First SSP strand. But are they real???

[Creampuff]

UPDATE:
As mentioned a while back, my SSP strand was too long, so I took a few pearls out. I ended up making the extras into a pair of earrings and an enhancer for my mum. They are perfect and I can't wait to show them to her! (It's mother's day coming up!) They are all set with 18K white gold and diamonds. I took a few photos, but I'm not skilled enough and the photos don't do them justice.

There are also a couple of photos of shortened length. The jeweler who did it didn't like the length; she thought it was too short. But I like the shorter length, looks more youthful (in my opinion). Also I'm going for Grace Kelly and LadyD (okay maybe not quite as short) =)
http://www.julleen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Grace-Kelly1-265x300.jpg
http://0.tqn.com/d/jewelry/1/7/D/u/Princess-Diana-Tiara.jpg


Thank you for all of your comments and information. They are tremendously helpful.
_______________________________________________

Hi guys,
I was lucky to have dropped into the HK fair this week and picked up a strand of SSP. I have been wanting to buy SSP for a while now and I was really happy to have finally gotten my first one. They look really clean on the surface, only a few marks and they are near round. After taken them home, I started to feel they are so much more perfect than many strings I have seen in the fair, they almost look fake! I did a few of the tests (tooth test, light test), while they don't feel as smooth as my Kenneth Jay Lane faux pearls, they are not as grindy as akoya or fresh water. Particularly, a couple of the pearls on the string are particularly smooth.

I didn't think the vender would try to fool buyers on the trade fair, but it is my first time going there and I really could not be sure. The set is 11-15mm, and it is from a HK based seller who has a store in central, HK. My question is: is it possible that the SSPs are fake (or more likely, some of them are fake)? Or are the smooth surface the result of enhancing/polishing? I have asked the vender at the time if these are guaranteed authentic Australian SSP and if they have been touched up. The vender assured me they are 100% real and natural. I have attached some photos; in one of the photos I have put the SSP strand against my Kenneth Jay Lane for contrast. Could the good people here offer some thoughts on this? I would really appreciate them!!

 

[Marianne]

Hi Creampuff, welcome to Pearl Guide. Your new pearls are very pretty. For that size and surface quality, a real SS strand would be quite expensive.
Also that appears to be a $7.00 clasp.

 

[Creampuff]

Hi Creampuff, welcome to Pearl Guide. Your new pearls are very pretty. For that size and surface quality, a real SS strand would be quite expensive.
Also that appears to be a $7.00 clasp.

Hi Marianne,
Thanks for your reply! To add a bit information: the strand is over 5000USD, and the clasp is silver with the stamp "silver top GSV bottom patent" on the bottom. Because they are very expensive that's why I am concerned about the authenticity of them.

 

[KarinK]

Do you have a loupe? I've heard that while real pearls are slightly gritty on the surface, under the loupe they are much more porous looking than fake pearls and you even have a strand for comparison.

- Karin

 

[pattye]

Perhaps some of our other HK shoppers can comment. My thoughts are that since HK is a wholesale venue, the pearls are knotted and the inexpensive clasp is added so peeps can try on, check for length~basically just a temporary strand. Most women buying a strand like that retail are going to want to pick out a specific clasp in their fav gems and gold?

It would be near impossible for the strand to be a mix of real and fake; they are very well matched and more likely real.

Could you please add a few more photos, close up of blemishes, on a white paper towel? Thanks very much and welcome to P-G.

 

[GemGeek]

That's an inexpensive clasp on your knotted South Sea pearls. I happen to like those bean-shaped clasps and have been looking for a vendor -- anyone know of someone who sells them?

They look like beautiful South Sea pearls to me. The vendor was probably assuming that the buyer might sell them as-is to turn a profit without investing in a better clasp.

 

[BAS]

Oh, I am so happy and relieved for our new member! I'd love to see close-ups of the pearls, and a neck shot of the beautiful pearls on their owner. Welcome!

