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Thank you so much, Douglas! This title looks exactly like what I'd love to read! I will read it carefully.

I kinda want to cut it open using a table saw and see if there's jadeite or agate inside...

Should be fixable. Just use jewelry pliers to bend the peg and post back straight, use mild soap solution to clean the pearl and wipe it dry using soft fabric, use acetone or nail polish to remove the old glue residual on the setting, and finally apply 2-part epoxy to glue the pearl back on to...

The earrings pearls look like freshwater cultured. The ring's pearls may be freshwater or akoya, I cannot tell for sure. If it's a very old ring, then I tend to guess Akoya. The black gem is hard to say for sure, may be oynx or black spinel.

And the coffin pendant doesn't even have a pearl on it!

You are very welcome. Like you said, it's still a pretty brooch. It's always fun to treasure hunt!!😀

Putting a few pics together for easier comparison: Circled some of the most obvious differences on the setting in the front only, since we all noticed how far different the pearl attaching part on the back is. The second when my eyes laid on the first red circle when I first opened this...

I think this is the one I posted on #11. And that one's back looks like this: Even on the front, they do not look identical, especially on details. For the most obvious example, how the vines curl, how they end, and how they touches the leaves and the big circle frame. To me the one you got...

Hmm.. Did I express myself incorrectly? I said "sterling plated with 18k white gold". I thought that meant 18k gold was the top layer, over the base of sterling.

Interestingly, also found a 18K WG version of this brooch. It's back looks very interesting. Notice how it's got logo-ed: https://antiquesandpossibilities.com/products/18kt-wg-mikimoto-grape-brooch Quite possible the silver version has different hallmarking approach from the 18KG version. I...

Interesting test findings! Any chance it's sterling plated with 18k white gold, and the scratches got mostly the surface? Just some wild guess.

Found this pic: https://pin.it/7fOHGB0GJ. To me this one on Pinterest looks more like the authentic version of Mikimoto. (failed quoting media properly, let me download from the address above and then upload: )

I don’t know much of Mikimoto’s brooch but IMHO this setting simply looks too ragged on the solder joints to be Mikimoto. Besides, the little piece that carries the logo/hallmarks is not even a good rectangle, leaving the margin between the logo and the edge looking cramped.

That’s great advice. I wish one day I could have a chance to experiment with my own hands… Just one more question about the Japanese’s research: Did they successfully create one single pearl in petri dishes?

I tend to believe that’s naturally born that way, instead of scratch or discoloration. I have a purple Edison which shows a similar blemish. Let me see if I can find a pic later. Update: Here it is. The other side is very beautiful purple.

Your Tahitian Souffle is out of the world!

Also wanted to share a freshwater pearl that I received yesterday. Its shape looks almost exactly like a whole abalone meat. It even has the part where abalone meat attaches to the shell!🤣 If you have ever separated a raw abalone's meat from its shell, or had whole abalone sashimi before, you...

Thank you, @BWeaves !

another pic with better light: and with the earring set :07:: This set was sold as a bracelet set of course, but my end goal for them is a tincup necklace on gold chain. I'm sure I will play with these pearls and whip up a bunch of different versions before they reach their destiny finally. :18:

Here is the set of Tahitian pearls I mentioned. I was particularlly looking for a set of shiny intense green/peacock's to make a tin-cup necklace to match the earring pearls, and I feel so lucky to have found this set. 😇 The "very peacock" one on the left of the biggest pearl doesn't look so...