Question: I have tried to improve three robes with three different pearls. Two times the value didn't go up (but I lost the pearl). One time the value did go up, but with less than the value of the pearl. What am I missing?
Pearls are not supposed to work on cloth items. Use them on leather armor, not braces or boots. The golden grail increases the value of all armor, including robes, some but usually not enough to bother with unless you are really hurting for gold.