Craig's List- a source for Bahraini pearls!

[Caitlin]

http://nashville.craigslist.org/jwl/2383723395.html



EXPERTS ONLY!!!!

Natural Pearl Necklace/18K W. Gold Clasp-16 3/4 inch - $375 (Murfreesboro)

Date: 2011-05-16, 7:59AM CDT
Reply to: sale-fvz5q-2383723395@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
Al Hashimi Pearls
Natural Pearl Necklace with 18K White Gold Clasp. Never worn, purchased in Kingdom of Bahrain. Necklace length is 16 3/4 inches.

Photos show purchase receipt as well as the Testing Report to show the following...
-A graduated single-row necklace of 209 pearls
-Largest pearl in the necklace measures 6.2x4.5mm
-Weight of necklace = 33.98 carats (6.8 grams)
-Determined to be Natural Pearls

$375.00/obo

• Location: Murfreesboro
• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 2383723395

I'd buy this, if i could. EDITED to say: Experts Only! I hope one of my natural pearls expert buyer friends will take a look at it

 

[lisa c]

Maybe they'll post better pics. They have a pretty glow. I hope if someone here buys them that they'll share pics. and giddiness!

So, what are the characteristics -
the length of the necklace is full 16" of pearls, + clasp
very tiny pearls along the sides of the necklace
pearl shapes off round, but not drilled along the longest length on the sides, so that's correct, yes?

downsides -
bad pics
can't tell if the necklace is knotted (I don't know if that's relevent, but if it was never worn?)
no date of purchase listed in the ad, and I can't read the certificate, so don't know if the box is correct (but it looks embossed and w gold leaf?)

Were your pearls knotted between originally, Caitlin? Oh, but yours were privately collected by Grandpere, so the ques isn't germain to others

Wasn't there an article somewhere on PG about how some pearls were sold in and as Bahraini naturals to (occupying?) soldiers, but were not very desirable? BTW, I mean no disrespect with this question, I'm just learning, reflecting upon the low asking price and shapes of the pearls, mulling the connection...

 

[natural]

Cultured Pearl with natural pearl nuclease ..!

Cultured Pearl with natural pearl nuclease ..!

no good pictures..we cant see it,s natural or cultured ...!
but be car-full in this time because too many oyster pearls in bahrain especially in UAE was cultured and with natural pearls nuclease (bead)...!
so..that we must BE CARFULL about it.

thanks
NATURAL

 

[Caitlin]

Thanks for that warning!

It should be heeded by all except those willing to gamble. This is not a beginner's necklace. It is speculative at best. I edited my first post to say: Experts Only.

Bahrain does NOT allow cultured pearls. UAE is a different country.

Why I would buy it for $375.00 is because low grade Bahraini pearls have all those same shapes. The sizes are right for that kind of pearl. They are also going to have a decent luster that is peculiar to those shapes.

The certificate looks right, Al Hashimi is highly respected and always certifies through the Bahrain Pearl lab. So it is a great fake, if it is fake. The price is about right for those poorly shaped pearls. I would buy them and use them in earrings and to make one more bracelet of that kind of pearl. I have a two strand bracelet of Bahraini pearls of that same quality, but three would be better. I'd frame the certificate and hang it in my workspace.

 

[pattye]

Great explanation of your feelings about this necklace and its authenticity, Caitlin.

 

[natural]

natural nucleus cultured pearl / natural nucleus pearl

natural nucleus cultured pearl / natural nucleus pearl

thanks caitlin..!
I know Bahrain was different with U.A.E but one again i want to remind all of the expert that one of the person from Australia and stay in Sharjah was made the product with the name NATURAL NUCLEUS CULTURED PEARL AND NATURAL NUCLEUS PEARL. we cant see this is cultured or real natural. so that they will broke the market for the oyster pearls in the world if his product will be continue. And for i hear also for this time they are made in tahiti with the Pinna nobilis pearls bead (nucleus),,,! so That we must stop this product and i will give the picture what i got in this trade.

Thanks
natural

 

[Caitlin]

Please do continue presenting your findings! This is good information for a developing trend... Or is it truly a fact that this is being done?

At first thought, I see no problem with using a pinna pearl for a nucleus- as long as it is disclosed. I would think the pinna pearl could be Id'd as such by its colors.

 

[SteveM]

At first thought, I see no problem with using a pinna pearl for a nucleus- as long as it is disclosed. I would think the pinna pearl could be Id'd as such by its colors.

The intent is clearly fraudulent, as there is absolutely no technical advantage (just the opposite) to a perfectly round shell bead. This has been discussed here at Pearl-Guide in great detail, primarily in reaction to the press releases from the Swiss Gemmological Institute and Leichtenstein's GemLab (Thomas Hainschwang).

Having heard Hainschwang's presentation at AGA in Tucson, it seems that the labs now can quite easily determine a natural-nuked cultured pearl (from the inordinately thick organic layer between the 'bead' and the new nacre), so the Sharjah guy mentioned by Natural is pretty much out of business already, or on to greener pastures.

But there is a more insidious threat, and that is a new wave of BEADLESS saltwater pearls that are literally indistinguishable from naturals (basically, super high-grade keshis). As tests are not yet conclusive for culling these from true naturals, several key labs continue to warn against new purchases of claimed naturals from nacre-producing mollusks (Pinctada primarily). Keep in mind these 'fakes' are good size, symmetrical and with high-luster, as there is no pricing incentive to fake baroques in small size.

