JUST IN! THESE HAND MADE LEATHER AND PEARL CUFF BRACELETS IN ADJUSTABLE SIZES

ARE RIPE FOR SUMMER WEAR! I KNOW YOU HAVE ALL LONGED FOR THE LEATHER

BRACELETS OF YESTER YEAR>>> SO I HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY THESE FRESH KOJIMA

DESIGNS! PLEASE SEE THE BRACELET SECTION OF THE JEWELRY STORE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PHOTOS> HAPPY SUNSHINE TO YOU ALL. LOVE, SARAH

First off… a few days ago we dove into the back of the “forgotten” safe of vintage pearls.. and started unwrapping some treasures. I am most excited about the wraps full of VINTAGE Lake Biwa pearl strands. These pearls were once bought and sold by Pacific Pearls both in Tokyo and Hong Kong with regularity, evenutally with the demise of production in Japan’s Lake Biwa and the growing success  of the trade in Chinese fresh water pearls, these rare pearls found themselves on the back shelves of the pearl shop.  I set to stringing up some of this 40 year old collection right away! Slowly but surely I will be sharing these as finished necklaces and strands! I love pearls with a story.. and these pearls are nothing with out their provenance. It feels good to know exactly where they come from.. and that after 40 years.. the colors and luster are still elegant and bright!

As always I have been busy here. Making new friends… discovering the Mona Lisa in a wall of toast, shopping for pearls, riding the ferry, visiting with friends and being silly, while proving the theories of Einstein over and over again!

My most favorite purchases thus far have been:

32" endless ropes of natural color Tahitian banded pearls in silver and mixed colors

16" strand of massive baroque Chinese fresh water pearls in natural deep lavender and golden tones

13- 15mm natural color Chinese fresh water deep pondslime near round graduated strand

STAY TUNED… THERE IS STILL A WEEK OF PEARL SHOPPING TO GO… and loads more to be uploaded to the website. I hope you all enjoyed a long and wonderful weekend!

KOJIMAPEARLCOM

AND NOW FOR

Since March 11th I have been in contact every few days with our dear friends who produce these very rare and special Japanese fresh water pearls in Lake Kasumi ga Ura.  In fact this newsletter has been edited and re-edited many times. Thank you to all those who have expressed their concern for our family and friends in Japan.

Thankfully I am happy to report that the farmers and their families are all in good health following this tragic event. One of the farmers was in his boat on the lake tending to the pearls when the earthquake hit. He realized what was happening and was able to make it to higher ground. Their houses were shaken so badly that everything inside was tossed about, and there is some structural damage to two of the buildings. At first the report was that there was no damage to the pearl farm.. however with more time to inspect… it became clear that 40% of one of the farms was destroyed, and there was considerable damage in two of the other farming locations. The worst of the damage was the loss of  the water tank which is used to nurture the baby mussels to adulthood . This is a 5000 square meter water tank.. and it is vital to ensuring the future of pearl production in Lake Kasumi…. and the lively hood of these precious people.

At present there is little that can be done in terms of work or repair. . Even though the farm is roughly 100miles away from the nuclear power plant at Fukushima.. the people of Kasumi ga Ura have been instructed to stay inside as much as possible. The fear of exposure is still very real. There has been no postal service since March 11th.. and there are very few supplies. Gasoline is in high demand.. and not easily obtained, according to the farmers, this is one of the biggest struggles.

I have learned a lot about our friends in these last weeks.. that they are strong people, that they are positive and humble through the toughest of circumstances….. and that their passion for producing pearls is helping to keep them inspired through this extreme time of uncertainty and sadness.

In support of our amazing farmers and the tradition they work so hard to maintain… will be offering a 10% discount on all Japan Kasumi pearls and in turn we will be donating 10% of all of those sales of Japan Kasumi pearls back to the farmers to help them in their efforts to recover their water tank and damaged farms… and to ensure that they can continue to produce these pearls that have become so loved as symbols of natural brilliance grown with the spirit of small and careful production.

As we all have been inundated with the news of this tragedy.. it is no secret that  THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE STILL SUFFERING IN JAPAN.. and I hope that you will all consider making a donation to the PEOPLE in need BEFORE supporting us in our efforts to rebuild what was damaged of the pearl farms at Lake Kasumi. There are many many aid organizations to choose from, here is just one suggestion : http://www.americares.org/

PLEASE USE THE DISCOUNT CODE : JAPANKASUMI

FROM NOW UNTIL JUNE 12 2011

(the discount code may also be used on items that do not contain Japan Kasumi pearls.. and for those sales, I will donate 5% to the farmers of Lake Kasumi)

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND INTERNET SHOPPING BUDDIES!

