Lake Biwa Pearls

[The Pearl Outlet]

I just bought a small number very old, Lake Biwa pearls and, as usual, couldn't wait to share them with everyone. So here's a close up.

 

[pattye]

So Awesome! They look like they are in great condition!! Rich colors too. Please don't sell them----------

 

[The Pearl Outlet]

Here are the white ones:

 

[Heidi]

Very lovely - nice piece of history, too!

 

[Caitlin]

Yummy purple!

 

[knotty panda]

There's a big FINALLY! We've been looking for (how long Caitlin, Pattye?) for a decent pic of real Biwas, not the ones with the hijacked Biwa name. Great piece of history. Any more info on them? I've never seen the purple ones before. Good work! How long are the strands? I'm such a nugget freak, I love those.

 

[Mandy]

Ooooh *o* Love the purples!

 

[GemGeek]

Please don't sell them----------

Unless you sell them to me!

 

[The Pearl Outlet]

I hope I don't freak anyone out, but they're going on sale tomorrow... (sorry Pattye). The pearls are 5-6mm and I've had them strung up to 17 1/2".

 

[Satine De La Courcel]

They are beautiful!!! real Biwas how awesome! hope the new owners will know what a treasure they really have. Just fantastic! Incidentally my faves are the purples ones as well.

cheers
Ash

 

[Pearl Dreams]

My mom gave me a strand of Biwa pearls that look like your white ones for Christmas, 1980. They are small, but they have great luster.

 

[Monty Hall]

Are the Biwas going to be displayed tomorrow on the Pearl Outlet web site? I just checked. They don't seem to be there yet.

Thanks for sharing!
CarolK

 

[jerin]

Terry,
how do you know these are real Biwas? We have had discussions on pieces that sold on Ebay called "Biwas" and no certain answer to how one knows came up....

 

[The Pearl Outlet]

Great question Jerin. They come from a long-time source of mine that I trust. Their family was in the business back when Lake Biwa was producing. These are from a very old lot and they've guaranteed they are indeed Biwa pearls and have the paperwork to prove it as well.

Here's a quote previously on PG in regard to what Biwa pearls look like:

The early Biwa pearls were almost universally elongated and baroque. They were also very small ? an average of 5 mm. They were very similar looking to the natural pearls of the Middle East and were sold as such until the 1950s when natural dealers finally caught on.

 

[Hanaleimom]

biwa

biwa

Hi Terry,
Are these tissue or bead nucleated? I believe some posts here on PG said they are both, depending on the date of grafting. I think one post said they started out as bead-nucleated and later someone else started the tissue-nucleating, but I can't find the post again. THanks.

 

[callire]

Wow! So pretty! Wish I could get them, but I've already done enough damage on the CC!

 

[Raisondetre]

It's a very good price for Biwa ...

 

[Heidi]

Ooh, done and...done. These are right up my alley.

 

[The Pearl Outlet]

Are these tissue or bead nucleated?

To tell you the truth, I don't know and I don't have the heart to cut one apart to find out.

 

[Mandy]

Well I'm certainly curious! I know what you mean though...these pearls are very unique!

If you want my opinion they don't look bead nuked from the photos you provided, unless the nuclei that were used were quite small and some were very flat (they're only 5-6mm in size right?).