Thus my increasing focus on acquiring non-nacreous naturals?

I agree with Caitlin, the Bahraini necklace appears geniune, we have a couple of those tiny bracelets, several dealers have sold them, as it seems that stocks of smaller, irregular Persian Gulf pearls have come onto the market in the past year or two and are being used in this fashion.

 

[Caitlin]

Thanks, Steve,
That story slipped my mind. It guess that is why I was making Siberian transgraft jokes this AM. The utter stupidity of the scam- it's like a "Trailer Park Boys" plot. Or something dreamed up by the Zeidster and executed by one of her believing acolytes......LOL

 

[DrTKStern]

Hi, All,

Just back from pearl voyage in Celebes Sea and will post images on my thread. My impressions of the Al Hashimi strand...yes, he's a known vendor...but I've seen a lot of Bahrain Lab reports and have doubts about what I see on the low resolution photos. If anyone bothered to get a readable copy of cert, that would be interesting to study. By the way...even though Bahrain foolishly decided to tear down their lovely pearl monument while they slaughtered their own people, the lab remains in operation doing the ruler's bidding.

Regards,
Tom

 

[Caitlin]

Thanks for checking in Tom! Your opinion is valued.

If the Al Hashimi receipt in the photo is not a counterfeit, then the strand was certified in Bahrain. I have seen that sales slip, appraisal, or whatever it is, from from Al Hashimi before, so I figure the Lab certificate is in the envelope behind.

In fact, I think we had a poster from Al Hashimi for a while. I will look that up.

 

[Bodecia]

Hi Caitlin.

Did you manage to find the poster from Al Hashimi. Would be interesting to see it.

Personally I believe the pearls are natural as stated. It is a a great pity the photos are not much better and may be the reason they have not sold as yet.

Dawn
http://shop.ebay.com/dawncee333/m.html

 

[Caitlin]

I looked a bit, but it did not search term well. We had a young woman from the family join. I forget her user name. She posted some gorgeous pieces of jewelry her family made. My recollection is a bit weak, but maybe it will come back.

I emailed and got an answer with a phone number. Then called the phone number and got an answering machine, then I laid off. I really don't have the ability to buy it so I didn't want to be too pushy. I do think someone bought it- maybe as a result of this thread.

 

[Orient]

Second attempt at posting ...... I don't think the poster you refer to Caitlin was from Al-Hasimi Pearls. The owner of that company is Indian and the lady you mention was Bahraini and her family was an old Bahraini name in the world of pearls, Al Mattar if memory serves me correctly. So perhaps that will help your search. I must admit that I do not visit this informative site so much now since the changes took place as it is not so easy to navigate as it used to be :-(

 

[Caitlin]

Second attempt at posting ...... I don't think the poster you refer to Caitlin was from Al-Hasimi Pearls. The owner of that company is Indian and the lady you mention was Bahraini and her family was an old Bahraini name in the world of pearls, Al Mattar if memory serves me correctly. So perhaps that will help your search. I must admit that I do not visit this informative site so much now since the changes took place as it is not so easy to navigate as it used to be :-(

Orient
You are exactly right! Thanks for jogging my memory!

As for this site; it was difficult for awhile, but now it is just about finished. Thanks for visiting. I hope you will come back more often!

 

[DrTKStern]

Second attempt at posting ...... I don't think the poster you refer to Caitlin was from Al-Hasimi Pearls. The owner of that company is Indian and the lady you mention was Bahraini and her family was an old Bahraini name in the world of pearls, Al Mattar if memory serves me correctly. So perhaps that will help your search. I must admit that I do not visit this informative site so much now since the changes took place as it is not so easy to navigate as it used to be :-(

Caitlin,

The woman was from the family of Al Mattar, very distinguished traders.

Tom

 

[Caitlin]

Ah yes, Tom...... I got corrected by Orient already........http://www.mattarjewelers.com/ Unbelievable eye candy!!! The music sounds like ancient pearl chants...by the guys on the pearling dhows, now performed by some kind of cultural preservation group. I have been listening to the tape loop for 20 minutes. The song feels like a boat gliding through the water in search of pearls. Sunny day, smooth waters, full of hope. (I am going by feelings as I have no idea what the words say.) It is worth a listen. I get a thrill from it.

You, Tom, would be the one who travels in these circles........In fact, you are a perfect match. Al Mattar would never carry inferior pearls such as the necklace from Al Hashimi depicted here. That newby, foreign company is not for the most discerning. It is for the soldiers and other middle class foreigners who come through Bahrain and may window shop Al Mattar, but buy from a suq vendor of good reputation like Al Hashimi.

Thanks for the really great and knowledgeable responses.

 

[pattye]

Yes, a heady combination, unusual music and rare pearls!

 

[Nora]

A Cartier eleven-row high quality Bahrain pearl necklace.

A Cartier eleven-row high quality Bahrain pearl necklace.

This it being offer at auction near by.
The description says Baharaini pearls. To my eyes the pearls look too round. The price also looks low for natural pearls considering that it includes 8 ct. of diamond.
What does the forum think?




http://www.tiroche.co.il/ItemPage.asp?id=38770&array_index=116

 

[Caitlin]

Thanks for that fantastic photo. Some Bahraini pearls are round. Maybe there is a cert on the pearls. Is that the opening bid at the auction? It could go much higher if it is Cartier.