cost you around $60 for a pearl, setting and necklace. It was well worth it though, they haven't taken them off since.

If you have a silver chain, you can use that to save some $. The one they sell are pretty flimsy for kids. 2/4 have broken already... however, they are pretty.

My twins were set in sterling studs ( under $10) and the setting pendant dd chose was 19.99, she had a chain at home.

 

[AliceinMaryland]

do they sell the carriage style in epcot or dtd, or any other Disney themes? I have never done this before or really paid much attention to it, but my dgd will love it. if I have to get one off ebay to get Disney style, how do I get pearl put in? do they do it there and how much do they charge to put in your own?

Yes, that is where I got the cinderella's coach was in the Japanese Pavilion in Epcot. The pearl just pops in and out of the pearl cages so you can do it yourself. You don't need the jeweler to do it. Buy a few of the pearl cages and wear different ones if you like. It's basically like a locket that you put a pearl in. You can even buy chains to wear the cages on. I thought I had one at home but come to find out I didn't so I haven't been able to wear mine yet

 

[AliceinMaryland]

"Sun, knee, itchy"-For those of you that have done this in the Japanese Pavilion LOL!!

 

[ibcrazie4dizney]

alice, if you don't mind me asking, are you wiling to share a round-about price for a carriage and maybe necklace in japan? i just saw some on etsy and they were extremely cheap. it is for my dgd who may or may not take care of it. so i didn't want to spend a fortune.

 

[AliceinMaryland]

I can't remember off the top of my head. I know this doesn't help much but I remember thinking it was expensive but I had to have the cinderella coach My husband purchased it. In a few minutes I'll go look and see if I can find the receipt but I doubt I saved it.

 

[donnajherren]

We haven't done this yet, but we plan to during our trip in a few weeks. I ordered a couple of the princess carriage pearl cages from a lady on Etsy. They're surprisingly solid, considering how little I paid for them.

My girls are looking forward to picking out some ugly oysters!

 

[agavegirl1]

It is a special event that can be commemorated by a piece of jewelry. If you want a piece of jewelry without a special event, you can buy an equivalent pearl for less than $1.00. The whole show is finding it in your own oyster. So, do you want to pay for the experience (anywhere from $15 to $115) or do you want the pearl. If you want to make your pearl into jewelry, you can do it yourself (or find a friend who does this) for much less.

 

[WDW in Pearls]

I saw a few people say that they made stud earrings out of theirs. How can you ensure you'll get two of the same size/color?

 

[brooke789]

I just did it on Sunday! Each of my two-year olds picked out an oyster and then we had those pearls made into a pair of earrings for my Mother's Day present. It really is quite a show. They both totally loved it! I got a flower looking setting that was $30 + the $30 for two pearl tickets.

And it is the wonkiest set of earrings you've ever seen. One white pearl and one very pink!

 

[AliceinMaryland]

I saw a few people say that they made stud earrings out of theirs. How can you ensure you'll get two of the same size/color?

You can't ensure it. We got 2 oysters and both had different sized pearls in them and each had a different tint to it or I would've made earrings out of mine too.

 

[ThreeBeans]

I just went with my daughter the first week of May! It was lovely and fun. I do wish it had been a little less crowded though.

There was a group of youngsters in there. They were some sort of youth sporting team, I'd say around ages 12-14. They were all wearing yellow jerseys, if anyone saw them

Anyhow, these young men were EXTREMELY interested in the goings on and crowded round the whole table. I had to say, 'excuse me, pardon me' several times to get close enough to get a number from the cashier, and then they nearly refused to let me and my daughters through when our numbers were called. After we got up there they were nearly standing on top of us they were so very interested in the process

They were only young boys, not rude, but not very aware of social niceties, I think. I was surprised the chaperone with them did not correct them or ask them to give people a bit of space

Anyhow, my point to that little story is, I think it would have been more fun and sweet had it not been QUITE so crowded, but I don't know if that is ever an option at the Japanese P-a-P.

 

[ibcrazie4dizney]

alice-thanks for going to check. but, dgd just picked one on etsy. it was only $6. i just couldn't pass that up. if it were for me or someone a little more responsible, i would probably consider buying a good quality one. she is just so excited after watching on youtube. cant belive things we have just passed by for years and years and now that we have been bringing dgd7 since she was 11 mos, we have found tons of other things to be so interesting and fun.

 

[nannylori]

I've always passed on this when on Disney cruises,as I considered it too expensive,even though I can't remember the price.

My brain is telling me that it sounds less expensive in the park than on the ship,so I think I might actually go for it!

I wish I could remember the exact ship price,but I do remember getting a half off coupon and still thought it was too much money.....but the park prices sound reasonable for a keepsake that can be handed down through the family.

I believe there will be another Pearl customer arriving in November!!!!!

 

[Glencora]

I saw a few people say that they made stud earrings out of theirs. How can you ensure you'll get two of the same size/color?

I picked twins one year, and they were different colors, so they allowed me to switch one out for a pearl that was the same size and color as the one I liked better so my earrings would match. I'd ask if they would do this if they came from two different oysters - I can't see why they wouldn't, but it's safer to ask first.

ETA: They offered to do it; I didn't ask because I wouldn't have thought of it!

 

[Jenny-Rebecca]

When we did ours, we were at the Japan Pavilion pretty close to when they opened at 11am so there were not that many people around. We have seen it get quite crowded. We actually waited a few days...after seeing the LONG line in Japan one afternoon...and checked out the DTD and BC places that do pearls as well, but decided the ceremony and fun in Japan was worth waiting in line for a little while!

 

[FortForever]

I read through a huge thread on this a few months ago and I herd of a few blue oysters, gold oysters and a few pink ones but I never read of any black ones. I heard the ones with blue tinge have blue oysters but I do not know if that is true.

Thanks for the info.

A young boy ahead of me got a blue one and his brother got a huge one. I think it was 10.5. I didn't notice what either oyster looked like.

I guess I will give up on getting a black one. I think mine might be considered pink, although to me it looks white with a pink tint. I wonder if that is what people are calling pink or if there is really a solid pink one?

 

[FutureMrs.Incredible]

I did it during my trip in 2007, and it was sooo fun!! There is a giant tank so you can see all the oysters. It kind of turns into a show. Pick out a really ugly, hairy, older-looking one. That will ensure an advanced, big, and pretty pearl. (I have even heard of people getting two pearls on the DIS and making earrings out of them!!) When I picked my oyster, the lady was really theatrical about it and was like, "Ohhh! That's a good one! I can feeelll it!!" My DMom and I were like, "Okay lady!" But DM and I were a singer and a dancer with both acting experience respectively, so we love to ham it up! We just totally went with it and pretended like we were part of the show. "This is a good one!" "It will be the biggest pearl!" "No, two pearls!" The lady loved it. She cracked it open, and I got a really pretty white pearl that was probably like 1-1.5 carats. Then she buffs it and puts it in a little bowl of sand to show to all the viewers around the tank. And then this woman proceeds to describe the pearl to the people as, "SHINY! WHITE! SHINY! WHITE!" She had this maniacal expression on her face that I will never forget. My DM on I stopped goofing off and just stared dumb-founded. Then she turns to me and goes, "What do you want?? Ring? Necklace? Ring? Necklace?" This gal is a hard sell!! I did want to turn the pearl into jewelry, so I went around to the side of the tank where they have the settings. I picked out one with two small princess CZs on either side, and then they set it for me. I believe it only cost it about $40 total with tax. It turned out really pretty! I absolutely love the ring. Unfortunately though whenever I wear it, my family goes, "SHINY! WHITE! SHINY! WHITE!"

 

[FortForever]

Then she buffs it and puts it in a little bowl of sand

It's salt. But they warn you to never clean it that way again. It's only for the initial cleaning.

I love the Japanese ladies at P-a-P. They pose for great photos also!

 

[CarolinaGirlTiss]

Just did this in April. I have to say I will save my money and do it again the next time I go! I loved it! My husband allowed me to have a ring done. It was a sterling silver ring, a beautiful setting. I love mine so much. It was just over $100 for picking the pearl and the setting. Best part of my day in Epcot for sure!

 

[iheartjuppy]

It was pretty cool but be prepared for a LOT of waiting. We went at a low crowd time, and it still took almost 2 hours start to finish. You wait in line to pre-pay for your pearl and getting a number. Then you wait for your number to be called and you pick your oyster and go through the "show" of getting the pearl. Then wait to pick your setting. Then you get back in line to pay for the chosen setting. Then you wait for your pearl(s) to be put in their setting which takes 30 minutes or more (including drying time). I severely underestimated how long it would take since there were only 3 people ahead of me, and my family was NOT happy to be "stuck" in Japan and tethered to the area of the shop for so long. The end results were great and the actual pearl picking and "show" were cute and the kids loved it, but definitely budget in the right amount of time!