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Hey Juliebeth, I would not try and second-guess Nalfie (seller of the Georgian glass pearls). I've bought from them before, and if they says they're blown glass, then they are most certainly blown glass. CJ Antiques (Nalfie) handles a huge volume, over 50,000 trades on eBay. Heaven knows where...

It is a small world in the high end jewelry trade. The conch pearl necklace I mentioned above is now on Lang Antiques for $45,000. Chatoyancy is clearly visible in some of their close-up pics on the link below. http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/90-91-884 Here's a pic from the...

Thoughts on trawling eBay Thoughts on trawling eBay Having done this search for three months here's a few random thoughts on the process. 1) In that whole time, looking at thousands of necklaces, I did not see one "sleeper" string of naturals, and believe me I was looking for those too. 2)...

Thanks all for the compliments, I'll try for a neck shot but it will be a while. I'm having them re-strung and then valued, so they'll be out with the professionals for a couple of weeks. I have considered learning to string, and bought some kit, however my jeweler is now giving me wholesale...

My wife and I really like the look of a nice chunky choker length double string of matched pearls. It's a classic look as you can see in these pics of Jackie and Michelle. We decided a nice clasp that could also be worn to the front or side would be a bonus So I've been hunting on eBay for...

The one I REALLY liked (from the same seller) was this necklace, 1905 Antique Edwardian 22.50ct. Conch Pearl Diamond Necklace in Platinum & Gold http://www.ebay.com/itm/181288698705 The seller listed it a couple of times recently in the high $40k's then took a best offer.

Cool brooch, although for that price I'd want to see some chatoyancy in the conch pearl.

Candling of pipi pearl Candling of pipi pearl Hi Wendy, wow amazing that you have your own hallmark, that is very cool, and yes wouldn't it be great if all global jewellery was hallmarked to UK standards. So I've done a fairly amateurish job of candling the ring. Still using my daughter's...

Hi Wendy, yes agree quite possibly assembled from standard findings, the shank is stamped 18CT. There is no official hallmarking system in NZ, I discussed this in more detail here: https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8551&page=2&p=117692#post117692 There were a couple of big UK...

The big "Tell" for poe pipis The big "Tell" for poe pipis Hi whicker, interesting thoughts. I think those wings/supporting struts/decorative elements outside the two outer pearls have a dual purpose. They provide additional security to the outer coronet mounts from a sideways knock AND...

I was recently at a vintage jewelry sale in New Zealand with many uncatalogued lots when the following item was offered. It passed un-noticed by the crowd, and was knocked down to me for about the value of its 5gms of 18k gold. The central golden pearl is about 5.6mm diameter, the outer white...

Hi, I've seen the name "CARIBE Genuine Cultured Pearls" on boxed pearls in the past, and they are always good quality Japanese cultured seawater (Akoya) pearls. And your string of pearls certainly looks to be a nice vintage graduated string of Akoya cultured pearls. However your background...

Hi Dave, there is much food for thought in your comments above, clearly set out and well reasoned. I can see no solution to the flood of mis-represented, or poor quality pearls pouring out of (mainly) China. If production continues to ramp up in FW and Chinese Akoya production this flood will...

Hi Helen, sure send me a pic of the item and markings, I'll tell you whatever I can.

Hi Wicker, a chatelaine was a decorative item like a watch hanger, with multiple short chains hanging from it. The multiple short chains carried all the necessary items for the lady of the house as she went about her daily routine. See...

Hi Helen, NZ has never had an official hallmarking system, there has never been a guild system here, so no Goldsmiths' Hall etc. The criminal codes about describing silver don't apply either, so we don't have to describe non-hallmarked silver as "white metal", and there are no hallmarking...

The Lang Jewelry University has a page on Alphonse Fouquet here: http://www.langantiques.com/university/index.php/Fouquet I believe it was his son George Fouquet who was the genius creator of spectacular Art Nouveau pieces. That Fouquet Abalone Pearl and Plique-?-Jour Enamel Brooch with...

In New Zealand they're commonly called Cat's Eyes and were used occasionally in Colonial and Arts & Crafts jewelry. I think we may have inherited that name and usage from Britain because I see them come up in my Arts & Crafts searches on eBay UK from time to time. Here's one currently listed...

Wow Daniel that fly brooch is so cool, another great example of the Victorian's love of the unusual and sheer exuberance in the jewelry they wore.

Geography of South Pacific, Tonga and Cook islands Geography of South Pacific, Tonga and Cook islands Link to larger version of above map: http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/oceania_map.htm I'm sure most people, myself included are a bit vague on the locations of all those South...