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Valentine’s Day Gift Idea: Pearl Paradise *Giveaway*

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This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to Sand our winner!

Pearls, when made well, are one of the most beautiful stones.  I don’t own a lot of “real” jewelry except for my wedding rings, a necklace my husband bought for Mother’s Day, and a bracelet my Father bought when I graduated college.  However, I have my “list” of pieces I’d love to own some day.  Jewelry is a very personalized purchase but definitely something I enjoy receiving as a gift.

I’ve never actually owned a set of “real” pearls.  My good friend gifted me with a high end costume set which included a pearl necklace, pearl bracelet, and pair of pearl earrings for her wedding many years ago.  And unfortunately, after many years,  it’s evident that the pearls were not real.

I recently learned that pearls vary in type and quality and are often graded.  Pearl Paradise sent me a gorgeous pair of 14kt White Gold Cultured Freshwater Pearl earrings (size 7.5-8.0 mm).  Because I didn’t know much about Freshwater Pearls (and maybe you don’t either), here is a bit of information from the site:

Freshwater pearls are quite possibly the most versatile variety of pearls produced today. They grow in nearly every conceivable shape, the widest range of sizes, and exhibit a palate of pastel colors ranging from dark purple, to light pink and white. Freshwater pearls grow predominately in China, and to a much lesser extent in Japan. While the most commonly produced shapes are baroque, a very small percentage, less than 2% of total production, are considered round or very near round. Our primary focus is that top 2%, selecting only the roundest, cleanest, most lustrous product available on the market today to offer our customers.

Other types of pearls available include Akoya Pearls, Tahitian Pearls, Kamoka Pearls, and more.  When you visit the site, I feel like the company knows pearls.  Pearl Paradise offers information about Pearl Quality, Grading, Types, History, and Care.  In other words, you’ll find everything you ever wanted to know about pearls on the site.  The company is “the world’s largest online pearl company, specializing in providing affordable, high-quality, classic, elegant and stylish pearl jewelry designs at up to 80 percent below retail prices.”

When I opened the box, I was very impressed with their appearance.  They’re large enough to be seen when worn, but not so large that they’re gawdy. Pearls come in a variety of sizes from 6.0 mm to 10.0 mm, so the earrings I received are right in the middle.  Freshwater pearls come in a variety of colors including classic white, natural-color lavender, and pink.  I think I was most impressed with the earrings when I read the Certified Appraisal I received from the company.  The earrings I received retail for $46 on Pearl Paradise.  However, they were appraised at $215.00.  They were given the highest grading with regards to Luster, appraised to be 95% blemish free, and were given an overall rating of AAA.  So my eyes did not deceive me…they are gorgeous!

Along with the earrings (which were nicely displayed in a jewelry box) came a pearl care kit which includes two pearl sachets and a microfibre pearl cloth.  It also includes instructions on how to care for pearls.

There is so much more I could tell you about the company and their pearls.  But honestly you must visit the site.  I used to think that I couldn’t afford a nice set of pearls.  But honestly, you can find pearls for as little as $50 (earrings) to upwards of $10,000 (necklaces).  If you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day gift, I highly recommend checking out Pearl Paradise!

Win It! One of you will win a set of pearl earrings (similar to the ones I received).  Simply leave me a comment with something you liked or learned on the site (other than what was mentioned in my review).  Comments will close on February 7, 2010 at 10 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

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Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

I did not receive compensation for this post.  I did receive a product, courtesy of the company, in order to facilitate my review.

Caryn Bailey
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281 Responses to Valentine’s Day Gift Idea: Pearl Paradise *Giveaway*

  7. I learned that “Pearls are the world’s only organic gemstone, and therefore, tend to be quite delicate. Proper care of your pearl jewelry is essential to ensure your investment will last a lifetime. Personal care products, such as perfume or hairspray, can severely damage the luster and beauty of a pearl.”

    Reply

  10. I think that the Solara Collection White South Sea Pearl Pendant is stunning.. I just love pearls and the classic look they give off.

    Reply

  12. I’m hinting to my husband that the 7.0-7.5 mm AA+ Black Akoya Pearl Bracelet would be the perfect gift for Valentines day.

    Reply

  14. I love pearls! They so classic and elegant. One item I found on the Pearl Paradise site that I think is gorgeous is the Black Freshwater Pearl Bracelet. The black pearls are so striking!! Thanks for a fabulous giveaway!

    Reply

  44. I learned that PearlParadise.com is giving back by donating $1 million worth of fine pearl jewelry to charities and non-profit organizations around the United States for exclusive use in silent and live auction fundraisers.
    they are giving away 2,007 pieces of fine pearl jewelry. Each piece will have an average retail value of $500. they hope our contribution will make a positive difference to those who need it most.