This last year was one of the  largest harvests in many years.. and full of rich deep colors, these pearls are a delight to photograph, and play with. As many of you know (and some of you may not).. These pearls come from the only pearl producing lake in Japan, Lake Kasumi ga Ura (which translates to “the body of water beyond the mist”. There are ONLY 3 farmers working tirelessly to seed, maintain and harvest this production. That is 3.. just 3 people!!!  not thousands, just 3 people. These pearls represent a labor of love.. and dedication deeper than greed. The beauty of this shows in the pearls. These pearls are not mass produced..they are the opposite of that!

I can say that this year there is a larger percentage of deep color round pearls.. which is something not easily found in the past. For many years  the coveted deep purple Japan Kasumi pearls were always baroque.. so to open the cloth bags and find even 20 pieces of deep purple round pearls.. I was overjoyed with these! There are of course hundreds of the baroque pearls with deeply rippled surfaces in various colors.

Every year, I open the bags of Japan Kasumi and become interwoven with the harvest for many hours as I slowly sort these pearls into piles of similar quality and brilliance. (and occasionally find a few pairs.. which is not an easy task considering their propensity towards quirky characteristics). With pearls spread out on the table, in careful little bundles.. I slowly put the strands together. Next I drill each pearl, in each strand. After so many years.. it is with pleasure that we can exhibit the new strands in Tucson for all to see, and I am always amazed how many people stop by just to see “them”. We humbly owe the very existence of these pearls to the farmers. This year I was happy have finished several strands.. each with a unique glow.

RECENTLY WE HAD A CUSTOMER SEND US THIS PHOTO OF HER BELOVED STRAND OF JAPAN KASUMI PEARLS. SHE HAS BEEN COLLECTING THEM PIECE BY PIECE FOR QUITE SOME TIME. I THINK SHE DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB!

OUR TIME AT THE TUCSON GEM AND MINERAL SHOW FEBRUARY 2011

The show in Tucson was a great success this year! WE WERE A VERY BUSY BOOTH… not too busy to throw Fuji a surprise birthday party of course! This last year, we were blessed to be hosts to two of the farmers from Lake Kasumi ga Ura, and show them around the show. They gave an extensive interview with Elizabeth Strack  (author of PEARLS) and they were overjoyed to meet fellow pearl farmers Douglas McLaurin and Enrique Arizmendi who run a magical endeavor in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico.

*** DID YOU KNOW? Pearls are actually GOOD for the environment… Pearls cannot grow in polluted water, so the more the pearl industry grows the more likely pearl farmers are to ensure their neighbors are also protecting the water! This is especially good news for countries of intense industrial growth, such as China. ***

I am pleased to announce that over 3 kilos of fresh Japan Kasumi pearls have arrived to the studio today! One of the largest harvests in many years.. and full of rich deep colors, these pearls are a delight to photograph, and play with. As many of you know (and some of you may not).. These pearls come from the only pearl producing lake in Japan, Lake Kasumi ga Ura (which translates to “the body of water beyond the mist”. There are ONLY 3 farmers working tirelessly to seed, maintain and harvest this production. That is 3.. just 3 people… not thousands, just 3 people. These pearls represent a labor of love.. and dedication deeper than greed. The beauty of this shows in the pearls. These pearls are not mass produced..they are the opposite of that!

From first glance.. I can say that this year there is a larger percentage of deep color round pearls.. which is something not easily found in the past. For many years  the coveted deep purple Japan Kasumi pearls were always baroque.. so to open the cloth bags and find even 20 pieces of deep purple round pearls.. I was overjoyed with these! There are of course hundreds of the baroque pearls with deeply rippled surfaces in various colors. So I expect to start my annual sorting and drilling ritual tomorrow.. I have my work cut out for me. Please stay tuned for the strands from this latest harvest which I will share when they are ready.

We are also very very excited to be hosting 2 of the farmers from Lake Kasumi ga Ura during the upcoming Tucson show. We will be exhibiting at the GJX booth #107 (February 1st-6th 2011). If you plan to attend the show, please stop by and meet these two masters of their craft in person. We are honored to be hosting them and the latest harvest of their beautiful unique pearls! (**they love chocolate and fresh fruit!**)

*As education is a big part of how we have built our business, I would like to mention that we have sold Japan Kasumi pearls (imported directly from the farm) for more than 15 years. We also sell Chinese fresh water pearls.. and some of them look very similar to Japan Kasumi pearls with their rippled surfaces and colors. Chinese fresh water pearls are much less expensive than Japan Kasumi pearls because of the quantity of production, and the cost of labor. We take provenance very seriously. Please be aware that it is now very common for people to sell Chinese pearls as “Kasumi” or as they have done for years as “Kasumi-Ga”. We have always taken care to offer pearls in every price range.. and are pleased that there are now very similar looking pearls from China at affordable prices.. so that women on any budget can enjoy the same look. However if what you are looking for is truly a pearl from Japan’s Lake Kasumi ga Ura.. then make sure to educate yourself, buy from a reputable dealer.. and feel free to ask us if you have any questions.

