Knowing very little about cost, quality or variations of pearls, I went for the learning experience (at least that's what I told Kelly). A group of about 15 of us headed to the wholesale jewelry mall. Shiyan, our Bethany hostess, told us to offer at least 50% below the listed price.
We picked one of the many vendors to learn a little about pearls...fresh water vs. sea water pearls, size, texture, color, etc. Feeling slightly informed, we headed up to the upper levels where we figured fewer people ventured and we'd have more negotiating power. We selected our two most persuasive people and moved in for the kill!
What a hoot! After about an hour we left with lots of pearls purchased at a very good price and all puffed up at our persuasive powers!
We got back to the hotel just in time to head to the Consulate for the final formality of the adoption process where we took an oath promising to be good parents to our Stella...how could we not be she's absolutely enchanting!
In the picture above, Stella walks out of her final Chinese institution building and in two days will get off a plane on U.S. soil as an American citizen.
How exciting that you guys will be home soon! It is a week early isn't it??? I'm glad!
ReplyDeletePearl shopping how absolutely divine!!!!! Wish I could have been there!!!! She's really yours / ours now!!