    Reply

  54. What girl doesn’t love all jewelry? I esp love their rings like the: Bloom Collection Tahitian Pearl & Diamond Ring

    schiffam21(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  62. I learned that there is no officially recognized, standard system for grading pearls, except in the case of Tahitian pearls, where grading and export is controlled by the French Polynesian government. Interesting!

    Reply

  71. I love pearls! I especially love black pearls. If I had oodles of cash I would get the Celestial Collection Diamond Rondelle and Tahitian Pearl Necklace!

    Reply

  84. I learned that Tahitian pearls can grow in a variety of colors, from white to jet black. I always assumed they were gray or black.
    carawling (at) hotmail (dot) com

    Reply

  110. Going for a high end piece of jewelry, I would love to have any color of the Purity Collection Pearl and Diamond pendants.

    Reply

  115. I was reeading on t he site that they have a showroom in LA, but they “offer only one appointment per day, and these are often booked weeks in advance.” Wow, way to keep it exclusive. Would love to win the earrings. Thanks

    Reply

  130. I learned from their site that they are a great charitable company: “Do you know of a charity or non-profit organization that would appreciate a helping hand in an upcoming silent or live auction? We would be happy to donate a piece of fine pearl jewelry. “

    Reply

  132. Oh boy, they are beautiful! I fell in love with the Tahitian Pearls right away. I love their color & I’d love to have a braclet in them. My son gifted me with a beautiful pearl necklace years ago & it’s still just as beautiful. It pays to get good pearls.

    Reply

  134. I learned that PearlParadise.com has adopted the Tahitian pearl grading standards set forth by GIE Perles de Tahiti, and the Ministere de la Perliculture of Tahiti;

    Reply

  136. I really like the dangle pearl earrings. Cant afford them, but I like them!!!!

    9.0-10.0 to 13.0-14.0 mm AAA White South Sea Pearl Dangle Earrings
    Retail Price: $3,550.00
    Priced From: $715.00
    Item: WSE-Classic

    Reply

  141. I would dearly love to have the 6/0-7/0 mm White Freshwater {ear; Mecl;ace Item: FWN100 they are so beautiful, and I’ve never owned anything as lovely and as expensive as this. They’d go lovely IF I won the pearl earrings, too.

    Reply

  146. In their education tab… I found this interesting: “Greek mythology proclaimed pearls to be tears of joy shed by the goddess Aphrodite.”

    Reply

  170. I like the 37-inch AA+/AAA 8.1-11.2 mm Tahitian Round Pearl Necklace
    Retail Price: $28,000.00
    Priced From: $5,700.00
    Who wouldn’t?

    Reply

  188. I learned that conch pearls are extrememly rare! 1 in 10,000 conch will have a pearl and out of that only some will be formed well! they are pink and rare and expensive and beautiful!! They also cant be cultivated like other pearls!

    Reply

  194. Pearl Paradise is the reason I picked pearls as a theme for my wedding. I love everything on their site. I would LOVE to win these as a mother-of-the-bride gift.

    Reply

  201. My sister also loves the 9.0-9.5 mm Pink to Peach Freshadama Freshwater Pearl Necklace. Please accept my entry. Thank you.

    Reply

  203. I also love the Double Strand White Akoya Pearl Bracelet.
    Thank you so much for the chance to win.

    jweezie43[at]aol[dot]com

    Reply

  210. I learned, among other things, that they are the largest online pearl company – and that I love their products. Thanks so much for the great review – companies these days are brilliant with these bloggy givewaways. Most of us would much rather hear about a product from someone else – especially another mom, then a slick ad. Would love to do what you do, what fun and such a great service!

    Oh and thanks for the chance to win.

    Reply

  218. I fell in love with the Golden South Sea pearls but have to admit a case of ‘sticker shock’ when I saw the pricing. And I learned why – they are among the rarest and most valuable pearls available! 🙂

    Reply

  226. I love the 18-inch AA+ 8.3 to 11.5 mm Baroque Tahitian Pearl Necklace
    Item Code: TAN000-698.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  246. I fell in love wth the Orbit Collection’s Tahitian Peal/Diamond ring. I have never owned anyting pearl and I love how beautiful pearl is.

    Reply

  250. Freshwater pearls are grown primarily in man-made lakes and reservoirs in China. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  253. Freshwater pearls are produced by Hyriopsis cumingi (triangle shell) and Hyriopsis schlegeli (Biwa shell) commercially in China, and other bivalve mussels that live in lakes, riverbeds, and creek bottoms in Japan (Biwa pearls and Lake Kasumigaura pearls), as well the United States (Mississippi River Basin).

    Reply

  265. My favorite item on the site is the 9.0-10.0 to 12.0-13.0 mm AAA Golden South Sea Pearl & Diamond Earrings. Thanks!

    Reply

  267. I learned that I have very expensive taste:
    I want
    18-inch AAA 11.0-13.0 mm South Sea and Tahitian Pearl Necklace
    Retail Price: $52,750.00
    Priced From: $10,550.00
    Item: SSN-100-Pelosi

    Reply

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