We do only small productions of jewelry, and each piece is made by hand… each piece is made of a clean love of pearls, with respect for the artisans who produce them. The simple designs are meant to showcase the finest single pearls we have in stock.  When worn… it is the beauty of the pearl that draws attention, and it is the story of the pearl that makes you feel like a true princess!

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE SEE THE “RINGS” PAGE IN OUR JEWELRY STORE, and feel free to ask questions to kojima@kojimapearl.com…

THANK YOU AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

ANOTHER LUSTEROUS GEM FROM THE DUCHESSE! Not sure which pearls are for you… well read on and relate! DON’T WORRY YOU CAN BE ALL OF THEM IN A WEEK!

TO READ MORE FROM THE DUCHESSE…. SUBSCRIBE TO HER BLOG AT http://passagedesperles.blogspot.com/

Pearl-sonalities

Commenter spacegeek wondered why I didn’t steer my friend R. toward the  unusual pearls from Kojima Company.

Because, I replied, those pearls are not “her”. Pearls have distinct personalities; the right variety simply sings on you. A consideration of pearl-sonalities helps you to assess the pearls you have or choose a new strand.

Grace: South Sea round

R. wants Grace Kelly pearls, luminous round whites that echo her “lady” style.

And grace is what you get in this slightly graduated strand of white South Seas, 10.2mm to 12.4mm. An 18-inch strand is $3,600 from Pearl Paradise.

Angelina: Huge metallic flameball

These stupendous baroques are Angelina Jolie pearls, glamorous and capable of  traipsing the world in a suit or sarong. They flash silver, biscuit and white, with intense lustre and metallic orient for days. From Kojima Company; price, $1,890 for a 37-inch strand of 13mm-14mm pearls.

Julia: Bronze semi-baroque

This bronze freshwater strand from Gump’s? So Julia Roberts. The 10mm-11mm shape is semi-baroque (round but bumply), the colour a soft bronze. The ball clasp is matte gold and diamond, très raffinée. Price, $1,500 for an 18-inch necklace.

A strand as effervescent as Julia’s smile.

Rachel: Blue Akoya round

Blue Akoyas are marvelous pearls. I almost didn’t show these because the silvery-blue colour shifts with the light, so is tricky to photograph.

The kind of woman who wears an emerald-cut diamond might choose this 9mm-10mm 18-inch necklace from Gump’s. The Rachel Weisz of pearls: classy, subtly sexy, assured. Price, $2,500.

Tilda: Sea of Cortez semi-baroque

A certain woman not only breaks the mold, she sculpted it. Her pearl: eccentric, rare, mysterious.

The Tilda Swinton pearl: Sea of Cortez from the Gulf of California, unclassifiable by casual onlookers, just like Swinton.

This strand of 39 8.8mm-10.5mm pearls is from Carolyn Ehret, who sells on eBay (surprise!) to a devoted clientele. Overtones of pink, green, teal, aqua, bronze and more. BIN price, $3,500.

Audrey: Natural pearl

Natural or wild pearls, formed without implants, are rare and prized. Sarah Canizzaro of Kojima Company has created a necklace of entirely wild pearls–white, peach, pink and steel blue–collected over years. Handmade 22k bead spacers; 14k hook clasp.

The pearls are small (3mm-5mm) but their beauty and singularity create presence. Price, $965. This is the pearl-sonality of a natural, uncontrived beauty: Audrey Tautou.

Pearl-sonality is the interplay of the pearl variety, the design of the piece and the glow it radiates on you.

Though I’ve shown some pricier pearls here, many freshwater strands with similar allure need not cost more than ah, some of the boots a few of you have been buying.

Though I admire boots too, when they’re in the back of the closet, you’ll still be wearing your pearls!

It is a wonderful rundown of what can be a dizzying subject for novices and those looking to learn the basics about pearls of every variety. We have found these small and easy to read and navigate books a wonderful tool in educating (or distracting) husbands while their wives shop for pearls. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to expand their library or have a portable guide to recognizing different sorts of pearls and making educated decisions.

The latest edition can be purchased online at
Barnes and Noble:

http://productsearch.barnesandnoble….l+buying+guide

Thank you Renee, for all your diligent research and continued respect for this our favorite gem!
I hope some of you will buy this book not only in support of Renee, but in support of pearl education in general!

http://modernjeweler.epubxpress.com/mj1