Is this Top Peacock Tahitian??
- Thread starter pearlies
- Start date
pearlies
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2011
- Messages
- 81
Peacock is here!
Peacock is here!
Hi! I just received the strand of peacock pearl. The colors are real to the vendor's photos. But there are a bit more blemishes than I than I expect (especially on the last 8 pearls) I had a hard time taking photos, its hard to capture the peacock overtone that I see.
May i know what is the best lighting to use? I would love to keep this piece, do you think its worth the penny?
One more thing, while checking through every single pearl, I noticed this SPECIAL one (the only one amongst the 34 pcs) . The area around the drill hole seems to have peeled off, exposing the base (mm..I do not know what to call it). Is this an indication of a imitation/ fake?!
Do you see the need for me to send this strand to a gemological lab for verification? thanks!
Peacock is here!
Hi! I just received the strand of peacock pearl. The colors are real to the vendor's photos. But there are a bit more blemishes than I than I expect (especially on the last 8 pearls) I had a hard time taking photos, its hard to capture the peacock overtone that I see.
May i know what is the best lighting to use? I would love to keep this piece, do you think its worth the penny?
One more thing, while checking through every single pearl, I noticed this SPECIAL one (the only one amongst the 34 pcs) . The area around the drill hole seems to have peeled off, exposing the base (mm..I do not know what to call it). Is this an indication of a imitation/ fake?!
Do you see the need for me to send this strand to a gemological lab for verification? thanks!
Attachments
Last edited:
pearlescence
purveyor of pearls UK/EU
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2007
- Messages
- 4,112
Hi
These seem to be colourful peacocks, with good lustre, though as to flaws it is hard to tell with the photos out of focus - has your camera got a macro setting for such close up work?
Without having the pearl with the suspect drill hole in front of me my belief is that the nacre has cracked off as the pearl has been drilled, it does happen. What you see underneath is the nucleus.
I would not recommend wire for these pearls, they don't look that big and in any case wire will be stiff and you can't knot it. Use a synthetic if you don't want to use silk. Mind you if the pearls are for you and you are going to knot them yourself it hardly matters if the silk stretches in a few months, you can do it again (and probably much better!)
These seem to be colourful peacocks, with good lustre, though as to flaws it is hard to tell with the photos out of focus - has your camera got a macro setting for such close up work?
Without having the pearl with the suspect drill hole in front of me my belief is that the nacre has cracked off as the pearl has been drilled, it does happen. What you see underneath is the nucleus.
I would not recommend wire for these pearls, they don't look that big and in any case wire will be stiff and you can't knot it. Use a synthetic if you don't want to use silk. Mind you if the pearls are for you and you are going to knot them yourself it hardly matters if the silk stretches in a few months, you can do it again (and probably much better!)
pearlies
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2011
- Messages
- 81
Hi Wendy thanks for the advise. Do you think it could be imitation pearls? This is the most important thing to me now
!
I will be using powerpro 0.009 (doubled) as recommended by another helpful member here. What do you think of this choice?
I've spoken to Catherine (Cathybear if I am not wrong). She has been extremely helpful! I was thinking of sending the strand for her to string! But after considering the turnaround time and shipping expenses I might be seeking other alternative.
Lastly, What do you think of this strand of Tahitian pearls?
! I will be using powerpro 0.009 (doubled) as recommended by another helpful member here. What do you think of this choice?
I've spoken to Catherine (Cathybear if I am not wrong). She has been extremely helpful! I was thinking of sending the strand for her to string! But after considering the turnaround time and shipping expenses I might be seeking other alternative.
Lastly, What do you think of this strand of Tahitian pearls?
Attachments
Last edited:
pearlescence
purveyor of pearls UK/EU
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2007
- Messages
- 4,112
they are Tahitian pearls. I recommend you read the information on these pearls in another section of the forum.
Are the photos more of the same strand?
Are the photos more of the same strand?
Caitlin
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2004
- Messages
- 8,502
I don't like it that you got a pearl with a chunk missing at the drill hole! They are not imitations, that is the mother of pearl bead that gives it the bulk of its shape. They put those beads into a tiny slit in the oyster with a piece of nacre producing mantle where it forms a sac and coats the bead. Blemishes or dinks or divets are common in Tahitians and you pay A LOT more to get ones that aren't blemished. The broken chunk is not good, but overall it has fantastic color! The divets just prove it was grown in a shell, not a factory!
I would keep it and if restrung, put the missing chunk one at the back, maybe even at the clasp, if it is not too big for that position. Personally, I would not continue to buy from that seller- he has no eye for detail to let that broken one go by.
I would keep it and if restrung, put the missing chunk one at the back, maybe even at the clasp, if it is not too big for that position. Personally, I would not continue to buy from that seller- he has no eye for detail to let that broken one go by.
pearlies
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2011
- Messages
- 81
Hi thanks so much fOr the replies! I have got lots tO learn in pearls will this piece continue tO peel? I thought of removing it from the strand! Yes these are the photos I took. Should have waited for my sis to advise on the proper light to use. But I can't wait to share!
will this piece continue tO peel? I thought of removing it from the strand! Yes these are the photos I took. Should have waited for my sis to advise on the proper light to use. But I can't wait to share!
Ramona
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2008
- Messages
- 471
I think whether you want to leave the pearl in or not depends probably whether the necklace is for you or a customer. If it is for you, then Caitlin's advice is a good one. If you want to sell the necklace you probably want to disclose the flaw or try to replace the pearl. If the nacre is gone on only one side, you could perhaps add a bead cap to that side and hide it.
Caitlin
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2004
- Messages
- 8,502
Great idea, Add bead caps to the last pearl on each side of the necklace, making sure the chip is covered.
I did mean for your own use. It is too bad they did not disclose to you, but if you were to sell it, you should point out the flaw-and that it is covered by the bead cap.The top photo is good. It shows a lot of color on the sunny side and on the shady side.
I did mean for your own use. It is too bad they did not disclose to you, but if you were to sell it, you should point out the flaw-and that it is covered by the bead cap.The top photo is good. It shows a lot of color on the sunny side and on the shady side.
pearlies
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2011
- Messages
- 81
Hi all, I will have it remove from the strand I would like it for myself for now. Thanks for the bead cap idea, I will be using 1.8mm-3mm 14k white gold beads between. By the way Jeremy- I thought that Tahitian needs to have at least a 0.8mm thick nacre before they can be exported, I read that those below 0.8mm will be not pass the grading and will not be exported? so does it mean that this particular pearl has a thin nacre? all the others drill holes look fine though. Is there a need for someone to check on their nacre thickness? From my understanding, Tahitian pearls have high luster and a mirror-like finish, and is a result of thick nacre. I have look through a number of strands in the mall, comparatively this peacock strand has a higher luster, but shouldn't it have an even thicker nacre?
thanks
I would like it for myself for now. Thanks for the bead cap idea, I will be using 1.8mm-3mm 14k white gold beads between. By the way Jeremy- I thought that Tahitian needs to have at least a 0.8mm thick nacre before they can be exported, I read that those below 0.8mm will be not pass the grading and will not be exported? so does it mean that this particular pearl has a thin nacre? all the others drill holes look fine though. Is there a need for someone to check on their nacre thickness? From my understanding, Tahitian pearls have high luster and a mirror-like finish, and is a result of thick nacre. I have look through a number of strands in the mall, comparatively this peacock strand has a higher luster, but shouldn't it have an even thicker nacre?thanks
Last edited:
pearlescence
purveyor of pearls UK/EU
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2007
- Messages
- 4,112
Yes, it should have nacre of a specific thickness to pass export controls, but a lot of thinner nacred pearls are smuggled out (thereby being sold and avoiding taxations)
The nacre does sometimes crack off the drill hole when the pearl is drilled, even when it is done properly. If there are no signs of any more cracking then it probably won't crack any more. That is what appears to have happened here, although it might, as Jeremy says, be discolouration or similar in the inside nacre layers.
If the strand is for you and it doesn't show then ignore it. I wouldn't in that case even remove or move the pearl anywhere.
Chances are if it isn't immediately visible as a flaw the seller did not even notice it. For anything but a very high value strand there simply isn't going to be minute scrutiny in reality. The last person to see that was possibly the person who drilled the pearl and they weren't telling...
The nacre does sometimes crack off the drill hole when the pearl is drilled, even when it is done properly. If there are no signs of any more cracking then it probably won't crack any more. That is what appears to have happened here, although it might, as Jeremy says, be discolouration or similar in the inside nacre layers.
If the strand is for you and it doesn't show then ignore it. I wouldn't in that case even remove or move the pearl anywhere.
Chances are if it isn't immediately visible as a flaw the seller did not even notice it. For anything but a very high value strand there simply isn't going to be minute scrutiny in reality. The last person to see that was possibly the person who drilled the pearl and they weren't telling...
pearlies
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2011
- Messages
- 81
Re-string attempt. What a difference!
Re-string attempt. What a difference!
Hi all thanks for the advises! The pearls in the earlier photos were not arrange in the right order, they were in a mess. So I spend some time today rearranging them according to the color, shape, and graduation. And wow what a significant difference it made! This current strand blend much better and is visually pleasing If you noticed, the odd one has been removed , its down to 33 pcs, with the smaller and spotting 4 right at the back. here's some photo to share
Re-string attempt. What a difference!
Hi all thanks for the advises! The pearls in the earlier photos were not arrange in the right order, they were in a mess. So I spend some time today rearranging them according to the color, shape, and graduation. And wow what a significant difference it made! This current strand blend much better and is visually pleasing
If you noticed, the odd one has been removed , its down to 33 pcs, with the smaller and spotting 4 right at the back. here's some photo to shareAttachments
pearlies
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2011
- Messages
- 81
thank you cess
Thanks Caitlin- I have some white gold beads on their way to me, can't wait to put everything together! There was this protection between the pearls that was removed. Now it's temporary strung on a fishing line. Will that cause abrasion to the pearls, since they seems rubbing against each other.
Thanks Caitlin- I have some white gold beads on their way to me, can't wait to put everything together! There was this protection between the pearls that was removed. Now it's temporary strung on a fishing line. Will that cause abrasion to the pearls, since they seems rubbing against each other.
