Learning More About My Bahraini Pearls

[trishici]

Hello,

I was happy to happen upon the forum...I went to Bahrain about 1.5 years ago, and purchased some pearls as a present, as well as for myself. Though I've done some research on the Internet about natural pearls, I haven't been able to glean too many details. I'm curious where I could go for more information, as well as if my purchases were the real deal...

Supposedly, each piece is 21 kt. gold The three-piece set is recorded as being the following weights on the receipt: pendant (5/00), earrings (3/600), ring (3/300). The round earrings are also supposed to be 21 kt. gold.

I've tried to post photos, but have been unsuccessful making them compatible with this forum.

Thanks for your advice,
Trish

 

[Caitlin]

Hi
Lucky you for going to Bahrain! I haven't been there since 1954!
I am sure if you bought in Bahrain, the pearls are just what they were sold as. My grandfather had a high opinion of Bahraini pearl integrity- though you still need good bargaining skills.

I know the photo thing is daunting, but if you have xp, there is a program that opens when you view pictures where it is easy to resize and/or crop the photos. I always crop first and save, then resize and save as a new file so the original will still be huge.

If you don't have xp, you probably still have Paint which does the same thing. Open paint then browse for the photo you want, crop and resize. There is a command to resize in inches, centimeters, or pixels. Choose pixals and make the smaller dimension of the picture match the forum requirements 400 pixels high, 620 pixels across.

 

[KAC]

you also create an account at photobucket.com, upload your pictures there and post a link to any size photo here.

 

[Valeria101]

Photos of natural pearls !? Can't be missed... If nothing else works, I'll post them for you (just PM)

 

[trishici]

Curious to Learn More About My Pearls from Bahrain...

Curious to Learn More About My Pearls from Bahrain...

Hello,

I was happy to happen upon the forum...I went to Bahrain about 1.5 years ago, and purchased some pearls as a present, as well as for myself. Though I've done some research on the Internet about natural pearls, I haven't been able to glean too many details. I'm curious where I could go for more information, as well as if my purchases were the real deal...

Supposedly, each piece is 21 kt. gold The three-piece set is recorded as being the following weights on the receipt: pendant (5/00), earrings (3/600), ring (3/300). The round earrings are also supposed to be 21 kt. gold.

A photograph is attached...

Thanks for your feedback,
Trish

 

[trishici]

Second Set of Earrings...

Second Set of Earrings...

Hello again,

Additionally, here is the photograph of a second set of earrings I purchased in Manama, Bahrain. They were also marketed as Bahraini natural pearls, 21 kt. gold...

Thank you for sharing any details about the items in either photograph!

Trish

 

[Caitlin]

I have seen that style. What you have there is a really classic Bahraini seed pearl set.
Congratulations and thank you for posting pictures. It is beautiful.
Who did you buy from and what else did you see before choosing these pearls?

 

[knotty panda]

Dear Trishici: Hello and thank you for the photo of your beautiful pearls. I'm going to be really tacky here. Would you mind sharing the price? I apologize for asking such an inappropriate question and of course, please free to tell me it's none of my business. But I am curious. Thank you.

 

[Slraep]

Hi Trish,

I love good natural seed pearl jewellery. Yours is beautifully exotic looking set in rich high karat gold--my favorite!!. The earrings can be worn hippy-casual with jeans, all coutured up for the opera or playing Cleopatra with the boyfriend/hubby on romantic evenings. Very versatile. The set must look stunning on you.

Slraep

 

[Satine De La Courcel]

Yummy!!!!!

Yummy!!!!!

Trish,

I am at a loss for words, those are GEORGOUS Designs. I woudl love to travel to bahraign some day.. I love exotic and delicte designs.

Cheers

Ash

 

[trishici]

Dear Trishici: Hello and thank you for the photo of your beautiful pearls. I'm going to be really tacky here. Would you mind sharing the price? I apologize for asking such an inappropriate question and of course, please free to tell me it's none of my business. But I am curious. Thank you.

