Freshwater or old Akoya?

[kjledford]

Got bit by the bug and I'm considering this vintage piece. Would you say old Akoya? or Freshwater? They say its a double strand with 18" longer and 17" shorter... 12mm center pearl.

 

[imanit]

are you sure they are not fake pearls ????

 

[kjledford]

Not at all sure... could be - they are set in a silver clasp... I don't have access to them to test...

 

[kjledford]

Okay - guess fake... never mind!! =)

 

[pattye]

Hi KJ,

Not likely to be akoya, in that size. The clasp assembly (hook and extender) is typical of fashion jewelry, not valuable pearls. I'm leaning toward imitation pearls also. Can you get more close up photos?

 

[Pearl Dreams]

They look like imitation to me, too.

 

[Caitlin]

As Pattye said, those are fashion pearls and not real. Have you heard of the tooth test? Fake pearls feel smooth when rubbed on the bottom of you teeth, while cultured pearls have an unmistakable gritty feel.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

The OP doesn't have them in her possession to test them.

IMO, kjledford, you should pay no more for them than you would for nice fakes. Silver clasps mean nothing-- my Majorica (imitation pearls) have silver clasps.