[danachit]

This week I had a lovely visit with an older woman. We had the most wonderful conversation over dinner as I relayed story after story from this forum. She, too, loves pearls and was anxious to return home so she could share her pearls with me.

She opened a dresser drawer and I saw boxes atop boxes of old brooches, charm bracelets, necklaces...some gloriously from the 20s!!

However, as she gingerly removed her 'pearls' my heart broke as I immediately saw these were not real. She asked my opinion and I commented on their beauty but told her they were actually not genuine pearls. I then showed her how to tell with a gentle tooth rub...comparing her real Mikimotos to the plastic variety.

I felt so sad for her. All this time she had what she thought were her Mama's pearls. They WERE her Mama's pearls...just not the variety from an oyster. They had yellowed over time and lost their 'pearl-likeness' too.

Have yall had to break the news like this? It's hard...I felt bad for her. But I intend to do a bang-up restringing job on her Mikimotos and maybe throw in some cornbread muffins to boot.

[CortezPearls]

Sadly enough, I've lived several similar situations down here...women incredibly proud of their authentic "La Paz Pearls" (the way some people refered to "Cortez Pearls" in the past), just to tell them they are actually "Mallorcas".

Some do not LIKE being told this, they will barge out of the store in a flurry of smoke and brimstone. Some others will become sad, slowly walk out...few other will defiantly throw away the offending piece into a trash bin and will purchase the Real Thing.

Mixed emotions...but the Truth shall set you Free!

[GemGeek]

Really? Are the bright violet/blue/lavender Mallorcas supposed to simulate Cortez pearls? I've seen a lot of them lately.

[danachit]

I have a vague memory of seeing someone selling fake pearls with expensive clasps...but I thought she said the pearls were made from crushed pearls to form the outer layer. Maybe she said fish scales and I just 'heard' pearls...LOL! I just checked out the Majorca site and what they charge for a strand would get someone a nice strand with Jeremy. A little bit of knowledge goes a long way!

[GemGeek]

Yes, I had a chance to buy the Majorca brand violet "pearls" at half price, but they were vibrating in the fluorescent lamp. They were just too bright.

Not much later, I gave in and bought a big beautiful fake multi-color strand from the duty-free tray on the airplane. I thought it would be fun to wear, but everyone was sure I was wearing real pearls because of my business. They were asking me how much it would cost to buy them and it was awkward to tell them they weren't real.

You are right about the fish scales, Danachit.

[Ashley]

I sadly, have had to tell many ladies their gemstones were simulated/synthetic/glass... it is always a difficult job, and one that I undertake with a great deal of caution. No matter what, the person in question has formed a sentimental attachment to the piece, is very proud of it, and in many cases, gone through a great deal to obtain said jewelry.

My mother's engagement ring has a 2.5-3ct Star Sapphire ringed with diamond melee in 14KW- Synthetic (as SO MANY are from the 1950's through the 70's). She still wears it though

A client of mine from years ago (working in AK), came in dripping with an almost complete set of the designer couture jewelry that I represented at the time...all of it was knock-off, with simulated Opal. She was so excited about her decade-long journey painstakingly collecting each piece, the amounts that she'd spent over the years to obtain them... I didn't have the heart to say a word. Who knows if she knows now, but it would have been almost cruel to point this out to her at the time.

Grandmother's grey pearls: Mallorca (she pretends she didn't hear me and I let it stay that way).

Me: Teensy pieces of geniune materials self-purchased as nobody is willing to take the risk of buying jewelry for me anymore as they are terrified of an informed opinion. Go figure

[Ingykiz]

I inherited a strand of pearls from my grandmother that I have always cherished. She always wore them with her diamond studs( real diamonds) but the pearls were costume. I store them as if they are real because of senitmental value. I only buy real pearls so my daughter can have something besides just sentimental value. At least that is how I have convinced my DH that I need to buy all of my pearls. I think he is wising up...I am a pearl addict!!!

[danachit]

I know what you mean about the fear of buying jewelry for a person who does jewelry.

My hubby used to try. He would choose things from Ross Simmons and send it to my neighbor. Little did he know she would call me the SECOND the box came and we would gingerly unwrap and inspect the piece, gauging the appropriate reaction. If I liked it, I would look forward to wearing it....If I didn't, I had time to invent a response. Bless his heart...he tried and I love him for it. Now, he buys me saddles and guns instead.

[knotty panda]

It's not my job to break any bad news to anyone. If I'm going to break anyone's heart, it will be the jewelry store owner who doesn't know a pearl from a wad of paper mache. Everyone who brings me something to string has a story to go with their piece. No reason for me to tell them any different than they believe. What good would it do? When and if the time comes that they need to know if they are real or not, they'll find out. Despite the logo on my name, I am anything but a pearl expert, just a knotting expert. Real or faux, they all get the same care from me.

Regarding faux pearls: Ever price a vintage Kenneth J. Lane piece? Didn't Jackie Kennedy Onasis’s faux pearls sell at auction for $211,000 at Sotheby’s? I've heard Mallorica's are worth every penny they charge. They are coated with fish scales. Pattye used to sell them, I believe. She's the expert.

[CortezPearls]

It is like we have talked at other posts here in this forum: if you like it buy it! ...BUT if they tell you one thing and it is SOMETHING ELSE it is CHEATING & STEALING.

Why not say: "It is a good strand of Mallorcas...but these are faux or artificial pearls...not cultured nor natural". Then we would not have these problems.

Uneducated (gem-related, ok?) sales personnel or even unethical jewelers should be busted for causing people this "sentimental pain".

[knotty panda]

We need a "clap, clap, clap" icon. I think we all agree with what you said, Doug, but my inner wench is missing the accent

[Ashley]

Danachit,

Your husband sounds like a real peach!!



Douglas, you are totally right, and the knock-off jewelers in many of these tourist rich areas where outlet sales are held are easily able to take advantage of an uneducated consumer There are many ways to get around saying "Synthetic Opal" or "Artificial Pearl" (Shell-pearl anyone? That was confusing even me!...), but at the end of the day, quality craftsmanship and materials will always speak for themselves.

If you're in a jewelry store, contemplating a large purchase, isn't it your responsibility to take a long, hard look at the gold work and ask questions about the stones? Yes, there are always hustlers out there, but it also a consumer's duty to educate themselves about a purchase that is supposed to last a lifetime.