Recent content by Pearl Dreams

They are real. Yes, there is some nacre missing here and there and some blemishes but if you like them, they will do! To clean them, swish some mild soap in a bowl of water (I recommend distilled) and let the pearls sit in the soapy water for 15 minutes or so to loosen any grime that has built...

I wonder if they are natural Pteria sterna (Sea of Cortez) pearls? @CortezPearls, can you weigh in? It's the Independence Day holiday here in the US so it may be a little while before he is free to reply, but he's the guy to ask! ;)

I can certainly understand the sentimental value in these. How would you feel about making a bracelet out of them instead of a necklace? Or a tin cup (station) necklace? I suggest this because it looks to me like some of the pearls may have lost some of their nacre and may need to be omitted...

For decades, FWP were tissue nucleated in the mantle tissue, which is adjacent to the inside of the shell. This is why some FWP have flat sides. SS keshi would not typically be forming adjacent to the inside of the shell. I would not expect them to have flat sides. Could they EVER have a flat...

Post photos when they arrive! :)

I have seen that clasp in the Mikimoto book The Pearl Necklace-- on South Sea pearls.

You can string them with knots only at the ends-- between the final 3-4 pearls on either end, which is a Japanese technique. Then you won't be looking at any knots at all. It would make the necklace a little shorter-- about an inch.

Do you think these vintage akoyas look cheap? I strung them with 10# test Power Pro: How about these? I restrung these Freshadamas (gem grade freshwaters) with 20# test Power Pro. Certainly you can pay for someone to restring them, but it can be expensive. But perhaps not where you are...

It's really easy to restring. It's just overhand knots! No special tools needed. I favor synthetic thread. It doesn't stretch like silk and is easier to work with. Can you get Power Pro fishing line locally? It makes great knots. I've used 10# test for small pearls and 20# test for slightly...

Oh, yes, absolutely wear them! :love: They look fine! But restring them. Trust me on this, you don't want to lose them. Give them a bath first to get the accumulated skin cells and environmental grime off. Then they will look even more lustrous. Put a little mild soap in some distilled water...

The shape of the clasp is called "melon". I have 3 of these and they are 18K. I do not expect that it was custom made, no. There are "pick-a-pearl" souvenir shops that open an oyster or mussel that you select, and you get whatever pearl was inside. Typically they then offer to set it for you...

If you think you'd like to restring and wear them, I've written a tutorial on that. It's not hard to do-- many of us restring our own pearls. https://www.pearl-guide.com/threads/stringing-tutorial-with-photos-stringing-on-serafil-beaders-secret-power-pro.6604/

Akoyas are cultured and saltwater, yes.

They are akoya pearls. I see a lot of surface imperfections but they do have nice luster, which helps obscure that. Pre-owned cultured pearls do not tend to hold their value on resale, unless they are Mikimoto brand or were owned by someone famous. If you are thinking of selling them and are...

No they didn't repost it.