I think they are pearls...what kind?

[uriema40]

Hello everyone! I am so excited I found this forum

A friend of ours gave our girls some costume jewelry she has collected over the years from thrift store. There are 2 necklaces that we think are real pearls. They passed 2 tests: tooth rub and scraping the surface.

One necklace is is knotted and has a pattern with a few plastic beads. The pearls are very irregular with shape and size.
The other necklace has pearls very consistent in shape and size and is not knotted (we originally thought these had to be fake but they seem to pass the tests I found online too.)

I'd like to see if anyone can determine what they are based on the pics...
And they might be imitation but they are definitely not plastic.

I uploaded my pictures the way I wanted you to see them (One necklace at a time) but they are out of order and I don't know how to correct that. But I think you will be able to distinguish them ok.

Thank you in advance

 

[Pearl Dreams]

They are cultured freshwater pearls from China. These are solid nacre-- no bead inside to make them round-- so they will be durable. They are not valuable pearls but they are real!

If you'd like to restring them, it's easy-- see tutorials and videos on the Lowly Beaders Club.

 

[uriema40]

Wow that was fast...thanks!
So both necklaces are same type pf pearls?

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Yes! Their shapes and surface characteristics give them away.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

You may wish to read this page about freshwater pearls-- your girls might like to know where they come from.

Freshwater Pearls

Freshwater Pearls Defined Freshwater pearls are pearls which grow in non-saline environment in freshwater mussels. Freshwater Pearl Grading There currently is no internationally recognized grading standard for freshwater pearls. Every system in use is subjective and unique to the company or...

www.pearl-guide.com

 

[uriema40]

They'd like that very much! Thanks again...you are amazing

We will be back if we find more...