I need your advice please!

[Alyend]

Hello everybody!
I need some help please. About ten years ago I purchased a pair of tahitian pearl earrings set on sterling silver lever-back ear wires. Today I removed the pearls from the silver mountings because they were so thin that they were already deformed after some years. The vendor told me they were genuine Tahitian pearls, and I think he was onest when I look at them, but I'm not an expert so I need some advice. They are 8,2mm pearls, with a good luster (at least in my opinion, tell me please what do you think about). They have only a very little blemish each, but so small you can see it only under very close inspection, and they are on the back.
Please tell me what do you think about them in all sincerity (if they're genuine tahitian, if the luster is good, etc), every opinion (even negative) would be much appreciated. Thank you!

 

[pattye]

Alyend,

Well, the luster looks good to me also, the reflection is distinct. Nothing I can see to indicate they aren't Tahitians.

Curious to know how you removed the backing and how long it took?

 

[Katbran]

They do look like Tahitians and the lustre is fine. I' ve seen lots of Tathians sold with Sterling as it keeps the cost way down.

 

[Alyend]

Thank you all for your advice!

Pattye, I was really surprised because it was very easy to remove them! I just tried to rotate the pearls very very gently and they came off immediately! Maybe they used a low quality glue, I was fortunate I never lost the pearls!

 

[pattye]

Amazing, how easily the backings came off and how fortunate for you! How are you going to mount the pearls now?

Recently I removed some fw pearls from some 14 K leverbacks; it took 3 or 4 microwave sessions. For myself, I do like the security of a leverback.

 

[Alyend]

I'm mounting them right now, tomorrow you will see them!

Honestly it was the first time I removed pearls from their setting. Could you please tell me how you do it with the microwave?

 

[Lady_Disdain]

I generally soak mine in acetone.

 

[Alyend]

Here they are, yesterday I set them in a mounting for earrings in 18kt white gold and 0.077ct diamonds (sorry for the bad quality of the photo but I can't do better):

 

[Gemandpearlover]

They look gorgeous in their new settings. Well done!

 

[pattye]

Wow, elegant earrings, Alyend! Here's one discussion of removing backings from pearls.

 

[BWeaves]

Nice upgrade. Well done!

 

[Alyend]

They look gorgeous in their new settings. Well done!

Thank you Pattye!

And thank you all for your compliments! Unfortunately the picture is really bad, I will try to make a better one as soon as I can.

 

[CricketBug]

Wow! I love how these turned out! Congratulations on a great re-set!

 

[Alyend]

I was finally able to make a better picture:

 

[BritM]

Oh, those are lovely. Congratulations.

 

[mrsadm]

They are beautiful in their new settings! Congratulations!

 

[Parrot Lady]

Beautiful setting and good job on the gluing!