Recent content by Pearl Dreams

The 1st and 2nd photos-- yes, fake pearls. 3rd and 4th -- "rice krispie" pearls-- cultured freshwater pearls from China, created by the mussel Cristaria plicata (Cockscomb mussel). These were common in the 1970s and 1980s. All the rest: dyed cultured freshwater pearls from China cultured in...

Metal contracts when cold. Try putting the pearl + reamer in the fridge for a while to chill the metal. Then, gripping the end of the pearl reamer with a sturdy pair of pliers, and the pearl with rubber gloves that have a textured surface (e.g. Playtex), rotate the pearl (or the reamer) as you...

@Karaless, Looks like freshwater pearls (white and dyed) and maybe smoky quartz. The tags don't provide any information about the item; I expect the seller simply used them to categorize or keep track of their items. You may get more views and opinions if you start your own thread, though (on...

I have, but it's really unusual.

They could be, but I couldn't say for sure-- the center strand in this photo is dyed freshwaters; the other 2 are Tahitians. Rotated and closer up:

Maybe their scamming caught up with them.... Some jewelers are dishonest, sadly. Here are a few simple tests you can do. 1. Temperature test. Real pearls are cooler than glass or plastic pearls. For this comparison test you need some other pearls that you know are fake, or that you know are...

Can you photograph it against a white background? I am not sure of the color from that photo. It looks somewhat lavender. If it's lavender colored, it's freshwater.

And with that thick nacre, luster and durability. :)

They look like imitation pearls. The findings are not those of Mikimoto but many fake pearls are finished that way. The pearls themselves don't look real. Look closely at the drill holes of the smaller pearls on the end where there are a number of small pearls. See that protrusion of coating...

Here is how to get tarnish off silver or gold jewelry (gold can tarnish if the alloy contains metals that tarnish). I use Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda, a laundry booster that is much more alkaline than baking soda. (Washing soda is sodium carbonate; baking soda is sodium bicarbonate.). Use a...

They are baroque akoya pearls. If you like them enough to want to wear them, why not restring them yourself? Many of us restring our own pearls. It's not hard, it saves money, and you get to rearrange them however you prefer, or shorten them if you wish. You can even change the clasp of you...

Duplicate thread.

Do take the "Pearls As One" course with the free code I messaged to you! The photos are great, there are interesting videos, and each chapter has a question and answer section. :)

AI is not a pearl expert....

Freshwater. See those nice peachy colors? Those are natural colors for freshwaters but not for salt water pearls. Gold used to be cheaper....