Hi there- first time poster. I'm zoocache here in Kalamazoo, MI. I love to pick and treasure hunt and sell on EBay (as zoocache) as a way to further my addiction! I love antique jewelry, especially Victorian, Art Nouveau and Edwardian. I saw these and, honestly, just fell in love with the clasp. It is OLD. I think late 1890s early 1900s. The top is worked in a silver repousse leaf pattern and holds a small red stone- probably garnet? The base of the clasp is gold hallmarked like this <750> i.e. 18kt. There is no other maker information on it.
Super dirty and not that pretty when I bought it. The seller made a comment about the color- creamy w/ a bit of yellow- "too bad there're not pink." I paid $100 for them, mostly because my mother loved pearls and I just remembered she always said old pearls were the best. I was actually poking around this site looking at the restringing tutorials when I saw this thread and thought I'd give it a chance.
They range from 4mm to 7.5mm (center pearl). 21.5" long and a total of 83 pearls.
I washed them and photographed them as directed. WOW! They really came alive when I washed them. I still think they are probably all their money at $100 but I would love to know more. They really aren't blemished much and in great shape- hardly any wear to them. They pass the gritty test- rubbed against each other gently. Also, the best color representation is the last one. They are a pretty pale off-white cream. The "yellow" came off when I washed them!
I hope you can tell me what I have and maybe a general idea of worth. I am not going to sell them, as I have my only little Margaret and I thought this would be a perfect strand for her, someday.
View attachment 33101View attachment 33102View attachment 33103View attachment 33104View attachment 33105View attachment 33106View attachment 33107
Super dirty and not that pretty when I bought it. The seller made a comment about the color- creamy w/ a bit of yellow- "too bad there're not pink." I paid $100 for them, mostly because my mother loved pearls and I just remembered she always said old pearls were the best. I was actually poking around this site looking at the restringing tutorials when I saw this thread and thought I'd give it a chance.
They range from 4mm to 7.5mm (center pearl). 21.5" long and a total of 83 pearls.
I washed them and photographed them as directed. WOW! They really came alive when I washed them. I still think they are probably all their money at $100 but I would love to know more. They really aren't blemished much and in great shape- hardly any wear to them. They pass the gritty test- rubbed against each other gently. Also, the best color representation is the last one. They are a pretty pale off-white cream. The "yellow" came off when I washed them!
I hope you can tell me what I have and maybe a general idea of worth. I am not going to sell them, as I have my only little Margaret and I thought this would be a perfect strand for her, someday.
View attachment 33101View attachment 33102View attachment 33103View attachment 33104View attachment 33105View attachment 33106View attachment 33107