Natural pearls value

Zel,

I am sure that everyone is waiting on more photos taken on some white fabric or even better white kitten draining paper. Could you not snap off a few close ups for us in the meantime.

Thanks, Dawn
Bodecia
eBay ID dawncee333
 
That was extremely helpful, thanks a lot. He was recomend
ed to me for pearl testing.
LETS JUST HOPE I GET AN APPOINTMENT SOON.
THANKS AGAIN
 
I'll add new photos tomorrow :) promise. Been busy at work, tomorrow i'll have more time
 
New photoes added on my profile.
Pls have a look and give me your opinions.
Hope the pics are better this time around
 
picture.php
 
Hi Zel,

I can't understand why one of the pearl experts hasn't commented but in my opinion the pearl necklace strand is not natural but a fine quality cultured pearl. Sorry, but that is my honest opinion.

Your photos aren't great as the colour is not good but don't photoshop to improve or not in my opinion. I never use it myself and just don't believe in it as it means altering colour and details.

The earrings at this stage I would not count out but your photos which seem so have a pink or orange over-glow do not allow a good look plus you have not zoomed in on them. I suppose they are cultured too due to it being a set but one can live in hope surely.

The pearl necklace is way to even in shape, size, lustre. They just don't have the look of naturals to me. At the time you listed them I truly wondered why everyone thought they were naturals because they didn't look like it to me. But although I do collect naturals I can be wrong. They just scream cultured to me. I would love to be proved wrong and hope you will continue to list and give results of experts. For your sake would love to be proved wrong too but I truly don't think I am. Sorry.

Dawn
Bodecia
eBay seller ID dawncee333
 
Even if they are cultured, they are awesome and worth money. OOps, did I say that already?

If they are natural, they are so perfect, they would be worth an astronomical amount- fit for royalty. I could see no blemishes, no off-roundness and they are perfectly matched for size and color. Even this old, none appear to have gone off color. Still in the 40's, in the south of France, they could be from the Russian influx after the revolution, so one can hope. Good luck.
 
I think we are mostly reserving judgement, because of not having greatly enlarged photos to judge from. Perhaps, Zel, you might "candle" the pearls by just holding them right on top of a bright flashlight to see if there is a dark center in the larger pearls with a translucent outer ring. then just move down the strand to observe the smaller pearls. I have some small and very irregular Mississippi natural pearls, they appear translucent with no dark center. Others have used this method also examining pearls, although it certainly is no substitute for an official appraisal by a pearl expert.
 
Is your family one which would realistically spend many thousands of ?/francs on pearls. Even at the time of acquisition they would cost a raesonable fortune.
what I am wondering is if, somewhere down the line 'natural' has been confused with 'real' as against manufactured/fake.
The configuration is pretty much standard early cultured akoya
 
Thank you very much for your comments.
First of all i understand the photoes are not the best and could be camera or poor lightning.
I did look at the pearls under light and there was no brown line seen.
It was also examined by 2 experts who confirmed that.
It is taking time to arrange testing cause i'm combining this with my work.
However i'm currently in process of booking appointment at Christies in Kensington, London where specialist took interest in testing the pearls.
Background as i said before is the lady who bought them was the first woman solicitor in France so therefore wealthy lady.
As for set, i was told the necklace is non cultured but ring and one earing could be cultured. As we all know that needs to be confirmed.
I will keep you posted
 
Also to add to this, none of the photos were done in photoshop. I can only post 600 x 600 megapixel size so the pictures do not come as good quality. I assure you the colour of the pearls does not show the way it is seen by eye.
I will try and take more shots hoping i get it right.
 
Ok here are the pics taken under natural light. Hopefuly this time i did a better job?
Just to let you know I have booked an appointment with Christies specialist :)
Only thats for 28th of August, they will then refer me to the right person to test them.
I can't believe how difficult it is to find the expert who can test the pearls in London.
If u have any idea where i could find someone in London please let me know.
I shall be awaiting patiently for your comments on my new photos.
 
I think you have a 3.5 momme, graduated strand of pearls. That would almost certainly make them Japanese cultured, and if the ends are around 3 mm and the center 7 mm, you can pretty much be certain.
 
Oh wow you seem to be sure they are cultured... Cant believe 2 experts can be so wrong. They actually examined them
 
I am guessing that the ends are knotted about a half-dozen pearls or so in, and the rest is not.

It definitely looks like a vintage, 3.5 momme graduated strand.
 
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