Lake Biwa in Japan became the first commercial source of whole beaded freshwater pearls in the late 1920s. During the 1950s, beadless Lake Biwa pearls began to be produced but didn’t appear on the American market until 1962. The pearls were popular with designers during the 1970s. Unfortunately, production stopped in the 1980s due to pollution.
Eve’s interest in freshwater pearls started in the late 1980s when a client asked her if a $50 strand of “rice” pearls she’d bought in Hong Kong was real. Eve was determined to learn about those rough cultured pearls, which she’d never seen before. None were at the next trade show, but a far corner booth had a few strands of much lovelier, smooth-but not round- Biwa pearls with a seductive luster. They were expensive, but she bought them anyway.
After Eve displayed the Lake Biwa pearls in her store, a well-to-do client became attached to a $6000 long double strand of them. Her 60th birthday was approaching, so she asked her husband to buy them as a present. He refused saying: “Pearls? I don’t know anything about pearls. I’m not spending that kind of money on pearls!” He then called Eve and said: “I want to buy her a diamond.”
Eve knew she already had diamonds so asked him to come with his wife so they could decide together. Grumbling, he agreed. But even after her client longingly modeled the beautiful Biwa pearls, he was unmoved. Turning to her, he asked:” don’t you want a diamond?”
To Eve‘s surprise, she lowered her head and said: “I guess so.” Eve then purchased the 2.5-carat VVS/E stone he wanted, made the ring, and he was satisfied. The next morning though, his wife called Eve and said in tears “why did you let him buy me the diamond?”
Eve then asked her “Why did you tell him ‘yes’?” She was afraid of him and his temper.
She returned the diamond and ring, and Eve never saw those clients again.
After learning a lesson, Eve reflected on his statement: I DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT PEARLS. That is when, in January of 1990, Eve founded The Pearl Society to help educate people about pearls.
Learn more about Eve and her unique jewelry at www.evejewelry.com. Photo by Matthew Arden.
You can also learn more about pearls in my upcoming book: Pearls: Their History, Sources, Types & Qualities published by Firefly Books. www.reneenewman.com/Pearls.htm
About the author:
Renée Newman is a gemologist (GG, GIA), lecturer, writer and author of 15 books on gems and jewelry. Her goal is to provide consumers and jewelry professionals with unbiased, affordable information on how to buy, evaluate and appreciate gems and jewelry. She can be reached through her website:
