I actually help my local charity thrift store evaluate their pearls so they don't confuse the costume jewelry pearls with the real ones. Most of the real pearls that are donated are very simple, older Akoya strands and those aren't worth much more than $80-$150, unless they are Mikimoto or Tasaki. My evaluations help the store determine which to sell for a few dollars and which to sell for more. Sometimes a really nice strand comes in and those are given to another volunteer who puts them on EBay so the charity can make the appropriate amount of money. Keep shopping thrift stores AND don't forget Estate sales. Those can also offer some nice jewelry finds for very reasonable prices, especially pearls because these days those inheriting don't always want older pearls.
FYI there is a pearl course available that was written by the hosts of this forum. Go to:
https://www.pearlsasone.org/
You can request a "Code" to take the course. Jeremy Shepherd has been known to give codes to people who ask nicely!
This course will REALLY help you grow in your knowledge of pearls...it was one of the most informative courses I've ever taken. If you'd ever like to see my pearls, go to the thread
My Pearling Story and you can see some of my pearl journey as well as some of my best EBay and Other finds. I love to restring/rework pearl jewelry and help family and friends by restringing or helping them to learn to restring their vintage pearls. It's a fun creative outlet for me.
Enjoy searching this site, take the "Pearls as One" course, and be careful...you might turn into one of US...A True Pearl Enthusiast!
