About our Pearls for your Comfort
What is a Mikimoto Pearl?
Mikimoto pearl is a BRANDNAME not a type of pearl,VistaPearls is also a brandname, but we are not a pearl type. Both Mikimoto and VistaPearls are cultured pearls, both fresh and saltwater pearls.To make it more clear, Japanese Akoya Pearl is a type of pearl. The big difference is NOT the quality, but the price, Mikimoto sells up to 5 times the price! When you purchase from VistaPearls, take your pearls to any Mikimoto shop and you won't be able to tell the difference in quality.
What is the difference between Saltwater and Freshwater Pearls?
Saltwater Pearls
These pearls originate within a saltwater mollusk. Most pearls are cultured, because of lack of efficient and un-polluted waters it is rare to find natural Pearls. Salt water cultured pearls are mostly found in Japan, however, China has greatly improved there quality to match Japanese Saltwater pearls, such as the Akoya pearls from Japan.
Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater pearl refers to a natural or cultured pearl that grows inside of a freshwater mollusk-which lives in a river or a lake. These types of pearls are mostly found in East Asia. Freshwater pearls are cheaper in price because they are easier to culture, but are gaining HIGH ground and quality because of better cultivation, and most notably, mainland China has been able to produce one of the top pearls in Asia, and Chinese fresh water pearls are begining to compete with even the best saltwater pearls in the world in shape, luster, and size.
How do I know the Pearls I receive is the quality I purchased?
One thing about pearls, they're not PERFECT, thats what makes them unique, rare, and beautiful. We send our customers a Certificate of Appraissal and Authenticity, certifying the quality of the pearls, its grade, color, and much more. We have standard strands for all our pearls, and every pearl website should have a standard strand for all its pearls, if they don't, it's a risk you may not want to be in. Compare the pearls in retail shops and you'll know what you are getting is much better.
How is the retail price determined in USA or Canada?
This is a complicated one, but to keep it clear, like with any other product, a chain of suppliers-distributors-agents-etc...will add to the price. The best way to avoid such high prices is by going to the direct source, VistaPearls goes directly to pearl farms, keeping the price extremely low. We use our STANDARD STRANDS when we compare retail prices in the US. Our customer sometimes go into pearl shops and have their pearls calculated for there market value and they come back with positive feedback from their local jewelry experts.
What if I walk down the street, say to a Tiffany's, and find the same quality Pearl at a lesser price?
I'd say buy it! But chances are that won't happen. As you might expect with all the competition in the Pearl Retail Business in USA, they run really expensive than those you'd find at our online shop, rest assure, we have no middlemen or agents, strictly from the pearl farms, directly to our customers.
What is an IDEAL pearl?
Here's some useful information from the "Cultured Pearl Information Center in New York":
A. Luster- Luster refers to a combination of surface shine and a deep, almost three-dimensional glow emanating from within the heart of the pearl. To judge luster, look at your reflection in the surface of the pearl. The clearer and crisper the reflection, the better the luster and more valuable the pearl. Any pearl that looks too dull or chalky indicates a lower quality pearl.
B. Surface- Because cultured pearls are created by nature it is rare to find a pearl that is completely free of any surface blemishes, like pits, spots or small bumps. Still, the fewer the blemishes on a pearl, the more valuable it is.
C. Shape- The rounder and more symmetrical a pearl, the more valuable it is. However, baroque pearls, which are irregular in shape and often cost less, can be very beautiful.
D. Color- Pearls come in a variety of colors from silver/white to cream to rose and gold-toned pearls
E. Size- Cultured pearls are measured by their diameter in millimeters. Pearls range from 2 millimeters up to 10 millimeters. Other factors being equal, the larger the pearl, the more valuable it is.
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What is a Pearls Grading Report A, AA, AAA?
The pearl industry as a whole has NOT adopted an international standard grading system. For unfortunate reasons, each pearl jeweler has his "own" grading, and the pearl may differ from other pearl experts. However, there is a general consensus of agreement on the AAA-A grading system. The grading looks at:
Surface of the pearl
Not one single pearl can be completelty free of marks, even if its not visible, pearls are a natures doing, and we all know that nature is not perfect, but we can assesed at the surface carefully by determining how much you can actually see that will make the pearl look "clean" and "free" of blemishes.
Luster of the pearl
How much reflection does the pearl ignite? Like a mirror, can you see yourself clearly? Can you see a 3 dimensional appearance of the pearl? Does it "shine" from a distance? Or does it look dull? These are important questions we ask before we grade the pearls.
