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Just a guess but it may be tricky to assign a replacement value to a strand with an amethyst clasp, if they are not making such a clasp any more.

You literally cannot hurt the pearls by restringing. It's only thread and overhand knots! :) If you decide you want to give it a try, here is a link to the tutorial: https://www.pearl-guide.com/threads/stringing-tutorial-with-photos-stringing-on-serafil-beaders-secret-power-pro.6604/

My understanding is that Mikimoto can give you a certificate of replacement value if you have the original certificate number, if you really feel the need to insure them. However this is a service that is not inexpensive, and you would have to pay to ship them both ways. If your wife would like...

Looks to me like a strand of akoya pearls. The clasp seems to read 9 KT or 8 KT, can't tell. They could use cleaning and restringing! You can find a tutorial and some videos on the Lowly Beaders Club section. Many of us restring our own pearls; it isn't hard. :)

I looked in Clasps: 4000 Years of Fasteners in Jewellery by Anna Tabakhova (who is a member of Pearl Guide, username @CLICLASP). On p. 107 it states that spring rings were invented around 1840. So that is possible. To be certain that those are natural pearls, though, I think you'd really have...

Agree with the above. I've never seen that design before!

They both appear to be akoya necklaces. The small strand would benefit from restringing.

I'd say they're freshwater pearls from China. They do look better after their bath. :)

They are the most expensive pearls. In those sizes, certainly over a thousand dollars if not several thousand, just for the pearls, never mind the gold and if those are diamonds, the diamonds. Compare these prices: https://www.pearlparadise.com/collections/white-south-sea-pearls...

I suppose one indicator might be whether you paid south sea pearl prices for them. SSP are more valuable than FWP. Vendors would lose money if they sold SSP at FWP prices.

Thans Pattye! It's always satisfying when mysteries are solved. :)

OP messaged me as follows: Thank you for so much information! My MIL did work for Bank of America in the past and the picture in the Etsy link is the same mark! It didn’t come in the original box so I don’t have anything that states it is Majorica. I appreciate all the information you have...

Off-round freshwater pearls are very common, so not a high value.

White and dyed freshwater pearls from China.

Those are dyed freshwater pearls from China.

I would like to know what the back of the clasp says-- metal mark or brand mark. Check the tongue also. Does it state Majorica specifically? Is it stamped 925? (Vermeil-- gold plating over silver). The reason I ask is that the clasp and the little corrugated cone end beads are just like certain...

Also, you may wish to store the can outside in a shed between uses. I had a can that evaporated entirely in my basement even though the lid was tightly screwed on after opening. It's not good to inhale that stuff.

That is hard to make out, but it could just be the mark of the maker of the clasp (as opposed to the maker of the necklace as a whole.)

Many people think dyed freshwater pearls are Tahitians; they are often sold deceptively as such. The white pearls would benefit from a bath and probably also restringing. They will look more lustrous then. Pearls and thread accumulate grime from contact with skin, cosmetics/lotions. air...

I don't, sorry!