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We have bought the "pearls by the inch" in Cozumel on several cruises, and have been quite satisfied with them... Wife, daughter, in-laws, all enjoy them regularly, and they still look very nice. We usually get the 18 inch strands. For a little more, you can get graduated sizes. I would recommend these for gifts, etc. I would be interested in hearing if anyone out there has been dissappointed with the pearls.