Shape of the pearl
Are the pearls well matched in terms of shape and strung accordingly by size of shape? Do the pearls assert an evenly and appropiate magnitude in accordance to its shape? We inspect the shape of the pearls as a jewelry, this is important for you as the customer, because when you wear them, the pearls are to be visible in shape and size as awhole.
Learn more about VistaPearls Grading system
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About VistaPearls People and Company
Why VistaPearls.com is a name I should trust in the Pearl industry?
Well, we have a high standard of maintaning our trust with our customers, we manage to maintain online security and privacy, and most importantly,we invite our customers to learn more about pearls before they make a purchase. We assure our name maintains high standards in the pearl industry.
Where do you keep your Pearls?
Most of our inventory is in China with some in San Diego, Ca USA. VistaPearls maintains a strong presence in Asia, especially East China to ensure a high level of trust and quality inspection. This makes us different from many other online pearl websites our main office is in Shanghai. Our proximity to pearl farms, allow us to have a high-quality inventory, to assure our customers receive the very best, from our trustworthy pearl farms.
Shipping
How long will it take for my Fed-EX package arrive?
Your fed-ex package should take no more than 5 working days. However, please consider purchasing a few days before the holidays or other significant days. FEDEX and other fast courier may possibly delay your package because of the holiday overwhelmingness.
I might not be home when the courier arrives with my Pearls, what will happen?
VistaPearls will have a phone number that you have provided when you made your purchase. The courier company will call you, but VistaPearls will not allow the courier to leave the package without prior signature.
How do you package and deliver my Pearls?
We ship your pearls immediatley once the online transaction is complete,usually within 24 hours. We use FedEx, for fast and dependable deliverance for the USA, UK, Western Europe, and Australia all within 3-5 working days. All orders have a FedEx tracking number that we keep in our system once it's shipped, and we will also inform you immediatley.
What if my purchase arrives and I don't like it after all?
Well, with all our Pearl advisors and on-line catalog information, we hope that won't happen! But if it does, and you aren't satisfied with your purchase, VistaPearls provides a 60-day, money back guarantee.
Remember, I've said it before and I'll say it again: A well-informed customer is the best customer, even if you end up buying your Pearls from someone else. VistaPearls.com enjoys a high level of trust with customers and we want that same level of trust with you. We also want to make it easy and safe for you to do business with us, and what easier way than to shop on-line through a secure transaction service?
Paying Online for my VistaPearls
Does VistaPearls.com use cookies?
"Cookies" are small pieces of information that are stored by your browser on your computer's hard drive. Currently, if you place an item in a shopping basket during your visit to VistaPearls.com we will create a cookie containing a unique customer number on your computer. This function enables us to store items in your shopping cart until you make a purchase. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually change your browser to prevent such acceptance, which will result in your inability to purchase online from us. We do not retain any individualized information as a result of our use of cookies.
What Credit Card Payments do you accept?
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover Card. In the event of a return, purchases made from a credit card will only be refunded to the same card. We only use PAYPAL, for all transactions, one of the world's most used online transactions.
Will VistaPearls.com privacy policy change?
We may change or enhance our policy to improve our service to you. If we do change our policy, we will note those changes on our Web site. A message will be displayed on our home page for a period of time that a change has been made, and the change will be highlighted within the privacy policy. You are welcome to refer to this policy each time you are considering making a purchase. Please click for VistaPearls privacy policy
How does VistaPearls.com use the individualized information that we collect?
In addition to using the information referenced above to fulfill your purchase order, we also retain your name, address, email address and purchase information in our customer database. We use that information to track your order, to respond to your inquiries and to make subsequent purchases you wish to make it easier and faster. We also may use that information, from time to time, to contact you concerning our products, services, sales, pearlpoints, or special promotions of VistaPearls.com. We try to limit those contacts to ones that might be of interest to you. If you would prefer not to be contacted about our special offers, products or services, please notify us by email.
We currently send emails only to those VisaPearls who request that we provide them with information about our products and services. If you have previously requested such emails, but have changed your mind, contact us by e-mail. You may also use the above e-mail adress to correct or update any of the individual information we have stored.
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How do I know my on-line transaction will be secure- that you'll get my money and I'll get my Pearls?
Yes, on-line purchasing involves a leap of faith sometimes. But let me assure you that our financial and service records at VistaPearls.com are secure. When you pay via the VistaPearls website, all of your credit card financial information are maintain by using PayPal.Your personal information is safe with the SSL protocol we adopted. Also, we do not give out any of our customer information to other organizations or other commercial websites. We also limit our staff to get access to such information.
Shopping for Her!