I don't mind sharing the price... I do believe that the three-piece set was about $175 or $200. I would have to check my receipt to be sure. I really didn't know if that was a reasonable deal or not since I had never seen anything with which to compare...

 

[rst1111]

Bahrainian pearl (?) set

Bahrainian pearl (?) set

My ex-husband, from the Middle East, purchased a set of Bahrainian pearls, I believe, which are off-round, peach/pink in color, and range from what appears to be 7-8.5 or so millimeters (guessing). I have earrings, necklace and bracelet. I took the set to a local jeweler who could not verify that they were Bahrainian, but did say that the spacers between, 5 as I recall, are platinum. The earrings are dangle with some very, very, small, but very clean diamonds on the posts and same with the bracelet and necklace on the clasps. I read where I would need to send this set to the Gemological Institute for appraisal. I am afraid to do this, since something could happen to them, and I live a LONG way from New York. Any suggestions? I can upload the pictures from Bubbleshare, if that helps.

 

[preswine]

My ex-husband, from the Middle East, purchased a set of Bahrainian pearls, I believe, which are off-round, peach/pink in color, and range from what appears to be 7-8.5 or so millimeters (guessing). I have earrings, necklace and bracelet. I took the set to a local jeweler who could not verify that they were Bahrainian, but did say that the spacers between, 5 as I recall, are platinum. The earrings are dangle with some very, very, small, but very clean diamonds on the posts and same with the bracelet and necklace on the clasps. I read where I would need to send this set to the Gemological Institute for appraisal. I am afraid to do this, since something could happen to them, and I live a LONG way from New York. Any suggestions? I can upload the pictures from Bubbleshare, if that helps.

If you live near the west coast many of the labs also have locations there. However, you should know that even if you take somewhere in person you'll still have to leave it with them for at least a few days. Furthermore, the labs won't be giving you a dollar amount appraisal, but an identification. You'll have a much harder time getting an appraisal since its hard to say exactly how much a string of natural pearls is worth without auctioning it off. What is your interest in getting them examined? Do you just want to satisfy your curiosity? Do you want to get them insured? Do you plan on selling them?

I wouldn't worry very much about mailing them. The majority of the business these labs get is via mail. Send it according to the lab's recommendation and you should be fine.

 

[Valeria101]

Can you take pictures and post them here? Using a normal digital camera on macro-setting should get pretty good pictures.

The platinum setting hints at something of very nice quality. But without seeing anything... it is hard to guess. And while pink saltwater pearl exist as a very unusual shade; frankly, I only know the color from old jewelry that was assumed to be set with natural saltwater pearls, and have never found a modern piece or strand with pink color, as opposed to pink overtone.

A 'peach pink' color and off-round shapes (as you describe them) relate more easily to freshwater pearls, although what I have in mind saying that may well be extremely different from what you try describe, those are just three words anyway... and I am no expert.

Ditto. for the top labs. Easy & safe to work by mail. Everyone does. But no appraisal...

 

[pattye]

Hi All,

I will mention again Professional Pearl Appraiser (yes, you will get a replacement $ amount of value)

Sharon Wakefield, BS ChE, GG, ISA-CAPP
Boise Idaho

email sharon@gem-science.com

ph 208 362-3938

She has worked with me and also others on this forum, is very knowledgable. You can call her for more info as did one of our other forum members. Jim is now sending his Very Rare Red Abalone pearls to her for appraisal. (Many valuables are sent safely daily via registered mail--we shipped $$$,$$$ of diamonds and other gems that way when I worked at Nordstrom fine jewelry, packages are signed for all the way. And can be insured for high amounts at low cost.)

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

 

[preswine]

Sharon Wakefield, BS ChE, GG, ISA-CAPP
Boise Idaho

email sharon@gem-science.com

ph 208 362-3938

A google search reveals that Ms Wakefield sometimes uses the title "Northwestern Gemological Laboratories". Does she perform (and interpret) her own x-rays or does she send out to one of the larger labs?

