Recent content by Pearl Dreams

I can't be sure, no. Both south sea and freshwater pearls usually have lower luster than akoyas. If the seller is calling them freshwaters than I'd go by that.

Honestly it's very doubtful. I ran a search on eBay for sold/completed listings in USA of used baroque FW pearls, highest price listed first, and none like yours is anywhere near $100. One sold for 74.99. It was 62" long. See for yourself...

Yes-- the shapes are very typical. Baroque cultured freshwater pearls from China are the most common pearls there are. That alone tells you a lot about value. In addition, more recent cultured Chinese pearls (since early 2000s) are rounder. Some are truly round. The market prefers round pearls...

I am wearing these today and thought I'd post a photo, and their story. In fall of 1988 I vacationed for a few weeks in a small village south of Cape Town, South Africa. All up and down the coast one hardly knows where to point one's camera, and no panoramic view is wide enough to capture the...

They are inexpensive cultured baroque Chinese freshwater pearls.

Thank you, Pattye. They have held their luster and color now for nearly 18 years. Freshwaters can be amazing.

I pulled out these "exotic" 8-9mm pearls from Feb. 2008 and photographed them outdoors in full sun, in shade, and indoors. I love this strand! I strung it on Baby (pink) Serafil #30 which I bought from Pattye's Etsy shop. Full sun: Outdoors shade: Indoors:

Peace out.

Also I don't know the answer to your question, never having researched it. Why don't you ask GIA yourself?

Single natural pearls -- yes. Undoubtedly many single natural pearls are sent to GIA for certifcation. She said: "I think GIA may never had a single cultured pearl sent to them." (bolding mine). "Single" as in just one pearl. As in, a person sent in just one cultured pearl for certifcation. And...

I'd use two part epoxy. Don't use too much! You don't want it oozing over to the surface of the pearl.

Then probably South Sea, given that the setting is 18K gold with diamonds. Probably not freshwater.

I think @BWeaves meant that GIA have maybe never had a solitary akoya pearl, i.e. one only, sent for certification. ;) Edited to add: For context, this was in response to a post that tinyquestion2015 has deleted.

1. I own akoya studs in different sizes and quality and several necklaces, including a fabulous white baroque one (from PP) and a very nice graduated vintage strand that is off-white (consignment shop steal!) Also a 33", very baroque endless strand, not good quality but fun and lustrous. 2. The...

The latter. That is what a mabe would look like without the back.