Are these dyed?

[Tiger]

I just purchased some pearls from an online consignment site that often has items listed improperly. This strand was listed as 'dyed cultured pearls,' but I'm unsure if that's correct. I think they are blue baroque akoya. They are 7 - 7.5mm in size. The luster and color are great, but they are not high-quality pearls. Having said that, I'll be happy to wear them. No one will come up to my neck and peruse them like we do here on pearl-guide.

They came with a vintage box from 'Fuji Pearls Ginza Tokyo,' but I realize that could be just what the seller had stored them in. I did some research, and it looks like that company was in business until the 1960s. Were blue baroque akoyas even sold back then by nice jewelers? I thought that was a big No, which is why I think that the box may not be where the strand came from.

I gave them a bath and restrung them today on some Navy Serafil 20. It's too dark in color and too heavy in weight, so I've already ordered some more thread from Pattye. I'll be restringing them, but hey...it's good practice. BTW, @Pearl Dreams thank you, thank you, thank you for the Stringing Tutorial! I did 2 necklaces today and was happy with how they came out, although I'll be redoing this strand.

Would you mind taking a peek and see if you think they're dyed or not? Blue baroque akoya or not? Thanks!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I think they are dyed baroque akoyas. Not only is the color very consistent, but in your first photo I think that is a spot of dye concentration on the topmost pearl. But hey, they are pretty, so enjoy!

I'm so glad you are happily stringing your pearls! It is so satisfying to know that the tutorial has helped someone. My daughter (who took the photos) is always happy to hear it, too! (I'm going to read your post to her now.)

 

[StarryPearl]

I think you are probably right. Several pearls have a spot where the nacre is broken and the inside black organic matter underneath gets exposed — that’s what makes the akoya pearls look blue. On a few pearls I can also see the uneven distribution of the black matter under the nacre. The second picture shows some pearls with great iridescence that blue akoya has. Based on these 3 reasons I think these are blue akoya pearls.

 

[BWeaves]

These strike me as blue baroque akoya pearls and not dyed.

 

[Tiger]

Thanks very much for your responses! Happy New Year everyone!!

 

[pattye]

Tiger, such pretty pearls and excellent luster! I agree, Akoya for sure, I keep coming back to look at the color and wondering if the pearls have been irradiated (a harmless process) to deepen the color. That could explain the dark nucleus. The first blue Akoya I ever saw had been purchased in Japan long ago, a gorgeous teal drop pendant with intense pink. Congrats on your stringing and restringing!

 

[jeg]

Color treated blue Akoya can have very natural looking colors. Often there are signs around the drill holes.