History of pearl jewelry in Mexico?

[Caitlin]

I see a lot of pearls in older Mexican jewelry. Every traditional piece piece I have seen so far uses drilled pearls. In fact they have the luster and shapes of small traditional "Basra" pearls. I heard, but have not been able to verify, That the goldsmiths who made this jewelry used Mexican Freshwater pearls. I have been unable to gather any info on Mexican river pearls. Strack only mentions Mexican saltwater species.

Any books that mention them? In any case where is a history of traditional Mexican pieces with pearls in them?

 

[Bodecia]

Hi Caitlin,

I have seen a few Mexican earrings and although I have been told that freshwater river pearls are generally used I believe this to be a mistake too. The ones I have seen look as if the pearls are Basras.

I have attached a photo of an earring with to me appears as Basra pearls.

Hopefully you will get an expert coming in to advise about this interested subject. Or others to list photos of similar Mexican pieces.

Dawn - Bodecia
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 - natural pearl collector and all round pearl lover.

 

[GemGeek]

With natural pearls historically in plentiful supply in Mexico, it would be unlikely that they would import them. Experts will tell you that you can't identify pearls by their visual characteristics with any certainty.

Great photograph!

 

[Bodecia]

Hi GemGeek,

Your name "GemGeek" finally run a bell with me. What a great ID name. But when I first joined the Pearl-Guide Forum I was totally ignorant. What I have learnt from this site is truly amazing and this drives one on to learn more and more from every site possible but the truth is that this is the best site out in cyberland for learning about pearls.

I realise that experts do not want to stick their necks out but I have found that it is possible to make a educated guess or opinion on natural pearls. Not saying I don't make the occasional mistake but natural pearls do look different to cultured pearls. Mistakes are few and far between.

My collection of antique pearls (naturals) is based on experience, having a good eye for naturals and also what I have learnt from this forum. Study has been done by looking on a regular basis and I would say I have a 95% chance of being correct in my assumptions. I do also realise I cannot resell any such pearls as 100% natural unless I get a certificate.

But then even with all the technology pearls have been stated as being natural until too many came onto the market and the whole testing came into question. It is always a learning process as we know.

My reason for being sure on most of my "naturals" are that they are all antique and the recent sham/scam natural pearls are recent. I do not buy modern so called naturals. I do buy antique pieces and if I had them I would bet my balls on items I am sure of as being natural, actually being the real thing.

Then there are the pieces I am not 100% on and these I would never try to resell as naturals even though they might be. Others I know the moment I see them that they are not naturals. Whwen and if I sell Antique Natural Pearls as "natural" it will be 100% sure they are just that and will give a guarantee to that effect if I do not have the documentation. Naturally prices of said naturals would also be lower.

Although I sell, so far I have not listed many of my natural pearl pieces. When I start up my own site I will list quite a few. Although not all as I really find it hard to part with naturals. That is the reason why on my eBay site I have listed and still am listing slowly all of my Akoya, SS and Tahitian pearls. Apart from the occasional piece such as my big Beautiful Akoya Baroques on another thread not long ago. I also really love some south sea pearls, especially those with organic, funky shapes. Some of those I will keep too and maybe a Cortez, Tahitan etc. Just not too many.

I do have more photos of Mexican pearls mainly in brooches or earrings which I could post if anyone is interested. Some really beautiful, just need to find them in my pearl colletion photos which takes up loads of space

Dawn - Bodecia
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 - natural pearl collector and all round pearl lover.

 

[Caitlin]

I asked Douglas at the Gem Show about Freshwater Mexican pearls. He laughed at me and said there aren't any and never were. Those mussels don't live down there in Mexico.

I attached some pix of arracadas- hoop earrings, this style aka as "Fridas" and a pair of gusanos (worms). These earrings with pearls are very traditional and were very common in the 40's and 50's and 60's, when I saw them most. Even my mom had a pair.

What I notice, is that practically all the pearls are seed pearls with a few larger ones and that the beads in these styles or earrings are always drilled through. Were Mexicans still using local sea pearls in the 50's, 60's. Oaxaca has a huge shoreline. Are there any pearling activities still going on?

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

In pre-war and wartime eras, pearls likely had no value and may have been stashed for later sales.

During the hey days, someone could have collected alot of tiny pearls for centavos.

John Steinbeck's "The Pearl" was published in 1947, inspired by an expedition with Ed Ricketts in the early 40's. Although pearling was over for the mostpart, they undoubtedly saw and heard evidence of it.

 

[Bodecia]

So very glad we have ascertained that they are most likely seed pearls of various shapes. From seeing them in reall life I do believe they are and they are beautiful. Those without damage to the pearls are truly beautiful and worth collecting as I doubt we will see this quality from the area again or not at a decent price. Even now prices are climbing sky high although it is still possible to come across bargains. Some earrings as photographs show have had hard lives but it doesn't detract from the beauty of the pearls.

From what I have seen they are generally set in around 10kt to 12kt gold so although not high karat they are still very beautiful.

Dawn - Bodecia
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 - natural pearl collector and all round pearl lover.