Thanks a lot for the answers! I am learning about pearls, thanks to all of you! I bought these two pairs from the Hongqiao, the first 11mm pair I bought from Ling Ling who has been described here as an honest place to buy. I did not talk directly with her, but with another lady. But Ling Ling came, and had to approve the price we had negotiated. I also looked at a pair of 12-13 mm, but there the price was stuck at a level I felt is too much for me to invest - given my lack of understanding pearls. The service and attention I received was excellent, I should say. After Ling Ling, I decided to study a little more, and went to Li Mei, where I first had a hard negotiation about a pair. The first pair of pearls she showed, we simply could not agree on the price. I were not really interested in buying, just to find what the price is. Then, there was another pair of 12mm and those are the ones I bought; the detailed photos I posted show one of these two. I could not see any difference in color, quality, roundness etc to the ones I bought from Ling Ling so I thought if the ones I got from Ling Ling are SSP then the other pair is as well. I decided to buy, since the price was better than at Ling Ling so I thought the deal should be good. Provided, of course, the pearls are what LingLing/Li Mei told me they are i.e. SSP.
I have done both tooth test, and moved the pearls against each other with gentle pressure; I do observe grittiness, they dont move smoothly against each other. But then, maybe I dont have enoug experience to determine exactly what to expect.
I hope this information helps to find out what these are: SSP, Freshwater, something else, or not pearls at all.
If SSP, I know where to go next time in Beijing - and if so, I am eagerly waiting for my next trip! If not pearls, at least I know what to avoid - and one always has to pay something, for a lesson! Whatever, it is my first learning experience in pearls, and I value all the insight and help you all provide!!