Although I certainly don't have any basis to comment on Ms Wakefield's expertise, I would personally be more comfortable sending out to a large lab with extensive modern equipment and noted leading experts. I was particularly impressed with the work of Dr Lore Kiefert from the AGTA lab in Manhattan. Not only does she have a PhD and a degree in gemology, but she routinely publishes in the gemological journals (including articles on the subject of pearls) and appears to be somewhat of a pioneer whose results I've read "often surprise even the best experts". Since I personally had the opportunity to have Dr Kiefert correctly identify a pearl which was incorrectly identified by another lab I am skeptical of anyone of lesser qualifications.

 

[pattye]

Hi Preswine,

Yes, I have Sharon's card, and it does indicate Northwest Gemological Laboratory; my intention was just to give a little info, so one could call her if they wished. I don't know how she handles x-rays, but that would be a good question to ask her. She also has published and given numerous professional presentations---and she is very easy to communicate with, not pompous or pretentious at all! And willing to refer elsewhere if appropriate.

Since you were so pleased with Dr Lore Kiefert, how about sharing contact information with that AGTA lab? And how the process works?
And approximate cost of work?

I live in fear that when we don't give a few options to those who need proper indentification and appraisals, THEY WILL GO TO THEIR LOCAL JEWELER(S)!!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

 

[preswine]

Hi Preswine,

Yes, I have Sharon's card, and it does indicate Northwest Gemological Laboratory; my intention was just to give a little info, so one could call her if they wished. I don't know how she handles x-rays, but that would be a good question to ask her. She also has published and given numerous professional presentations---and she is very easy to communicate with, not pompous or pretentious at all! And willing to refer elsewhere if appropriate.

Since you were so pleased with Dr Lore Kiefert, how about sharing contact information with that AGTA lab? And how the process works?
And approximate cost of work?

I live in fear that when we don't give a few options to those who need proper indentification and appraisals, THEY WILL GO TO THEIR LOCAL JEWELER(S)!!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

All the information on AGTA is available at http://www.agta-gtc.org/

Also, I would definitely not recommend EGL-USA (http://eglusa.com/). They're the ones that misidentified my natural pearl.

Finally, let's not forget GIA (http://www.gia.edu/gemtradelab/). If you're looking to auction the only certification Sotherby's will accept is GIA. However, GIA did have a (diamond related) scandal a few years ago and had to fire a number of it's employees. Also, since GIA is a big lab (over 200 employees) it's hard to say exactly who will be examining your pearls. I'm personally more comfortable knowing the exact person performing the examination along with their credentials.

In any case, if you really want to know the truth about your pearls I would definitely ask Sharon Wakefield how she performs her x-rays and especially how she distinguishes between natural and tissue nucleated pearls. I asked the gemologist at EGL-USA this and they answered me to my satisfaction, but they still misidentified my pearl, simply due to a lack of expertise. Pearl x-rays can be extremely difficult to interpret and can require multiple x-rays to reveal the true texture of the nacre.

On the other hand, if you're primarily interested in insurance then I'd call the insurance company and ask them what they require. No matter how good Sharon is, there's no sense in getting her appraisal if your insurance company won't accept it (if the insurance is what you're after).

On that note, another source of appraisals is Gina Latendresse of American Pearl Company in Tennessee. However, they don't perform x-rays. If you send your pearls to American Pearl Company for appraisal you either need to send along a lab report or they will send them out to a lab for you (either GIA or AGTA).

I hope that helps.

 

[Caitlin]

HI Preswine
I know you to be most methodical and careful with your language as well as your actions and the story of how you came to get your ring is quite wondeful, so I would take your advice in most cases.

If I am correct, Jeremy uses and trusts Sharon Wakefield. I think she is the first gem appraiser I heard him mention by name.

I am wondering if it is legal to sell freshwater pearls in Bahrain since they don't have a bead nucleus. I know the beaded ones are absolutely illegal there. I mean illegal, not just gauche.

 

[nlerner]

Originally posted by preswine:
GIA did have a (diamond related) scandal a few years ago and had to fire a number of it's employees.

here it is:
http://www.jcrs.com/newsletters/2006/2006_04.htm