Pearl Pair

[Lady_Disdain]

What do you guys think of these pearls? They were offered to me by a reputable vendor I've Always been happy with but who is no pearl specialist. He got it from a retiring jeweler (I know, we've all heard this story before but I do know and trust this guy) and they are supposed tobe vintage SS.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

What size are they? It seems like the drill hole is a bit large for SSP?

 

[dkan 168]

I am not an expert, however, my gut feel tells me that may not be SSPs but Akoyas instead, as they look too shiny/glassy to be SSPs to me.

DK

 

[Lady_Disdain]

They are 7.7mm, which made me think something was odd.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I think dkan is right then-- they're likely akoyas.

Maybe the seller was told, way back when he first obtained them, that they were "sea pearls" (true of akoyas) and misunderstood that to mean they were South sea pearls?

 

[pearlescence]

Nacre looks too thick for akoya

 

[Pearl Dreams]

If you measure the image of the pearl and the image of the nacre thickness and make a ratio, you can calculate the nacre thickness.
By my calculations the nacre thickness is about .52-.55mm.

If they really are old stock akoya, is it very unlikely that they could have that thickness of nacre?

 

[KAC]

If you measure the image of the pearl and the image of the nacre thickness and make a ratio, you can calculate the nacre thickness.
By my calculations the nacre thickness is about .52-.55mm.

If they really are old stock akoya, is it very unlikely that they could have that thickness of nacre?

Wow, you're good PD!

sure .5mm is considered very thick for Akoya, but not uncommon.


If the pearls are bead nuked and 7.7mm, really the only option is Akoya. And the luster does look much more like Akoya than South Sea, so...

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Wow, this fórum is amazing! I am going to drop the vendor a line and link to this discussion. Thank you for all the help!

 

[pattye]

Excellent photos, lustrous pearls, mystery solved, good job PD and DK!! What will they become, Beatriz?

 

[GemGeek]

Great job, pearl sleuths!

 

[Lady_Disdain]

I don't have them yet, Pattye. I am showing the fotos to a prospective cliente to get the go ahead on a Project. Fingers crossed!

 

[MSC]

What a great measurement method PD!