Trying to figure out what I have here.

[baloo4224]

I have this double strand of pearls that I inherited about 30 years ago. They belonged to my great-grandmother and I don't know much about them at all. I have been told they are from the 1920's but I don't even know if that is true. The clasp is beautiful and has one large diamond surrounded by 20 smaller diamonds. There is no stamp or printing on any part of the clasp. I do kmow the pearls are real just never had them checked for natural or cultured.

Any ideas on this would be great. Is this a necklace for my jeans and t shirt or for my safe deposit box.

Thanks,

Shannon

 

[pattye]

Hi Baloo,

Could you please try close up photos again? This one isn't clear enough to tell anything, unfortunately. If you have a macro setting on your camera that would be best. Also several close up photos. Thanks!

Also: helpful, length of strand, and if possible, size of pearls, would you happen to have a mm gauge?

BTW, no pearls ever belong in a safe deposit box, way too dry in there! Same thing with a safe, pearls need to be worn and have some humidity.
Good section indexed on the left re: caring for pearls.

Welcome, and hope to see more photos soon!

 

[elisa]

Welcome to pearl guide!

yes, please take another photo or two using the macro mode on your camera, I'd love to get a closer look at the clasp, I adore vintage findings!

Regardless, do not put them in a safe deposit box; wear them, even with your jeans

 

[baloo4224]

I will try and get some clearer pictures as well as some info on size. I had a jeweler look at them years ago so i know I have the sizes somewhere.

I don't have any reason to believe they are natural other then my family has said they believe my great grandmother always had "the best". She was a very wealthy woman who liked to spend it. I never knew her or her money This was the only thing we ever got from them. After seeing that what I have is more likely to be cultured that is what I believe?? The jeweler threw me off though by saying the clasp itself was worth quite a bit and the pearls were just kinds "there". Doesn't make any sense to me since Pearls are what she wanted back then.

 

[baloo4224]

Ok, got some pics using macro. Also, the length is 16 inches (considered choker right)? There are 57 pearls on one strand and 55 on the other. They range in size with 3.5mm being the smallest on either strand and 9.5mm being the largest.

My mother told me that my great grandmother traveled to China alot so she may have gotten them there??

 

[knotty panda]

I think your jeweler is probably correct. What he meant was, the clasp by itself is worth X dollars and the pearls, by themselves, are worth signficantly less in this market. Diamonds have a better resale value than pearls. I think your pearls are probably cultured. 9.5MM is nothing to sneeze at. I'm sure your great-grandmother spent a pretty penny on the strand. They are lovely pearls and you should wear them with whatever else you have on.

 

[baloo4224]

Thank you! It's nice to know that this is something I should wear. They really are pretty and I have only worn them once, on my wedding day. I'm more afraid of losing the clasp then the pearls.

 

[laurenb]

No doubt this has occurred to you, but if the clasp is valuable enough that fear of losing it limits your enjoyment of the pearls, maybe it should go back in the safety deposit box and you need a shiny new clasp.

 

[GemGeek]

Lovely pearls, for sure! Yes, most likely cultured Akoyas, but good ones.

Perhaps you might consider having them made into one long strand and putting a simple clasp on them so you can have the big diamond set into a ring or pendant.

Good Luck and Welcome to the Forum.

 

[pattye]

Thanks for the clearer photos! They are lovely pearls. They appear to have been restrung, or very seldom worn, as the knots are not stretched out.

Because the clasp is attached in 4 places, it is not likely to be "lost", and a jeweler can make sure any prongs in the setting are tight so the diamonds will not fall out. Also a jeweler can make sure the connections between the clasp and silk cord is secure. Sometimes an open jump ring is used, which can open up if the necklace is tugged on. I cannot tell exactly how it is fastened, but I think the silk is tied over a small ring.

It looks like the tongue fits securely into the clasp. That would be my biggest concern, that the tongue would fail, or become loose. Then the chance of losing the whole necklace is greater.

Were you able to find out if the clasp is white gold, platinum or silver? White gold is very strong and platinum also.

Just my opinion,

 

[Nerida]

I think your strand is cultured akoyas.. and ones that as previously has been mentioned, are very good.... they are in great condition! The clasp is gorgeous. Enjoy wearing them, they would have been worth a fortune in the 20's!

 

[Caitlin]

My grandmother in law started buying the new exclusive cultured pearls in the 1920's. Really, only people ready to spend on the best would get them because they were not a mass market item in the 20's.

I like Blaire's idea of re purposing the clasp. On pearls, diamond clasps are called "mabel-swining" by some. Like putting lipstick on a pig, pearls do not need diamonds, in fact, the diamonds may possibly damage the pearls if stored in a bag and not laid out carefully for storage.

On Facebook, I joined a group called "Yes, I wear pearls with jeans!" Everyone should wear them with jeans! How about with sweat pants? Why not?

 

[Pearlcat]

Your pearls are beautiful -- what a treasure! I dream of clasps like yours!

Love the idea of "Yes, I wear pearls with jeans" group. Now that I know how to string pearls, I've been giving gifts of pearls to everyone and I keep hearing "I'll wear these for a special occasion." I keep telling people to wear them all the time, especially with jeans! Pearls are meant to worn and often

 

[barbie biggs]

Hello Baloo (umm, Jungle Book?):
If your grandmother liked quality, she must have loved those pearls. I agree with Blaire and the others, they look like very high quality akoya. Partly this is due to the design. That looks like a very well executed graduated style from the turn of the last century. (My husband loves those.)
One of the great things about being alive near the turn of THIS century is that we can be a little less formal about things. Pearls are definitely good with jeans as well as when dressed up. You have a lovely necklace there. Hope you enjoy it and have fun.
barbie

Welcome aboard!

 

[waimeamomi]

On Facebook, I joined a group called "Yes, I wear pearls with jeans!" Everyone should wear them with jeans! How about with sweat pants? Why not?

What about pajamas???

 

[GemGeek]

What about pajamas???

Decadent girl!

 

[jerin]

Hi Baloo,

I think they are cultured Akoyas as the pearls are perfectly round. Try to change to some other clasp without diamonds so you don?t get your pearls scratched. The next best thing is to learn how to string as you undoubtedly will be buying more pearl jewellery, won?t you? Once you master the stringing, you can change clasps to you heart?s content. Don?t forget to wear your pearls, they don?t get better in some safe!

 

[dkan 168]

The pearls are lovely, whatever they are.

However, I have a nagging feeling that the clasp may not be real, but a good quality paste in white metal clasp.

I hope I am wrong though!

DK

 

[Caitlin]

Great idea! Wear 'em 24/7 with or without clothes.

 

[knotty panda]

Clothing, when worn with pearls, can be SOOOOO distracting!