what are these pearl?

[BAS]

I just took a look at your album. That necklace looks great on you! I didn't see anything like that at my local TJ Maxx. Maybe when I return in a day or two... I wonder if the souffles will come back. I'd just like to see and touch one in person. Enjoy wearing your new purchase!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Thank you! The brand tag says "Cultured pearls"-- no mention of freshwater, which I thought was interesting. Maybe the fact that they are bead nukes is why they are now calling them that.

Edit: looking closer, I found the abbreviation "FWP" on the store's tag.

 

[Simply adorned]

Wish we had a TJ Maxx I'd run right over, even though I don't like store shopping.

 

[maiakity]

We have several TJ Maxx stores in our area. I have not seen any more souffl? pearls since my earlier post on that one strand, but I do see many other bead-nucleated CFWP; baroques, flameballs and off-rounds.
I bought a circl? 14-16mm strand today that had a satiny luster like SSP for a price so low I could not walk away (photos in my album.) I do love ringed pearls!

photo links:
https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=23662&d=1372797111

https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=23671&d=1372797600

Maybe we need a thread for pearls found at T.J. Maxx!

Ohhhh, I love these!!!! They are enormous, they look great on you

 

[GemGeek]

They are over the top gorgeous!

 

[CharmedOne]

They are beautiful. I have never bought ringed pearls before but WOW do they look amazing in the larger size. I love buying pearls and beaded necklaces at TJ Maxx because they discount them so much. I'm waiting for them to mark down a pearl and jade bracelet they have had for six weeks now. The sales associate said to check back in a week, so I may stop in and take a photo tomorrow. They have this lovely 48 inch strand with rubies and white pearls. I wanted to buy it but it was $89 and the tag said yellow gold but it didn't even have a clasp. I asked the girl to ask the manager about it. So will check on them too.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Ooh, the ruby and pearl one sounds beautiful!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Well, I've been "had".

I finally sat down with my loupe to take a closer look (I wondered why a fwp would have this sort of satin look) and despite their maker's tag (Lucoral) labeling them as cultured pearls and the store tag labeling them as freshwater pearls, these are just shell pearls-- fake nacre over a ringed shell nucleus! There is no doubt at all that there is some sort of coating.



I suppose the price wasn't excessive for a pretty faux strand but it is appalling that they were mislabeled this way, and I do not like being lied to.

Watch out for Lucoral brand at T. J. Max.

Edit: I am more and more puzzled about this brand:
http://www.ieatpe.org.tw/tit/tit21_38.htm
http://fashiontribe.staradvertiserblogs.com/2013/06/11/add-lucoral-museum-to-your-summer-to-do-list/

Do they actually sell some cultured pearls?

These have failed the tooth test and rubbing one pearl against another also fails. Fake!

I found a link that says it all. Lucoral apparently make a line called Masami which are a shell nucleus coated to look like a SSP. There is the answer.
http://lucoraljewelry.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1

One more link I found to the Lucoral Museum: http://www.lucoralmuseum.com/index.html

 

[pattye]

Wow, shocking! I've never heard of that brand before. They must be really pretty for a connoisseur like you to choose them.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I do like them and am not fundamentally opposed to imitation pearls, but I like to know what I'm buying up front!

 

[CharmedOne]

Wow PD, thank you for that information. I bought some pearls from a name brand call peyote bird from TJ MAXX. They had leather, silver and some pretty flourite stones on the bracelet too. It was really pretty but my MIL took it when she was here last lol

 

[Caitlin]

My MiL loves my pearls too! Pearls are good for MiL's!