'great' grandmother's pearls.

[bluidragon]

I have read quite a number of writings on pearls. I become fascinated by the variation in luster, orient and color. I received a box with three lovely pearls necklaces that came with a note, "Great grandmothers pearls". I wear them often.The luster is beautiful. People in another room will note them and comment on their beauty. The smallest of the three are seed pearls meant for a child. The other two are 22 inches, 6-7 mm. A number of the pearls are round and others are 'round' with a best to describe, 'nipple' at one end. There are blemishes. The holes are perfect & reveals thick nacre at 40x (I have bad eye sight). The color are cream with pink overtones. My (great) grandmother's pearls are natural, hmm?... With that written, I have tested the pearls with my teeth, + grit. I have taken a white light and flashed it on the lateral and anterior side, no bead present. I took two of the necklaces down to the basement with similar known cultured pearls necklaces, mind you cheap. I placed them side to side. I turned off the light and switched on my black light. What I observed is anything but what I expected. The "older" pearls in the pitch darkness resembled white opals with a splash of color. The cultured pearls were dull bluish. I read numerous times that natural pearls in a black light (not exactly the gold standard for verification) would be tan. Has anyone seen this twist in pearls in which pearls almost morph into beautiful opals? In my disbelief, I dragged my husband kicking and screaming to the basement. I turned off the light, switched the black light on and he actually paused. Are these really 'great' grandmothers pearls? Is it possible that they may be natural pearls. Glass? I am going to try to take a picture of before and after. I still wear them like costume jewelry. However since the black light test, I now place them in separate bags. I also cleaned one necklace. Little grime came off. No, I have not taken them to a jeweler. I did not see a reason. Any comment would and is welcomed.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Can you post photos please? Include some closeups and photograph against a white background like a paper towel.

For reference, here is a photo I took of one of my "metallic white" freshwater pearls with a small black light:

 

[GemGeek]

Ultraviolet light is interesting, but not conclusive. They sound like they might be Akoya pearls. As Pearl Dreams says, get a white paper towel or white non-reflective surface and take photos with a macro setting. It's preferable to use indirect daylight. You might have either natural pearls or cultured pearls or both. Seed pearls will be solid nacre, so the only way to know for sure would be to have them tested. I can't wait to see them - they sound lovely.

 

[bluidragon]

I have added pictures. I did use white paper as the background. No enhancement made, duh. I noticed after i took the photo that the chandelier above was reflecting as was my face. I tried to remove it. I realize one necklace the pearls look awful. However, they still have a lovely luster. I wear that one as costume jewelry!

 

[bluidragon]

I edited the my documentation with pictures

I edited the my documentation with pictures

I hope the photo's help. I am looking for any comment. I am sadly very new at evaluating pearls but I have read books, gone to stores, museums etc as recommended. I just want a nice pearl necklace. I have a bunch of cheap, cultured pearls, dyed, faceted, baroque etc. I love pearls. I was not sure of the ones that belonged to my mother, mother.

 

[bluidragon]

I love your enthusiasm. I don't think I have ever read a writing where you did not say 'They sound lovely". This gives me the jolt to take the pictures and then spend time trying to attach what i have. They were not taken in sunlight as it is a rare day here.

 

[bluidragon]

My photo's with the BL did not look like that. Was I too far away?

 

[GemGeek]

The "nipple" pearls look like gorgeous baroque akoya pearls. Well, they all do look lovely. Let's see some more closeups.

 

[bluidragon]

close up in sunlight.

close up in sunlight.

These were taken today in sunlight... we haven't seen much lately. I really, really tried to get close up's but the sun was so bright I could not see the camera screen. Comment please. I don't know anything about them really except what the box said. The infant pearls range literally from .1mm-3.5mm; more round ones are approx 5mm; and the baroque are 5-5.5mm. I think this is about a good as I can get. Wear or not to wear? Fix the baby one or not? Thanks.

 

[bluidragon]

baroque pearl up close

baroque pearl up close

This was taken inside. bd

 

[CharmedOne]

They are nice. I love the small strand.

 

[GemGeek]

I would fix the small necklace if you think you will wear it. It might be natural. If it is, you could get as much as $300 for it. The other pearls are most likely cultured. I would absolutely wear them - heck - I would wear all three at once.

 

[bluidragon]

infant pearl necklace.

infant pearl necklace.

Thank you all for your response. The infant pearls necklace is really short. I have to see if it would fit around my neck! It really is a beauty. I wear the other two but not together. Now, I think I will. I don't required much encouragement to wear pearls and more pearls. You have been great to look at the necklaces. What caught your eye regarding the infant necklace vs the other two?

I would not sell that infant necklace for 300 USD. I would consider a 100,000. If in fact it belonged to my "great-grandmother" it would be a no-go either way. I think it is sweet.

 

[bluidragon]

your are kind. Thank you. bluidragon

 

[pattye]

Beautiful pearls, absolute treasures, Bluidragon! I'm so glad to know you adore and wear these pearls! It would be lovely if you were able to wear the tiny strand also.

 

[CharmedOne]

I just find them more interesting. I have a strand that is similar to them and they are my favorite. But like GG said, they could be naturals, who knows right? They just have a bit mystery behind them I think it's great you want to hold on to them. You know you can get some beads to extend the smaller necklace. If you don't mind sterling silver, they would match great but may tarnish if you don't wear them much. I think the gold or platinum plated sterling beads tarnish even less. Just an idea if you want to wear the little one.

 

[Caitlin]

Due to the very small sizes of the outside pearls and who it belonged to, I agree with GemGeek that it could be natural. I recently got one very much like that one, and gave it to Hisano because it was so delicate. She showed it to J Norris, I think. so I hope it was natural!

 

[GemGeek]

Caitlin is right. The size is an especially good clue that it is natural. It's possible to get keshi seed pearls to extend it, but if you can't take it to a trade show, matching would be very hard. Charmed One has the right idea. You can extend it with tiny beads until it fits. I can see it sitting at the base of the throat like a choker. Beautiful!

 

[bluidragon]

I cannot thank you for your insight. I never, ever thought I might be able to extend the really small necklace because of how small the pearls are at the end of the strand. Using white gold beads may very well compliment the necklace and allow me to show it off. The other two I already wear. I don't have any great pearls to speak of in my ownership so these may change my collection. Who would have thought I might own a noteworthy pearl necklace(s)? Are the nipple pearls as nice as the round? Or are they second rate. I don't mind if they are second rate. I wear them with or without blemish. The infant strand, I need to see who can restring them and add some additional beads. Would not recommend adding cultured seed pearls?

 

[bluidragon]

Do let me know what you find out regarding your necklace. do you have a photo to share?