Pearl Necklace Valuation

[sodadfc]

Hi all

I am trying to get a valuation for a necklace. The gold bars In between are 18k. Any rough valuations help and advice would be appreciated.

 

[GemGeek]

It's a lovely necklace and the pearls look great so far. It would be nice if you could get sharper photos so we can get a better idea of the pearls (try macro setting of little flower). And please take a photo on a white paper towel or other white non-reflective surface, preferably in indirect daylight. Also, be aware that the owner may have been mislead by the seller about the pearls being natural. Do you have any provenance or a lab report? A sales receipt? Name of seller imprinted on box? If selling the pearls is your goal, then the value would be much higher with a corresponding pearl report.

Welcome to Pearl-Guide!

 

[lilliefuzzysocks]

Have you checked eBay? I've purchased several similar in different lengths to harvest components. How long is this one? Size of the pearls would be helpful.

 

[sodadfc]

Thanks for the quick replies, unfortunately they were givin as a corporate gift years ago and do not come with a report, just in the boxes. Where is the best place to get this from? The pearls are about 5mil wide.

 

[GemGeek]

Can you take an in-focus photo and then crop to a small area? I still can't see anything. They are very likely not natural as perfect round pearls would cost tens of thousands of dollars. From what I can see so far, they look like high quality cultured akoya pearls.

 

[KarinK]

Did you check if they are real pearls? They do look like akoya pearls but try to rub two of them gently against each other or one on a tooth. If they are smooth, they are imitation pearls. Real pearls feel slightly gritty.

We can't give you an actual evaluation, only point you to the kind of pearls they are and what they sell for. Are you looking for an insurance evaluation or are you thinking of putting them up for sale? Most people who visit the forum with their pearls find the value of pre-owned pearls is a lot less than they thought and end up wearing them rather than selling them.

- Karin

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I've seen a number of Majorica (brand) pieces given as company retirement gifts. If they are Majorica, they will be vermeil (18K gold plated over sterling silver) and the pearls will be high quality imitation pearls.

Look closely at the clasp-- does it say 925, indicating silver? If so, the metal is vermeil.

A close-up of the pearls on the white background, in natural light, will help. Majorica imitation pearls have red and green overtones to make them look real.
Can you put up a photo of the box?

 

[sodadfc]

The clasp is marked '18k' so I am presuming it is real gold. I will get some better pictures , thanks for all the advise so far.

 

[GemGeek]

The note that says natural may just mean that they are not artificial.

 

[sodadfc]

Hi All

Some more pics, these are a little better, again any advice appreciated.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Okay, now these look like akoya cultured pearls with significant surface blemishes such as one sees in baroque pearls. In the first photo two of them look elongated; this could be caused by the camera as they look fairly round otherwise. In any case the pearls will not have a high value due to their surface characteristics.

The majority of the value of the necklace will be in the 18K gold, I would say.

 

[GemGeek]

Good advice and thanks for taking great photos.

 

[sodadfc]

Hi, thanks for the help. I think it's now confirmed that these are Japanese Akoya Cultured Pears with 18k clasp and 18k gold bars in between pearls. Can anyone give me a very rough estimate what these would sell for 2nd hand.

Thanks

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Nowadays it's easy to find better quality pearls, so I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better to disassemble the necklace and sell the gold findings (tubes, round ball beads, clasp) either for their gold value (scrap gold), or possibly even sell the findings themselves to beaders for repurposing.

There are lots of people who like to make their own jewelry and who might prefer to buy your pre-owned findings at a reduced rate than to pay for new findings. But I think if you do that, you should get a scrap quote first (or several quotes, as different gold buyers may offer different amounts.) Go with whatever option gives you the best price. JMO.

 

[KarinK]

Nowadays it's easy to find better quality pearls, so I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better to disassemble the necklace and sell the gold findings (tubes, round ball beads, clasp) either for their gold value (scrap gold), or possibly even sell the findings themselves to beaders for repurposing.

There are lots of people who like to make their own jewelry and who might prefer to buy your pre-owned findings at a reduced rate than to pay for new findings. But I think if you do that, you should get a scrap quote first (or several quotes, as different gold buyers may offer different amounts.) Go with whatever option gives you the best price. JMO.

I agree.

- Karin

 

[jshepherd]

I completely agree. The value is in the gold. The pearls have some pretty serious issues.