 

[pearlescence]

I think it is vanishingly unlikely that you would be sold fakes in the pearl hall at the HK gem show.
Gritty does not mean 'likely to file your teeth'. Gritty means ever so very slightly not smooth.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

... Gritty does not mean 'likely to file your teeth'. Gritty means ever so very slightly not smooth.

Best explanation of pearl "grittiness" ever!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Do you have a loupe? I've heard that while real pearls are slightly gritty on the surface, under the loupe they are much more porous looking than fake pearls and you even have a strand for comparison.

- Karin

Real pearls look very smooth under a loupe. Fake pearls look rougher.

 

[gssp newbie]

wow, lovely creampuff! did you get it from wing hang?

5000usd is a good price.. i saw a strand 10/11~13mm whites with pink overtones (strung but no clasp yet) at way over 6k usd!

 

[cyndayco]

My thoughts are that since HK is a wholesale venue, the pearls are knotted and the inexpensive clasp is added so peeps can try on, check for length~basically just a temporary strand. Most women buying a strand like that retail are going to want to pick out a specific clasp in their fav gems and gold?

Indeed, that will be true for a lot of wholesale, department stores, and low-end vendors in Asia. Unless you are buying it from a high-end jewelry store, the clasp is a throw-away and shouldn't be used as an indicator of the pearls' value.

 

[pattye]

Very nice clasps! I think I picked up a few from John Tu and Lily. Rio grande has some, all sterling called "fancy squeeze clasp."

Thanks very much for your comments about temporary necklaces, Cyndayco.

 

[Marianne]

Yes, agree, was not aware of sales of temporary necklaces, but it makes sense.
Bella Findings has also offered this type of pinch clasp.

 

[GemGeek]

That's good information to know, Cindayco. And thanks for the clasp info. Pinch clasps - perfect name!

 

[DaveTT]

Congratulations Creampuff on your first SSP strand !
The Pearls looks really nice

 

[Creampuff]

Gritty does not mean 'likely to file your teeth'. Gritty means ever so very slightly not smooth.

Second what pearl dream said, this is such great explanation! And after doing the tooth test on my freshwater, akoya and now SS, I must say SS feels the smoothest to me. The other types I own are so much more obvious. However i did learn the lesson that if not gentle enough, teeth do leave scratch marks on pearls. Hard lesson I know...

 

[Creampuff]

Thanks so much for everyone's replies! I have tried to take a few close-ups with my iPhone and the phone camera does not do a good job (although my friend's samsung seemed to take better close up photos). I'll post what I have for now, and will try to borrow my friend's good camera to take better photos.

Karin I do not have a loupe, but I'd really like to see the pearls with one of these. I am curious what the differences are!

The colour in the photos are mostly more creamy/ yellow-ish than seeing in person. Perhaps the photo with the pearls on me is the closest in colour.

I think the strand is too long for me, so I'm thinking of taking 4-5 pearls out and make them into other pendent air enhancer. Any inspiration on what I could use them for? Can anyone recommend any HK based jewelers for personalization? Or should I leave the strand as-is?

gssp newbie, yes I have seen quite a few strands at the fair and find that the prices are generally not low. I have also noticed that European vendors generally have much higher prices for lower quality SSP. I didn't get it from the vender you mentioned. I can't remember the name of the vender, will have to check the receipt after work. But the vendor has a shop in central. Which vendor did you get your gorgeous pearls from? The colours and luster are amazing!

 

[KarinK]

Real pearls look very smooth under a loupe. Fake pearls look rougher.

Ups! Sorry! Thanks

- Karin

 

[cyndayco]

I think the strand is too long for me, so I'm thinking of taking 4-5 pearls out and make them into other pendent air enhancer. Any inspiration on what I could use them for? Can anyone recommend any HK based jewelers for personalization? Or should I leave the strand as-is?

Five pearls?

What about a pair of dangling earrings and a trio for a pendant/enhancer?