Recent content by pattye

Lovely pearls, r.davidson. I'm with Pearl Dreams on this set being SSP, given the known place and date of purchase, plus my feeling that fwp in this size and luster were probably not being produced yet. In the mid 90's I was with Nordstrom Fine Jewelry and saw my first strand of small white...

Wouldn't it be helpful if Mikimoto was more forthcoming with "free" information, or if there was a comprehensive book one could reference.

Fascinating! This is the first time I've seen one like this.

Hi Sarah105, Welcome! Your pearls are all Chinese cultured freshwater pearls. The dark ones have been dyed. Fun to wear and enjoy.

It was my great pleasure to restring this gorgeous strand for you, BWeaves; so perfect with the Kamoka tee! :love:

Looks like the natural greenish tone of Tahitians to me. What size are they? Dyed freshwater pearls usually have more of the bluish purple shade.

Love this sooo much, BWeaves! Absolutely true!!

Helen, thanks very much for the update! Hmm, still the mystery lingers ~ fascinating! Have you tested these with a UV black light? They look to me closest in color to Cortez Pearls. Wondering if tissue nucleation was happening in La Paz in the early 1900's.

Hi J&P, Welcome! These are dyed Chinese freshwater pearls. Looks like there are silver spacers. Very wearable. Enjoy.

Yes, I think mantle tissue.

Yes, Pearl Dreams, I agree. These can also be called nugget pearls. They don't have a bead in the center, so develop this free form baroque shape.

Any professional bleaching formulas are likely confidential. But if you want to experiment? I seem to recall light was involved and bleach over a long time, maybe months?

I agree with Pearl Dreams.

Looks like your pretty necklace is Chinese freshwater cultured pearls and malachite. If the gold beads are also 14K like the clasp, that would add value. We don't do appraisals here, sorry.

I would ask for a partial refund and send them photos of the damaged pearls.