Venezuelan Pearls

[Jackoslacker]

My wife is Venezuelan and received from her father these 2 strands of pearls and a ring. The pearls themselves are fairly unique with a yellow hue unlike anything I have seen elsewhere. They were given to my father in-law by his mother I have done quite a bit of research on the pearls from this area but one thing that continues to evade me is a ballpark price range for the pearls. I am going to send them to the GIA but before I do that does anyone have ideas on their value?

Sorry the picture quality is not very good. I will have to wait tomorrow when I have better lighting to take more pictures.

The island of Margarita was one of the first places Columbus landed and he discovered pearls there (Margarita is spanish for pearl). He subsequently sent others back to the island to get the pearls at which point they basically reduced the oyster population to just about nothing. Even today it is rare to find a lot of pearls here.

 

[SteveM]

The luster on those pearls defies the poor lighting conditions. Shapes and color variation are also in line with what appears to be a natural treasure. Good idea to send to GIA, as valuation is speculative until you get the results. Please let us know.

(BTW Margarita is from Greek margarites. Spanish for pearl is simply perla.)

 

[Bodecia]

Hi Jackoslacker,

The larger pearl strand does look beautiful. Baroques always appeal to me. You have said they were given to your father-in-law by his mother but that doesn't automatically give them a great age. The ring appears to be relatively modern and by that I mean around the 1970s or so. Do you know when they were purchased and any more details on them. Can you ask your father-in-law? and how old is his mother or was his mother when she received them or passed them along to him?

To me the larger strand is well worth keeping and it would be a good idea to have them checked out by the GIA but I feel that although lovely they are cultured. Of course this is just my opinion. I know nothing about Venezuelan pearls or pearls from the Island of Margarita. They do look a little like Sea Of Cortez pastel pearls and maybe an expert on Cortez pearls can jump in here.

Could you also give us the size of the pearls and what the clasp is made of. All this can help when looking at pearl necklaces. Not that the clasp, if a cheapy, means the pearls are. Clasps get broken and people can string them on whatever is to hand or readily available. I have seen natural pearls strung on rubbish clasps and am sure others have too.

I realise Steve said they may be natural but this is not what I am seeing. I see beautiful pastel baroque cultured pearls. I do hope others chime in here with their opinions and possible experience of pearls from this area.

The smaller necklace of pearls appears to be of a much inferior quality to the larger ones. None of this is meant to offend in any way And the value as being passed down from one generation to the next is invaluable.

Dawn - Bodecia
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 and natural pearl collector and all round pearl lover.

 

[Jackoslacker]

So last night I was able to talk to my mother in-law more about these pearls last night. I did have the story a little mixed up...

The pearls were partially paid for by my father in laws, mother but my father in law is the one that actually acquired them. In the early 1970s he was working on Margarita Island and was friends with some fishermen there. He used the money from his mother to buy the pearls from the fishermen. As far as them being cultured, it is possible but these fishermen have virtually nothing to their names and have no idea the value of pearls. They dive for oysters and sell them on the beaches to the locals.

Either way I will have them appraised by the GIA but I am curious as to whether or not anyone else has seen these types of pearls. Their color is very unique and they have a beautiful shine to them.

@smetzler Thank you for the clarification.. My wife also corrected me on it last night

 

[GemGeek]

The color is not unique if you've seen a lot of pearls. But if you are comparing them to the standard fare in a jewelry store, it would appear that way. I think their being natural is entirely plausible according to your story. I agree with Bodecia that the ring is less likely to be natural.

Sea of Cortez pearls from Peteria sterna usually have a silver component to their coloration and they are rare.

Even after you get them tested, you can't expect a windfall as they are baroque in shape and it can be hard to market them by yourself.

They are beautiful. Good luck!

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

I realise Steve said they may be natural but this is not what I am seeing. I see beautiful pastel baroque cultured pearls. I do hope others chime in here with their opinions and possible experience of pearls from this area.

The smaller necklace of pearls appears to be of a much inferior quality to the larger ones.

The set of larger pearls appears cultured to me too. It doesn't seem plausible, that a community of fishermen could match a set like this.

However, the smaller set presents with some natural features, worthy of investigation. I'd like to see separate better quality images, perhaps some with back light. It fits the OP's story better.

Other than some similar tones, length and ownership history, these strands are likely from different sources.

 

[GemGeek]

The set of larger pearls appears cultured to me too. It doesn't seem plausible, that a community of fishermen could match a set like this.

However, the smaller set presents with some natural features, worthy of investigation. I'd like to see separate better quality images, perhaps some with back light. It fits the OP's story better.

Other than some similar tones, length and ownership history, these strands are likely from different sources.

Now that I'm not on my iPod screen, I see what you and Bodecia mean!

 

[Bodecia]

Hi Jackoslacker,

When you find out more about your pearls please do let us know. We all love to learn as I am sure you do. As Dave said I find it hard to believe that local fishermen could find this many pearls in one area in even an extended time let alone a relatively short time. I do wonder if these fishermen who were most likely very poor and living on the edge may have pulled a bit of a swifty and bought cultured pearls to sell as naturals. The fishermen must have been fishing oysters for the tourists and maybe themselves for the eating and any rare pearl finds they came across would be just that, rare.

Naturals of any shape have a high value. Regardless I think the larger strand is beautiful and I am sure your father-in-law got a bargain. A close up of both necklaces would be great. If you twirl each necklace around into a wheel or round shape then pearls can be enlarged and a really good look at them will be possible.

If they were naturals they would be worth quite a bit. You didn't mention the size of the pearls in either necklace. This would be helpful. If as I suspect they are cultured please do not let that influence you against them. They are still lovely and they have family history which can only enhance them. Don't let it turn you against pearls in general either, they are worth collecting and adoring.

Dawn - Bodecia
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 and natural pearl collector and all round pearl lover.

 

[Jackoslacker]

Thank you everyone for the replies!

Sorry it has taken me so long to respond. My wife currently has Dengue Fever which has left me taking care of our infant. As soon as I get a chance I will post some better pictures that show the size and detail of the pearls. It will take me a few weeks to get back to the US but once I do we will send the pearls off to the GIA. Until then we will just be hoping they are natural

 

[DrTKStern]

Thank you everyone for the replies!

Sorry it has taken me so long to respond. My wife currently has Dengue Fever which has left me taking care of our infant. As soon as I get a chance I will post some better pictures that show the size and detail of the pearls. It will take me a few weeks to get back to the US but once I do we will send the pearls off to the GIA. Until then we will just be hoping they are natural

Sorry about that Dengue, and we all pray for a quick recovery. You can send the pearls FEDEX to GIA Testing Lab in New York from wherever you are. No need to wait. I am interested in this type of pearl, so let me know the results.

Tom Stern,MD
Chairman, Stern Natural Pearls