Old Mine Diamond clasp on Vintage Pearls, Help ID, please

[TwoDogMom]

Hi,
I am new here and recently purchased this string of about 6.5 mm pearls mainly for the beautiful clasp which has over 1 ct. dwt in old mine diamonds in 14 KT (as marked) yellow gold. It is a box pearl clasp with a marking that I found a picture of on the internet. How old do you think the pearls are what kind? The pearls are cream with a rose overtone. I assume ths clasp would be from the early 1900s with the old mine cut diamonds. I'm sorry for my poor photographs, my phone camera is not good on closeups.

 

[GemGeek]

The pearls are not graduated, so are not of an age with the clasp's diamonds. Clasps don't usually indicate a maker for the pearls and are often swapped with pearl restringing. And the diamonds could have been set into a newer clasp. They are probably akoya pearls, but I would like to see more photos on a white paper towel or a piece of white paper. You can coil the pearls so we can see more of them close-up.

 

[Parrot Lady]

I can't imagine anyone using an expensive 14kg and diamond clasp on inexpensive freshwater pearls so Inwould assume those are akoyas.

 

[Anthera]

The clasp is beautiful, but you can't tell the age of the pearls from the clasp.

 

[TwoDogMom]

Thank you for your responses. I have taken a picture with the pearls on a white paper towel.

 

[MSC]

It looks like they took a plain box clasp and soldered the diamond bit onto the top surface...

 

[Pearl Dreams]

The pearls are cultured akoya pearls, not particularly old nor particularly high quality. I think MSC is right about the soldering.

 

[GemGeek]

Everyone is right. The little tiny wrinkles are typical of akoya and give away that they are not top grade, but they are pretty.

Having a remade clasp is not a bad thing, especially when it has such charming diamonds.

 

[Anthera]

It looks like they took a plain box clasp and soldered the diamond bit onto the top surface...

That is exactly what they have done. I've done it too. Its a great way to glam up a plain clasp.