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South Sea Pearls

By Sasha Manuel

26 September 2008 282 views 10 Comments

Macbook Air | Style Manila, Manila Fashion Blog
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Confused? Let me get right on it then. Who would’ve thought that a pearl necklace would cost more than a Macbook Air priced at $1,799 (converted: Php 82,754)? Yea, it’s true. This gorgeous, gorgeous set of South Sea Pearls I had seen costs Php 85,000!

In a recent trip to Puerto Princesa, Palawan, I saw this beauty displayed — alas! — in a nondescript shop that sells pearl jewelry. I had initially thought that the most they would sell their stuff were just above a thousand, seeing that the shop’s pretty open to the public with no security whatsoever and that it’s in the public market. But, boy, was I ever wrong. Astounding!

Not being a pearl-type person, I simply browsed through the selection nonchalantly while my good friends R and M shopped their hearts out but my heart stopped when I spotted these pearls.


e71: South Sea Pearls
Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel | Taken with a Nokia E71

I actually asked to see these babies up close, the seller was sort of hesitant in taking them out. She had simply said, “South Sea Pearls po yan, ma’am” and clueless little me just said, “Oh, okay. Can I see them?”

I was attracted to the size of the perfect un-perfect-textured pearls. They were huge! I’m guessing they were between 10cm and 15cm in diameter! I thought them to be so sophisticated and precious. I fell in love.

After examining them, I automatically asked for the price and, yea, my eyes bulged in amazement when I found out. This is one of the times when I’d wanted to kick myself for having judged the situation wrong. Never, ever underestimate the exterior. You’ll never know what sort of treasure it has in store.

I guess it’s true what friends say that I tend to be attracted to pieces of real value; explains why I end up buying a relatively expensive item.

Anyway, do you wear pearls? What sort? Why wear pearls? Would you actually spend Php 85K on this pair?

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10 Comments »

  • Bambi said:

    I actually do love pearls. I have a bunch of them. Some are even heirlooms. I just think that it’s sophisticated yet simple at the same time. I have it in different sizes, shapes and shades. =)

    As for me spending Php 85,000…I would have to say NO…but I think my mom would. =)

    # 28 September 2008 at 1:39 am
  • Sasha Manuel said:

    I only have a few pearls but they’re mostly in chains. I’d love to own something like these but yea, it’s totally out of my spending power.. on jewelry. LOL. Hi Bambi! It’s nice to see you here. :)

    # 29 September 2008 at 12:01 am
  • minnie said:

    OMG its having a Mac on your neck!!! that’s insane :)

    # 16 October 2008 at 3:11 am
  • Style Manila » Blog Archive » Dressing Up the Miss said:

    [...] As for accessories, you need not over do it. Tone down on accessories if you can. Wear something to match the simplicity of the look we’re trying to create, go for pearls! [...]

    # 14 November 2008 at 4:30 am
  • Dianne said:

    I wear pearls a lot. My favorite accessory is a pair of stone-studded pearl earrings which my Mom got on her trip abroad. I love the classic elegance of pearls, but I don’t think I’ll shell out 85k for that.

    # 20 November 2008 at 8:12 am
  • virlyn said:

    that’s pretty cool! never seen such big pearl for real (i saw little pearl while diving though) but just thinking how hard to get such pearls, well yeah the price is right. wheew, 85K I really can’t afford that!

    # 20 November 2008 at 11:34 pm
  • maryjoyce said:

    You can get real freshwater pearls in Palawan cheap. But the really beautiful ones are the south sea pearls and these are really really expensive. ack! i cannot afford one right now,but i see myself buying them in the future.

    # 22 November 2008 at 10:20 pm
  • Tessa said:

    Love pearls! Those are gorgeous!

    # 24 November 2008 at 11:21 pm
  • january said:

    my ninang gave me one last year as christmas gift, it’s a stud earing with a single titus stone…would definitely not lavish on a set of pearls for 85k ;)

    # 25 November 2008 at 6:56 pm
  • Dianne said:

    My tita has a pearl necklace from Jewelmer which costs more than 100k! I couldn’t believe it! Such splurging is hilarious (but then again, since she can afford it, why not, right?).

    # 25 November 2008 at 7:40 pm

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