Ringed pearl rip-off?

[alibeth]

With apologies to those that love them but I think Honora are just raking it in with what are basically flawed pearls. I do not expect pearls to be absolutely perfect and I quite like the baroque shapes but I do want them to be as smooth and blemish free as possible. I think they've hit on a clever marketing ploy with these ringed ones, selling the ridges on the pearls as a plus rather than a minus. Just shown a strand for over £250, ok they were large but still defects in my opinion. I'd want a proper, unmarked pearl for my money.

 

[Susie Wusie]

l totally agree with you, l have bought some and been very disappointed with what looks to everyone like defective pearls

 

[Pinkpussycat]

I don't mind the ringred pearls but I wouldn't pay £250 for them.

 

[star234]

I like the rings, but I would never pay 250 for a ringed pearl necklace. Saying that I have not bought anything from honora for over a year now, but still enjoy my rather cheaper ringed pearl things I bought years ago with them/from them

 

[rosielinks]

I agree. I love pearls - baroque, pototo shaped, small or large, but I don't like ringed or keshi pearls - they just look plain weird to me.
I also dislike the bright colours like indigo, kiwi, etc.
Call me old-fashioned but a pearl should be smooth and a natural -ish colour - champagne, grey, black, white, pinkish or with apricot maybe some mauve. I don't like a mismatch of brightly coloured pearls either. Some of these necklaces look like metal.
I'd rather have less pearl in silver.
Sorry Ralph - he does go on doesn't he.

 

[tinaborder]

The ringed pearls are obviously v popular with customers. I personally really like them - horses for courses I suppose. I like them because it shows they are real - nobody could fake them as every one is different. You can get some amazing fakes, sorry in QVC talk that's 'faux'! If I had £250 to spend though I wouldn't buy ringed pearls.

I have a lot of Honora but nothing has grabbed me today - just as well as I'm supposed to be being good!

 

[Pinkpussycat]

Sorry Ralph - he does go on doesn't he.

He certainly does. :sleepy: Is he breaking new teef in as well because they look very shiny white and bigger than I remember. :wonder:

 

[boffy]

i have the really long black ring pearls ( not honora ) that have a silver shortner and come in a lovely silk handbag.

i think they have a lot of character. i cannot afford perfect pearls and to be honest i dont think i would pay the many thousands they can cost!

 

[lilylurknomore]

With apologies to those that love them but I think Honora are just raking it in with what are basically flawed pearls. I do not expect pearls to be absolutely perfect and I quite like the baroque shapes but I do want them to be as smooth and blemish free as possible. I think they've hit on a clever marketing ploy with these ringed ones, selling the ridges on the pearls as a plus rather than a minus. Just shown a strand for over £250, ok they were large but still defects in my opinion. I'd want a proper, unmarked pearl for my money.

They're hideous IMO BUT what do you expect for £40 (today's TSV)?! Blemish free pearls cost thousands. One thing I'm slightly miffed about is, Ralph keep harping on about them being in the top 3%. NO THEY'RE NOT!! WHAT A LIE!! Mikimoto ONLY use the top 3% and their pearls are beautiful and blemish free.

PS if you love pearls, this is a really interesting read about how they all started...

http://kokichi.mikimoto.com/en/

 

[boffy]

lovely story. expensive but beautifull pearls.:nod:

 

[Slave to Fashion]

With apologies to those that love them but I think Honora are just raking it in with what are basically flawed pearls. I do not expect pearls to be absolutely perfect and I quite like the baroque shapes but I do want them to be as smooth and blemish free as possible. I think they've hit on a clever marketing ploy with these ringed ones, selling the ridges on the pearls as a plus rather than a minus. Just shown a strand for over £250, ok they were large but still defects in my opinion. I'd want a proper, unmarked pearl for my money.

Could not agree more, but with pearls being more fashionable today especially with younger ladies I suppose they have to cater for all budgets. I have bought several pearl items from an on line retailer, some fashion in silver, some more expensive pieces set n 14ct gold and the quality is far superior to Honora, and might i add very competitively priced.

Just thought I would mention, when ever a T-caller asks Ralph how to clean them he always says "they should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off" which is true, but I think they mean how do you you clean the silver without damaging the pearls!! IMO quality pearls should only be set yellow/white gold and platinum.

 

[clairella]

I have to be honest, I had never seen pearls like these until QVC.
Obviously I realise now they are real pearls from watching QVC, but If I hadn't watched QVC, and seen someone wearing them I wouldn't have thought they were real........
My god that sounds like a bit of a mouthful.........but u know where i'm coming from......
I HOPE...
is it :glass: time yet?

 

[boffy]

They're hideous IMO BUT what do you expect for £40 (today's TSV)?! Blemish free pearls cost thousands. One thing I'm slightly miffed about is, Ralph keep harping on about them being in the top 3%. NO THEY'RE NOT!! WHAT A LIE!! Mikimoto ONLY use the top 3% and their pearls are beautiful and blemish free.

PS if you love pearls, this is a really interesting read about how they all started...

http://kokichi.mikimoto.com/en/

these pearls are japanese pearls and qvc have sold japanese pearls in the past.

ralphs pearls are chinese freswater pearls.

i dont like the coloured pearls at all but they showed some jet black ones that i would like at some point.

 

[Miss Kitty]

Could not agree more, but with pearls being more fashionable today especially with younger ladies I suppose they have to cater for all budgets. I have bought several pearl items from an on line retailer, some fashion in silver, some more expensive pieces set n 14ct gold and the quality is far superior to Honora, and might i add very competitively priced.

Just thought I would mention, when ever a T-caller asks Ralph how to clean them he always says "they should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off" which is true, but I think they mean how do you you clean the silver without damaging the pearls!! IMO quality pearls should only be set yellow/white gold and platinum.

Would you mind posting the link if that was OK with you?

 

[Slave to Fashion]

Would you mind posting the link if that was OK with you?

No problem, hope you find something you like.

www.absolutepearls.co.uk

 

[Slave to Fashion]

Sounds like Ralph has been reading our posts as he has just mentioned that he knows not everyone likes ringed pearls but prefers smooth umbleshed ones.

 

[boffy]

gosh they'll be asking us about the state of the nation next.

do you think that qvc should give us a fee or do an annual party for us forumites lol!:clapping:

 

[Loveinamist]

gosh they'll be asking us about the state of the nation next.

do you think that qvc should give us a fee or do an annual party for us forumites lol!:clapping:

Or a whopping great big thorn in their sides.

 

[nannieA]

I loooove pearls and at the moment I believe that
TJC's can't be beaten for value.
Yes I've had some iffy ones and returned them but I've also had some great ones.
I have bought Honora in the past but their prices for their odd shapes are wayyy too high for me.
Their ring pearls over a £100 a strand are taking the proverbial.

 

[Miss Kitty]

No problem, hope you find something you like.

www.absolutepearls.co.uk

It's a lovely site - thank you very much.