Pearl necklace ID-ing

[GregS]

Hello,
I was wondering if I can get info on Pearl necklace identification. This was my late Mom's pearl necklace and not sure who makes and believe it is a real. It has a "star" in the center of the clasp that appears to be 14K gold. There is an old faded note with "Mancamano" written but I can't find this maker. I looked all over internet and can't seem to ID the necklace. There is small bracelet too. Please see pic. Thanks in advance!
Greg

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Those appear to be imitation pearls.

The uniformity of their size, shape, color, luster, the absence of typical flaws seen in real pearl necklaces, lack of pearl overtone colors and the inexpensive way they are finished all point to imitation pearls. Unless the clasp is stamped with a karat gold mark (14k, 10k, 585, 750 etc.), it is likely just electroplated, i.e. base metal.

Imitation pearls were very common among ladies of the previous generation. My late mother had a strand she loved and thought was real, and my late mother in law also had imitation pearls-- she and her husband both thought they were real.

However, you may wish to do these simple tests, to satisfy yourself:

1. Rubbing test: Rub two of the pearls together gently. What do you feel? Real pearls feel gritty when rubbed together this way; imitation pearls glide smoothly. If they stick a bit, that is grime-- wipe them clean with a soft damp cloth and test again.

2. Temperature test: Real pearls feel cooler than imitation pearls. To do this test you need some other pearls to compare with-- either pearls you know to be real or that you know to be fake. Leave this necklace and the other pearls in the same room for half an hour or so (to eliminate the variable of ambient temperature where they were stored.) Then touch them briefly to your lips, which are very sensitive to temperature. What do you feel?