"Value" can be replacement value for insurance purposes, or resale value, which is much lower. If you are wondering about current replacement value, you could look at what similar strands are selling for now online to get an idea of what it would cost to replace it. If you're thinking of selling them, that is another matter.
You've only worn them once in all these years; do you not care much for them and so are wondering their potential resale value? (Are you referring to the cream colored strand in your other thread or another strand?
Can you help me identify and possibly evaluate my pearls? My pearl necklace is 32" with 8.5-9 mm pearls of yellowish cream color, moderate blemishes and medium luster. I have attached a photo that I hope may help. Thanks so much for any help you can provide.
www.pearl-guide.com
One buys at retail but sells at wholesale. Pre-owned cultured pearls lose value just as a new car loses value as soon as you drive it out of the lot. (I know you said yours are not identified as cultured, but at that price point they would not be either imitation or natural pearls, so that only leaves cultured, which includes both cultured freshwater and cultured saltwater pearls. If humans were involved in the process of farming them, they are cultured.)
Also affecting value: Styles change. Several decades ago people seemed to be wearing cream colored pearls more, whereas now whiter pearls seem to be more in demand.
A good way to get an idea of what they might bring you on resale is to go on eBay and do a search for
sold strands like yours. Not that eBay is the only venue. Many people sell on Loupe Troop or Diamond Bistro. Some sell on Ruby Lane. Some consign with their local jeweler. I'm sure there are other venues. However, you would need to pay listing and final fees, PayPal fees, etc. and if consigning, the store owner will take 40-60% of the final sale price. Generally speaking, you can expect to sell pearls at a significant loss. Still, if you don't like them, however much money you gain by selling them can be applied to pearls you actually
want to wear.
If you do like the pearls but don't like that particular strand as it is, it's possible to restyle them. Shorten the strand, or restring it as a station necklace (a.k.a. "tin cup" style necklace, so named after Renee Russo's station pearl necklace in the movie of the same name.) Or make a bracelet out of it. Or restring it wire wrapped, with colored stones between the pearls. In other words, if you don't like it as is, you can always turn it into something you like better.
