Look at these eBay pearls...

[Caitlin]

What do you think about these? They have an Edwardian "vibe" to me........
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8931889495&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

 

[Zeide Erskine]

Hi Caitlin,

I considered bidding on these as you know, but then, the seller was not too informed in his responses to my questions. From the pictures I would suspect that most of the pearls especially the bigger ones are actually naturals and only some of the smaller ones look truly cultured.

Zeide

 

[Caitlin]

Zeide
If this were cultured and from 1920's, $2k would be a good price?

If this has naturals on it, the buyer has a Navajo Chief's blanket in disguise?

Would you elaborate a little? I've been looking closely at it, I notice variations in color. The biggest pearls seem a little different. I do see some shape variatons on round, not much.

 

[Zeide Erskine]

Hi Caitlin,

This is a Navajo Chief blanket with Atahulapas Jade trasure on top. I see only 5 pearls (small ones near the clasp) that look like thy may be cultured. The rest looks clearly natural. They are not the highest luster in all and not the world's greatest surface smoothness but I'd say the opening bid was well below 1% of its value.

Zeide

 

[Caitlin]

So $2,000 would be a good price if someone thought it was cultured pearls. I am so tempted to put a picture up in hopes the new owner will find us! Before they can tell us to take it down, they can read your opinion.

So between this and the Miki that other person mentioned, eBay had quite a week in pearls!

I got my Strack a couple of days ago. On page 11 of the English version, there is a necklace of naturals that sold recently for 140,000 pounds sterling. They are large pearls from the 18th Century and have a diamond/platinum clasp and fantastic luster.

But the really remarkable thing about them is there is hardly a round pearl on the entire double strand necklace! Most are visibly off- round. By today's cultured pearl standands of roundness these flunk, big time. Yet I think even the most perfect akoya could not match this one for all luster qulaities and of course, for overall value.

 

[Zeide Erskine]

Hi Caitlin,

That necklace is not in the German version on page 11 (Tahitian promo picture) or anywhere else. Rats, now I have to get the English version afterall. But it makes me so happy to see more and more comments on the book. Imagine if more than us few actually start reading up on the various naturals! A whole new generation of pearl connoisseurs is in the making. So, all you dear readers, get your copy, enjoy and educate the sellers, marketers, and farmers on what we really want!

Zeide

 

[Satine De La Courcel]

Too bad I do not read German I woudl get both versions.... I have experienced books on the same subjedct printeed for the US and England being different..... I am still glad to be getting my book!



Ash

 

[Caitlin]

Hi Zeide and Ashby
The promo lit that comes with it says the English version is updated and enlarged since the German edition came out.

This is a definitive textbook. Soon we will all be quoting it to make our points!