Pearl Partners

When Pam Freitus first starting coming to Nantucket more than 20 years ago, it was as a once-a-year visitor for a respite weekend with a group of fellow nurses.  “Every year we would all unite on Nantucket the last weekend in September.  We catch up, regroup, walk the beach...” 
Now she has another reason to visit: Freitus is Judi HIll’s “Pearl Partner.”

Freitus imports pearls from China and combines them with fastenings  and leather made here in the USA to create exquisite and affordable necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.  She has adopted as her mission to make pearls affordable for all, and she’s well on her way to accomplishing her goal.
Her journey down this path began in 2000, when her husband was transferred to Shanghai, China for three years.  A few months into this adventure, Pam’s driver asked if she was interested in pearls.  “I love them, they’re my birthstone,” she replied, so he said “I know just the place to take you.”  That place turned out to be a three-hour drive through small villages.  “We ended up on a dirt road lined with tiny shops...that’s when I started learning about pearls,” she explained.  She took classes on how to string and knot and immersed herself in the culture of China and the knowledge of pearls.  At first, Pam’s driver had to translate for her, but over the months she learned Mandarin and could speak for herself.

It was not until her family returned to their home in Texas that Freitus began to import pearls.  By then she had many connections; one she particularly treasures is a woman named Zhang Yue Fang, a pearl merchant whom she visits every year and from whom she still gets most of her pearls.  “When we first met, I knew no Mandarin and she knew no English...now we email or talk every week.  I’m hoping she’ll be able to visit the states next year.”

Her pearl business, which she named Pearlhill, has grown so quickly that Freitus has retired from nursing to devote all her time to this venture.  “I import the strands of pearls, but I do all my own stringing and knotting and wirework, and the designs are mine...Most of jewelry are one-of-a-kind pieces because I may never again have access to the same pearls: they vary from harvest to harvest.” 

During a visit to Nantucket three years ago, Freitus visited Judi in her shop (“I stop by G.S.Hill every time I’m on Nantucket—I love the hand-pressed plates.”), and Judi admired her pearl bracelet.  When Pam told Judi the design was hers, a new business opportunity blossomed.  Several of her new jewelry designs are exclusive to G.S. Hill Gallery and some include design elements that Pam and Judi created together.  She’s hoping in the future to include some of Judi’s husband’s art in her jewelry—Gregory S. Hill is a well-known and widely collected Nantucket artist.

“I love to create and design,” said Freitus, “and Judi is amazing at relationships.  I took a chance and she took a chance, and it’s been great!  I call her my Pearl Partner.”

The weekend of October 7, 8, and 9, Judi Hill is hosting a special Freshwater Pearl Exhibition of Pam Freitus’ jewelry designs in her gallery at 40 Straight Wharf.  The exhibit will open that Friday, October 7, with a special preview reception from 5 to 8 pm.