Antique Seed Pearl Necklace

[mausketeer]

I have been bad again....... couldn't resist though (the price was crazy cheap -$120). ....... the seller thinks these are Georgian (I'm assuming from the clasp). They are just over 13" in length (gosh women were so tiny back then! Maybe was for a young bride?). The clasp is paste "stones" in silver (slightly less than sterling - I think it's 850?). Pearls themselves are 1.5 to 3mm (although they look tinier in the photos. Seed pearls are measured by width? Is that right?). I will post more photos when I receive them...... Comments? Thoughts?

Jodie

 

[Bodecia]

As you already know Jodie, I think it is beautiful. Great price, great pearls. Lucky you.

Dawn - Bodecia
http://www.ebay.com/sch/dawncee333/m.html
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 Natural pearl collector & seller. And all round pearl lover.

 

[GemGeek]

What will you do with it? Could be a sweet two-strand bracelet.

 

[hbyrne]

What a lovely piece! I think it was quite fashionable to wear seed pearls choker length as I've seen a few Georgian pearl necklaces quite short by our standards. Cute pearls and great price

 

[mausketeer]

Hmm, hadn't thought that far ahead, lol. Since I'm the world's biggest procrastinator, I will probably leave it in my jewelry drawer for a while until I forget about it! I wish my friends had girls rather than boys. Someone to buy cool jewelry for.....

I STILL HAVENT MADE MY PTERIA STERNA STRAND! Okay, TOMORROW, I do it!

Jodie

 

[Caitlin]

13" and a clasp seems about right size for most people to wear as a double. I love bracelets because I can see the pearls when I wear them. I am restringing all my radiata pearls into bracelets and I am going to stack them all! I think I have 9+ bracelets worth. Actually 20 inches and a clasp makes a good triple bracelet. I am probably worse than Jodie when it comes to procrastinating, though.

Let's make a deal Jodie, we both string up our pearls in a given length of time: you choose. I know I will do it if I make a deal about doing it, How about you?

 

[MSC]

I second the double strand bracelet! Such pretty pearls

 

[mausketeer]

Oh-oh, a challenge/bet/deal.........okay Caitlin! Let's get them done by Christmas? I really really want to wear mine to my brother in laws for dinner. So that is......just over one week! You're on baby!

(Can you come over and make me exercise too? Actually nevermind, I've been doing Aquacise again, loving it....... although I'm sure the old lady's in the pool are annoyed by me - I can't seem to stay in one area!)

Jodie

 

[Caitlin]

Good. I want to start wearing mine too! We put up photos by xmas eve? Even as we are melting or gluing that last knot....
I have been taking an exercise class, too! I wish it were dance, but you take what you can get and this one has a lot of dance-like elements to it.

Anyone else want to join this anti-procrastination challenge? Just chime in and we'll have a lot more to put on ..... maybe the designer's thread? maybe different pix here and there?

 

[MSC]

I'd join in, but I have no projects that I could actually accomplish waiting... but great idea, can't wait to see what everyone makes

 

[Bodecia]

Okay, me too. I will join the anti-procrastination challenge. I have been itching to design but mine will have to be with cultured pearls. Is that okay with you ladies. I need to work on that Belle Epoque pendant & pearl necklace. I have bought extra bling for it and just hope I can do it all justice. Spent way too much on all the components but that is nothing unusual for me.

Actually I might post some photos of it when laid out ready to go and get some advice on it. Question will be to string and knot or to wire wrap but don't answer until you see the photos of all the bits and pieces.

Dawn - Bodecia
http://www.ebay.com/sch/dawncee333/m.html
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 Natural pearl collector & seller. And all round pearl lover.

 

[Caitlin]

Yay! It can be anything- why not? Anyone can join in the challenge to make anything you're procrastinating about. Make those xmas cookies yourself- or some coconut soap! And put up the pix

Layout photos- great idea!

 

[GemGeek]

I am in Hawaii and bed-ridden. I am having a roller coaster of a cold. It would be nice to be able to make something. Once I get home it's back to the long commute. Great idea, though. I certainly am a procrastinator!