Suggested Occasions to buy for her
Sweet Sixteen
Quinceanera
Birthdays
Valentine's Day
Mother's Day
June Pearl
Birthstone Month
Weddings
Anniversaries
Christmas
Graduation
Business Promotions
What length of a classic necklace should I get?
Choker
A 16 inch necklace
Great look for women with forceful and strong appearance
Princess
An 18 inch necklace
The most easiest to wear with any informal or formal wear, you can never go wrong with this sophisticated one
Matinee
A 23 inch necklace
Regarded to be the most striving and most fashionable and at times formal, best worn at a nice cocktail party
How much should I budget for Pearls?
Pearls price is determined by many factors, but most notably consumers tend to prefer bigger pearls, bigger pearls tend to cost a bit more, but it doesn't neccesarliy mean small pearls are of less value, all pearls are beautiful, and a person ought to buy pearls according to there own taste.
How do I know what she'll like?
While color of a pearl is really a matter of preference, but usually rose or silver/white pearls tend to look best on fair skins, while cream and gold-toned pearls flatter darker complexions. Remember pearls are an important part of a women's everyday jewelry. They can be worn for special and elegant occasions, as well with casual wear, and they always compliment any complexion.
Hard-working career women who does it all, a classic strand of cultured pearls will do the trick. A cultured pearl strand is a must-have in every woman's jewelry wardrobe and can be worn with everything from a business suit to a cocktail dress or jeans.
Teenager daughter or niece, simple pearl earrings. Pearl studs will take a young woman through the most important events in her life, from her prom night to her first job interview to her wedding day. They will truely last her a life time of memories.
Mother or Grandmother perhaps already has a much-treasured strand of cultured pearls. A matching bracelet or earrings is the perfect gift to show her how much you love and cherish her. If she doesn't have one, a classic 16 inch or 18 inch necklace will sure to bring her in happiness.
Wife or Girlfriend is probably the hardest mission of all. You want to get her something that shows her how much you care, something feminine and fashionable, and, most importantly, something she won't want to return. Dramatic pearl drop earrings or a modern multi-strand collar are gifts she will cherish for many years.
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My Purchased Pearls
How is the length of a pearl necklace or bracelet determined?
Our pearl necklaces,and bracelets lengths are included with the clasp's length, thus, when the necklace or bracelet is locked, the total length will be accordingly as followed, such as a 16inch or 18inch necklace.
What do the clasps look like and what are they made of?
We have a variety of clasps, most are 14k/585 which contains 58.5% gold (very different from 14k/20L which only contains 5% gold). We also have a few clasps that you may choose, depending on your purchase, such as some with diamond crusted plated in white gold. All our clasp are inspected thoroughly before they are implemented on the pearls.
How are Pearls tied and do I need them re-strung later?
All well-prepared pearl necklace like VistaPearls are tied with silk thread,each pearl is hand knotted on silk,the pearls are carefully seperated and in between each pearl the knot is tightened really well. But if you wear them often, lets say, 2-5 times a week, you will need to go a jewelry shop to get them restrung, this is a normal procedure for all pearl necklaces.
How do I keep my Pearls Beautiful?
Pearls need to breath and need moisture and care at all times. Pearls should always be kept seperately from other jewelry at all times.
Here are some tips to maintain your pearls in its true beauty:
Always take your pearls off when applying cosmetics, hair sprays and perfume these products contain chemicals and acids that harm your pearls.
Remove your pearls when showering or swimming. The chlorine can damage the pearls and the silk string should also not get wet with chlorine.
Do Not use commercial jewelry cleaners on pearls unless the labels say that they are safe for pearls. Many of them contain ammonia, which will cause deterioration.
Never use detergents, bleaches, powdered cleansers, baking soda, or ammonia- based cleaners on pearls.
Do Not use scouring pads or toothbrushes to clean pearls. They can scratch their surface.
After you wear them, just wipe them off with a soft cloth, very gently. This will prevent dirt from accumulating. If the pearls are very dirty, your jeweler can clean them or they can be washed in water and mild soap such as Ivory and cleaned gently with a soft cloth. After washing lay the pearls flat on a moist kitchen towel to dry. After the towel is dry, so should be your pearls. Do not wear them when the string is wet. Likewise, do not hang pearls to dry.
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Returns and Exchanges
How does VistaPearls handle the refund process?
You need to keep your Certificate of Appraisal and Authenticity along with your Money Back Guranteed Certificate in a safe place, both carry numerical codes on the upper right hand side, that will help us with your item(s) you wish to return. Please check for further details on "Returns and Exchanges"
How long do I have before I can get a refund?
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