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The are real pearls, but they weren't grown in the Philippines. They are originally from China. They are cultured Chinese freshwater pearls.

I had to dig, but I found it! I'll add tags to it so we can find it from the archive again :)

Hisano and I are leaving for Tucson tomorrow! Looking forward to seeing you Jeg!

This one? She included a quote from me at the end, but the research was all Blaire 🤓 https://www.pearl-guide.com/threads/is-ebay-fraud-and-misrepresentation-eroding-the-reputation-and-value-of-saltwater-pearls.449235/

They don't immediately strike me as freshwater from the photo, but the quote doesn't make sense for what appears to be round and clean. The September Atlas South Sea auction had a 12 mm clean round lot that sold for $1269 per pearl. The least expensive clean 12 mm lot sold for $934 per pearl...

If you're referring to this seller, Pearl Dreams is correct. The auctions are filled with Chinese freshwater pearls being offered as South Sea, and the price point offered is not feasible for the real deal.

It's a older graduated 3.5 momme strand. It's cultured akoya, and it's a nice piece!

It would be amazing if you make it! Hisano and I joined last year. It was an incredible event!

I love that clasp!

The akoya auctions are happening right now in Japan, and prices are up another 40%. That means akoya prices will continue to rise this year, and the compounded increase over the past two years is now 3.75. Tahitian pearl prices have stabilized somewhat and CD material dropped about 30%. C/D...

It's great to see you again, Steve!!

It's difficult to make anything out when the pearls are moving around like that, but they do look and sound like faux pearls to me. The wire setting is indicative of faux as well.

I've seen some older graded A strands that have amazing luster, especially if there is a patina of age. If Mikimoto is selling it themselves, I'd expect it to be really nice. I'd say go for it!

So true! And these carry sentimental value.

Yes, they are akoya! I have about a half dozen different styles of these including one really large framed one. I've purchased all of them on eBay over the years.

You may be able to find something from their Sea Magic or Blue Lagoon lines. These are their lower-quality collections that are typically sold at jewelry retailers like Zales.

The background makes it hard to discern, but it looks like a light golden South Sea circle strand. It's not vintage though.

Yes, they are still dealing with pearl oyster mortality, which means low production for at least the next two years. Production is at about half of normal currently. The auctions are going on right now and a friend of mine sent me the attached article. Auction prices are up another 40% in 2024...

I recently got a copy of Pearls: A Practical Guide and spent some time with it over the holiday! The book is a quick and easy read and is very different from other pearl books out there. It really is a practical guide. While most pearl books are regurgitations of content, this one is clearly...

They look like nice pearls and they're quite large for akoya. I can't Zoom in to see them in detail, but it looks like some are off-round and there are a few blemishes I can make out. You're correct. The sellers assigning of the grade is completely arbitrary and subjective. It's meaningless.