What Do I Have Here?

[mara]

I am new here and sorry if this is not the right place to ask this.
I don't know nearly as much about pearls as I thought I did!
I have an idea for a couple of necklaces I want to make for my daughter and me.
So I have been looking at the Rose Bowl swap meet/flea market in Pasadena CA for some appropriate pearls.
I have these on memo and I thought they were attractive but now I am wondering if they are just junk?
Not well matched in color, size, or shape but there are 116 on the strand with a common 14k gold clasp.
I am probably wrong but a few hours on the internet leads me to guess that they are low grade Akoya or SS Pearls.
Can anyone tell from the picture?
Is the strand worth $200?
Sorry just cannot get the pics in here - help?

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Hi mara and welcome to P-G!

I see your photos just fine.

Those are cultured Chinese freshwater pearls. They are not junk, but they are not valuable pearls either. They have nice luster and the natural range of pink/peach colors is pleasing to the eye. If you like them, that is what matters.

The reason they are those non-round shapes is that unlike cultured akoya pearls they do not have a bead inside, so they are nacre all the way through. You could get a lifetime of wear from them.

 

[pearlescence]

There are many websites which sell loose pearls - that is a necklace length of pearls on a temporary strand - ready for a maker to make up into jewellery. (Avoid eBay etc as a novice). You'll find a huge range of pearls in different shapes, sizes, colours and quality. Likewise many websites selling clasps (some might even sell pearls, stringing materials and clasps!) I think you will do better and be assured as to what you are getting if you go this route. Others in the US will be able to post with site recommends

 

[BWeaves]

You have a strand of Chinese freshwater pearls that are not very well matched. They do not have a bead inside, which is why they are not round, but they are pearl nacre all the way through.

For the price, I think you can get a better quality necklace from some of the respected online vendors like Pearl Paradise.

However, if you really like this necklace, the price is not bad. But if you are not in love with it, keep looking, as I think you can do better. You can order from the online vendors mentioned and they have generous return policies so you can try out necklaces. They can send you photos and help you find exactly what you would like.

 

[amti]

Look for consistency in color. Also important is luster and shape. Freshwater pearls are relatively inexpensive and you can get some great deals if you look around. Black Friday sales are coming up so why not hold off a little longer? I got an email from Pearl Paradise today about their BF sales starting in a day and I bet they will have a few nice strands on sale! Plus, they have a great return policy so you have nothing to lose!

 

[Katbran]

They are quite average looking freshwater pearls and not worth 200$ in my opinion. There are some Ebay sellers that were ok..but I've not been there for years.. and a few ETSY sellers where you can get some decent looking pearl strands for not too much...certainly less than 200 !

Try Wen pearls on ETSY - several people here have happily bought from them.

Avoid anything that says Akoya or South Sea...they most likely aren't.

 

[Sea Urchin]

I agree that they're low grade freshwater pearls and that $200 is too much. Pearl Paradise is a huge, reputable seller and you could get much nicer pearls for your money. They used to have "pearls by the inch" but I don't see it on the site now. If you just want the pearls without the knotting or the clasp, you could shoot them a message and ask. (Another giveaway that they're freshwaters is that peachy color, common in freshwater pearls). Good luck. I hope you post what you make!