Help me identify these pearl necklaces and the estimated price
- Thread starter MiaC
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Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
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The black ones are baroque dyed freshwater pearls from Chna. These are inexpensive pearls; if the clasp is gold that would raise the value, as gold is so expensive these days.
The white strand, I cant tell from the photo if they are fully round-- are they? It could be camera distortion but in the photo some look a bit oval.
If they are 100% round they could be akoyas (or they could be imitations, see tests below), but if a bit egg shaped, they are freshwater pearls from China.
To test for real vs. imitation pearls:
1. Rubbing test. Rub 2 of the pearls gently together. (Don't rub them on your teeth; teeth are harder than pearls and can scratch them.)
Real pearls feel a bit gritty when rubbed together, while imitation pearls feel smooth. If they feel gummy or sticky, wipe them clean with a damp soft cloth and test again.
2. Temperature test. Leave the white strand and the black strand in the same area for half an hour or so, to eliminate the variable of room temperature. Then touch them to your lips briefly. Real pearls feel cooler than imitation pearls.
If they are round and real, they are akoyas. If not round but real, they are freshwaters, of lower value. If fake, lowest value.
The white strand, I cant tell from the photo if they are fully round-- are they? It could be camera distortion but in the photo some look a bit oval.
If they are 100% round they could be akoyas (or they could be imitations, see tests below), but if a bit egg shaped, they are freshwater pearls from China.
To test for real vs. imitation pearls:
1. Rubbing test. Rub 2 of the pearls gently together. (Don't rub them on your teeth; teeth are harder than pearls and can scratch them.)
Real pearls feel a bit gritty when rubbed together, while imitation pearls feel smooth. If they feel gummy or sticky, wipe them clean with a damp soft cloth and test again.
2. Temperature test. Leave the white strand and the black strand in the same area for half an hour or so, to eliminate the variable of room temperature. Then touch them to your lips briefly. Real pearls feel cooler than imitation pearls.
If they are round and real, they are akoyas. If not round but real, they are freshwaters, of lower value. If fake, lowest value.
KarinK
Well-known member
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- Sep 7, 2010
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They may have believed they are. People tend to grossly overestimate the value of pearls and can be easily fooled.
Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
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- Sep 24, 2007
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- 9,784
Many people think dyed freshwater pearls are Tahitians; they are often sold deceptively as such.
The white pearls would benefit from a bath and probably also restringing. They will look more lustrous then. Pearls and thread accumulate grime from contact with skin, cosmetics/lotions. air pollution. The silk thread becomes comes weak when it's old and dirty, and can break.
To give them a bath, fill a bowl with some distilled water (which I recommend to avoid both chlorine and hard water minerals that can interact with soap to form a sticky scum) and swish some mild soap in the water. Soak the pearls in the soapy water for 15 minutes or so, then wipe them clean with a soft cloth, soft brush or swabs in the hard to reach places. Then rinse them in more distilled water, and lay them on a towel to dry for 24 hours. (The silk inside the drill holes dries slowly.)
To restring, if you would like to try doing it yourself (many of us do), see my tutorial on the Lowly Beaders' Club. And there are also other posts with videos.
The white pearls would benefit from a bath and probably also restringing. They will look more lustrous then. Pearls and thread accumulate grime from contact with skin, cosmetics/lotions. air pollution. The silk thread becomes comes weak when it's old and dirty, and can break.
To give them a bath, fill a bowl with some distilled water (which I recommend to avoid both chlorine and hard water minerals that can interact with soap to form a sticky scum) and swish some mild soap in the water. Soak the pearls in the soapy water for 15 minutes or so, then wipe them clean with a soft cloth, soft brush or swabs in the hard to reach places. Then rinse them in more distilled water, and lay them on a towel to dry for 24 hours. (The silk inside the drill holes dries slowly.)
To restring, if you would like to try doing it yourself (many of us do), see my tutorial on the Lowly Beaders' Club. And there are also other posts with videos.
This is super helpful! I appreciate your passion for Pearl and helping new people. Thank you so much!Many people think dyed freshwater pearls are Tahitians; they are often sold deceptively as such.
The white pearls would benefit from a bath and probably also restringing. They will look more lustrous then. Pearls and thread accumulate grime from contact with skin, cosmetics/lotions. air pollution. The silk thread becomes comes weak when it's old and dirty, and can break.
To give them a bath, fill a bowl with some distilled water (which I recommend to avoid both chlorine and hard water minerals that can interact with soap to form a sticky scum) and swish some mild soap in the water. Soak the pearls in the soapy water for 15 minutes or so, then wipe them clean with a soft cloth, soft brush or swabs in the hard to reach places. Then rinse them in more distilled water, and lay them on a towel to dry for 24 hours. (The silk inside the drill holes dries slowly.)
To restring, if you would like to try doing it yourself (many of us do), see my tutorial on the Lowly Beaders' Club. And there are also other posts with videos.
That's too bad, Thank you for your info so I will be more careful when I purchase pearls later.
