Are These Biwa Pearls

[Bodecia]

Hi All, (I should have started a new thread for this, so have now)

Are these pearls genuine Biwa pearls? I think they are beautiful but not sure what they are. Nice though. Similiar sculptured look to the gold as the other ring, which I think goes well with pearls.

Bodecia

 

[pattye]

Now that's a gorgeous ring, too!
The Strack book doesn't show any bar pearls but lots of other baroque shapes. If this ring was made in the 70's it could be Biwa, but without knowing the provenance it is very hard to say. The "stick" pearls sold today are often called biwa, and unfortunately that is not correct. These could be AAA stick pearls. They are still all nacre and very lovely. I am not sure if there is a test for Biwa pearls.

Pattye

 

[icevic]

Great picture. What size are they?

 

[MadisonB]

I had no idea pearls came in all these weird shapes. I have been seeing the plain rounds for so long I thought the other shapes were undesirable !

It wasn't until I bought my Keshi strand that I saw how beautiful & unique the irregular shaped pearls could be....