What pearls are these
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Agustus-Collection
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Pattye, many many times strands of pearls and gemstones from in India have those kind of 'fancy cords'..
pattye
Pearl Scholar
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Yes, I have often seen tassels on good quality gemstone strands and high quality rounds, but never on pearls like that. I wonder what size they are? Do inexpensive pearls get this treatment, too? Or are these pearls something special that I am missing? Maybe keshi?
Aman, please tell us what else you know about these pearls.
Aman, please tell us what else you know about these pearls.
pearlescence
purveyor of pearls UK/EU
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Yes, could be natural freshwater...I have some very like that
Agustus-Collection
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those still could be freshwater keshi's.. well i need some better pictures would help to be sure
Honey_and_Lemon
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They look like freshwater buttons.
Caitlin
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What do you want to know?
It sounds like you have all the information you need. If what you say is true, then they should be "Basra" pearls- which is a shorthand way to say the pearls are from the Persian Gulf.
Because they are mostly button pearls, they are not as valuable as round pearls, and they do look like freshwater pearls to many, so I suggest you go to a local, respected pearl dealer and discuss getting them certified as "real pearls" or whatever English phrase they use. Nobody knows more about Basra pearls than pearl dealers in India. Based on the karat weight and actual range of sizes, a local respected Indian pearl dealer can tell you their value on the current market. Also, the biggest market for Basra pearls is right there in India. Out here in the rest of the world, they would be competing with cultured freshwater button pearls from China in looks- and probably not get the respect they deserve, because of the shapes looking so freshwater.
Has your family just kept them in strands like that for 150 years and not used them for jewelry? The tassels don't look old, so they are new or have been packed away for generations, but they don't look packed either. What have they told you about them? How do you know they have been lying around unused for 150 years? Your family has so many Basra pearls, the women can't wear them all, so leave some lying around on strands?
Or were those taken apart recently and put back into unfinished strands, for sale purposes? Please tell us more.
It sounds like you have all the information you need. If what you say is true, then they should be "Basra" pearls- which is a shorthand way to say the pearls are from the Persian Gulf.
Because they are mostly button pearls, they are not as valuable as round pearls, and they do look like freshwater pearls to many, so I suggest you go to a local, respected pearl dealer and discuss getting them certified as "real pearls" or whatever English phrase they use. Nobody knows more about Basra pearls than pearl dealers in India. Based on the karat weight and actual range of sizes, a local respected Indian pearl dealer can tell you their value on the current market. Also, the biggest market for Basra pearls is right there in India. Out here in the rest of the world, they would be competing with cultured freshwater button pearls from China in looks- and probably not get the respect they deserve, because of the shapes looking so freshwater.
Has your family just kept them in strands like that for 150 years and not used them for jewelry? The tassels don't look old, so they are new or have been packed away for generations, but they don't look packed either. What have they told you about them? How do you know they have been lying around unused for 150 years? Your family has so many Basra pearls, the women can't wear them all, so leave some lying around on strands?
Or were those taken apart recently and put back into unfinished strands, for sale purposes? Please tell us more.
Agustus-Collection
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Well they could be 'basra' pearls, the best would be to get them tested, if they are what you think, very well spend money!
Persian Gulf pearls are typically referred as Basra pearls.
I still would say freshwater keshi's though, especially since they are still temporarily strung and not made into any jewelry after such a long time, odd.
Persian Gulf pearls are typically referred as Basra pearls.
I still would say freshwater keshi's though, especially since they are still temporarily strung and not made into any jewelry after such a long time, odd.
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Hi there. thanks for your reply. The pearls are part of a rosary which i havnt included in the picture. Iv will shortly upload full picture of the tasbi (rosary) for u to have a close look. Do take a look at the beads, the alternate ones are of pure god and the rest are called mirzaan. These belonged to my wifes great great grandfather ( Mohamedali ).
Caitlin
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I love it! More photos showing how they connect to the rosary, please! I do believe that could be the age you said and the use of the pearls makes complete sense. I really want to see more pix of the pearls in their proper context! They seem to hang. Can you show how that looks?
Agustus-Collection
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ooohh now it makes much much more sense! I assume those are 18K gold beads? Seeing the complete necklace i believe that those could be indeed 'basra pearls'.
Quite a very beautiful necklace
Quite a very beautiful necklace