 

[FrenchPearl]

Being in Hawaii and being sick ? that's the worse !! Take care of yourself and get well. How about a hot Mai Tai grog ?

 

[Bodecia]

Okay, me too. I will join the anti-procrastination challenge. I have been itching to design but mine will have to be with cultured pearls. Is that okay with you ladies. I need to work on that Belle Epoque pendant & pearl necklace. I have bought extra bling for it and just hope I can do it all justice.

Okay made a start on the Bello Epoque necklace. Still having problems with my camera but think that will get better now that I have removed all the lenses. No wonder I couldn't focus. These aren't perfect but getting better.

Photo of how I have designed the necklace so do let me know what you think as I will have to start on it before long to get it done by Christmas. Shopping and other work will interfere and I don't want to be the only procrastinator that does not finish. Still possible as I tend to change my mind a lot.

Thought I will have to wire wrap the first few inches either side of pendant as I don't like the idea of tying silk of every three pearls - would end up lumpy or unsafe. If anyone has any ideas that would allow me to use thread please do tell. In between each pearl in the front section I plan to put 14 Kt white gold granulated beads and then use thread from the last fancy piece on the side. In the photo you will see a gold clasp which is not the original but I might use it. But it is white and pink gold so not sure yet.

Reason for gold beads is to protect each pearl because of wire wrapping. I would rather thread all the way but just can't think of a good way to do it and keep it neat.

I do realise I am mixing silver and gold but I don't think that can be helped to get the look I am aiming for. Has to be special. Oh oh, just did a quick calculation of all the gold I am adding. At $10 to $15 a white gold bead and up to 34 of them that makes me think twice. Advise me here. I hate being stingy with any piece but sometimes end up making no profit. Ugg.

So advice needed with this project. Help !!!!!

Dawn - Bodecia
http://www.ebay.com/sch/dawncee333/m.html
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 Natural pearl collector & seller. And all round pearl lover.

 

[MSC]

Really beautiful, Dawn! Love the centerpiece especially

 

[Caitlin]

Belle epoque indeed! That's an opera piece. What are the blingies made out of? Is it all set in gold?


I am having big procrastination problems. Every time I get ready to sit down, some other duty calls, lol.

Here are all of my Bahraini/PGulf pearls. The outer necklace circle is a bracelet and necklace I sometimes wear together. It is made from Gulf pearls and ss keshi from Cehret. Inside the outer necklace are the pearls from my grandfather. The strand is kind of short and the pearls are small, so some think this is not the best look on someone my age. I agree and besides, I like necklaces just long enough to slip on over my head.

My thought is- after I wash these guys -the bracelet looks pretty bad- I want to take apart the small necklace and extend the number of pearls between each bead as is so stylish today and will give the the over the head length I want.

I am unsure what to do with the fairly yellow pearls in the cups- from a necklace from Dawn- It think it is a necklace worth, still, and probably too short for two bracelets. I kind of want to use up everything, so I can wear it all.

Maybe I'd better wait..........haha lol, That is exactly what I keep saying!!!!

meanwhile, I want to start using that sticky mat on other projects!!!

 

[Caitlin]

So, in this photo I removed the set I will not change and extended the ends of the necklace with the small pearls. It is now about 28" long. But, I don't really like all the tiny ones strung up next to each other, which is why I am thinking tincup style but all pearls. Anyone have an opinion?
View attachment 27055
Rather than new posts, I thought I'd come back to this one.
After cleaning:


I did not clean the ones in the dishes from Dawn- they are already very clean.

 

[MSC]

So many gorgeous pearls, Caitlin!

 

[Caitlin]

So, in this photo I removed the set I will not change and extended the ends of the necklace with the small pearls. It is now about 28" long. But, I don't really like all the tiny ones strung up next to each other, which is why I am thinking tincup style but all pearls. Anyone have an opinion? The attachment didn't show up for me in the othe post.


I am thinking: Use enough pearls to make the grandpa necklace 22" and use the rest to the the same with the other pearls. I can get 19-20" around my wrist 3 times.