Pearl necklace

[Dnyiradi]

Hi All,

Recently inherited this pearl necklace and am unsure of type. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Has UKa 925 engraved on the clasp. Smallest starting at 3mm up to 7mm and feels gritty when rubbed together.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Although there are imitation strands that look like that, since you say it feels gritty when rubbed, they are cultured akoya pearls.

That is what is called a momme strand or 3.5 momme strand (momme being a unit of weight). During WWII/Korean War era, many of these strands were sold to American servicemen and others working in the Far East. They were affordable because, being graduated, the total weight was less than a uniform-size strand would have been. Graduated strands were popular until the early 1960s or so.