[Mikeyy]

Originally Posted by Pearl_dreams

A crate of them, eh? That is a lot of fake pearls! Still, people do like them. You could sell them on eBay....

Or use them to decorate your Christmas tree!

I actually considered using them for a Xmas tree. But they are made with real shell Nucs. So they are really too heavy for it.

[Pearl_dreams]

Ah, shell "pearls"!

Are they large enough to look like South Sea pearls? If so, there might be a market for them on eBay (see completed listings to find what they are going for.) You would want to put "imitation" in the title and description (to avoid misunderstandings and subsequent disputes).

Smaller pearls that just look like Akoyas may not sell as well. JMO.

[Nerida]

I agree. I only stock quite large shell pearls... these days I use ones with shell nuclei. Smaller ones - no need for them - the substitute is for SS's, not FW's or akoyas. And some of them look great - I've posted pics elsewhere.

Originally Posted by Pearl_dreams

I don't think it could have been Majorica as the brand doesn't date back to the 1600s. But it may well have been imitation. Even Leonardo da Vinci experimented with making imitation pearls.

The Majorica brand does not go back that far in history but similar processes do. The Italians knew how to blow iridesccent glass at this time and filled them with wax to make fake pearls, In the 17th Century someone added fish scales to the inside of the glass. and sealed it with wax, another technique was to take wax balls and laquer them.

If I am not mistaken Leoardo da Vinci's method was to crush exisiting small pearls mix with lemon juice and tartar until a paste is formed and roll into balls.. I can not find the exact recipie at the moment but that is what I seem to remember.

A friend of mnie has a 16" strand of 8mm peach Majorica, they are very pretty.

cheers
Ash

[Mikeyy]

These are some of what I have. These are 9mm. You probably can't see them well but they feel about right.

Just about right for a "town" strand!

[Pearl_dreams]

They're nice! Too small to pass for SSP but I like Patty's idea about a rope (is that what you meant?)

Yes, Pearl_Dreams! Oh, and a great size for bracelets too!

[pearlescence]

Going to the pearl factory was a standard day out when visiting Majorca when package holidays started up from here to the island about thirty or so years ago

[john675]

I like the Christmas tree decoration idea, myself ;-)