Melanie,
It is our pleasure. I am so happy that you are enjoying the pearl earrings and you are satisfied with the quality. For anyone who is interested, Melanie got the 9mm AAA Quality natural color Japanese Akoya Cultured Pearl Earrings at this link:
http://www.americanpearl.com/9mmaaajapakc.html
The pearls were set in 14K yellow gold and had silver overtones. The pearls are perfectly round half drill pearls as shown in the image below. Many jewelry stores do not set fully round pearls (what we call half-drill pearls) into their pearl earring studs. Over time, foreign matter can find its way into the seam of the pearl where the cut is and discolor the pearl over time.
American Pearl only uses complete, fully round pearls in its pearl earrings and pearl jewelry to insure and guarantee the quality of the pearls over time. What are known as 3/4 cut pearls are worth approximately half as much as round pearls.
