Welcome to Pearl-Guide!
We would be pleased to try to help you determine what sort of pearls you have, but we will need some information from you first:
1. Do the pearls feel slightly gritty or smooth when rubbed gently against your tooth or against another pearl?
If they are gritty, they are likely to be real nacre (genuine pearls.) If they feel smooth, they are likely imitation pearls.
2. Please provide clear, in-focus photos without flash against a white background (a paper towel works nicely.)
Include close-ups of the clasp (front and back) and a few of the pearls. If there are flaws, include a photo of those. Also the box they came in, and tags if you have them.
3. Any history you can give us about the pearls. Where/when you or your relative got them, any documentation you have (receipts, appraisals), their price range if you know it, etc.
4. Describe any marks on the clasp. These may be numbers (14K, 585, 750, 925 etc.) or brand names or even pictures.
5. Measure the pearls, with a millimeter ruler if possible. If they are graduated, measure the largest and smallest pearls.
Please understand that any opinions we offer are not an official appraisal. If you think you may have valuable pearls, please see a jeweler.
