[WilliamF]

Hey Everyone,

I am new to this forum but I have some pearls that I came across and I was wondering if I could get some feedback on what they are. I have posted a couple of pics below only they aren't the best shots. I can get better pictures if needed. Had to Crop them alot if someone has some suggestions on getting better photos that would be great too :P

-Thanks
Will

[pattye]

So, William,

It will be helpful if you give us more information like---

1. How many do you have?

2. What size are they?

3. Is it correct that they are not drilled?

4. What do you know about their origin? What have you been told about them?

5. Did you just find them under a bush like the Easter Bunny left them?

6. Better photos are always helpful too!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[jerin]

Hi Will,
what is the actual colour? They look yellow/golden so that could be golden South Seas but they could be Akoyas, if white. The size is important, if over 10 mm, they could not be Akoyas!
I just realized that you post under "Natural Pearls". Then of course, we are not talking Akoyas at all!

[WilliamF]

Here are some better quality pictures of the pearls. to answer some of your questions, the sizes are all different. There is a penny in the picture to show some scale of the pearls. They are not drilled. Not found under a bush, but just like the easter bunny left them there yes.

[Slraep]

They look like cute little freshwaters.

Slraep

[pattye]

Hi Will,

Thanks much for the new photos. I am leaning toward freshwaters also, mainly because of the shape. However, only a lab could tell if they are actually "Naturals".

It is good that there are some imperfections shown on the pearls, that is one way some of our most experienced pearl experts may use to id your pearls, or rule out some kinds.

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[WilliamF]

I do have an x ray of about 10 of the pearls. I am just in the process of getting it picked up. I will post it as soon as I get it.

[Kevin Canning]

They appear to be Freshwater pearls to me. It would be pretty rare to have that many naturals and not know it, a handful of naturals like that doesn't really just show up - Freshwater pearls however are very common.

[WilliamF]

Hey Kevin,

What are the value of freshwater pearls? What is the easiest way to differentiate between freshwater and natural pearls? Are freshwater pearls generally 100% nacre ?

-Thanks

[Kevin Canning]

Hi William,

Well the cost to have pearls examined to determine if they are natural is going to run over $100.

I'm wasn't saying they couldn't be natural, it is possible - but from the pics they look like freshwater pearls. As for Value, well you probably have enough change in your pocket to cover the cost of them.

Someone with a better eye for naturals might be able to be of more help, natural pearls are not something I deal in.

[Valeria101]

Originally Posted by WilliamF

What are the value of freshwater pearls?

For small, irregular cultured freshwater pearls? A few dollars for all those...

Originally Posted by WilliamF

What is the easiest way to differentiate between freshwater and natural pearls?

None, really...

Between natural and cultured freshwater pearls... no shortcut for identification. None that I've ever heard of (which isn't allot saying). OK, the species used for cultivation are not the most likely for natural pearls, but that's not exactly a matter o identification - more of sleuthing.

There is nothing handy unless the look of the pearls happens to be typical for some type, and this is not the case with your pearls. The shapes and sizes and colors just hint that the pearls are not nucleated (most likely), whether they are freshwater or saltwater, cultured or natural... no clue.

The only way would be a lab report: the pearls would have high resolution X-Ray photos taken (no, the dentist's machine doesn't do that) and the identification will be based on the structure of the nacre layers throughout the pearl. I don' know all the criteria used... it isn't all that simple. But again, that's why there is need for those gemological laboratories in the first place.

Originally Posted by WilliamF

Are freshwater pearls generally 100% nacre ?

Yes.

Bead nucleated freshwater pearls are still very unusual. And small ones... I don't really know nucleated freshwater pearls below 10mm are even supposed to exist anywhere.

The shape size and color of your pearls make me think they are '100% nacre' - tissue nucleated ones.



All this, as much as I know. I am ... just a pearl fan trying to help.

If the origin of these pearls makes you think they might be natural, you might as well want to have them tested. Well equipped appraiser labs might be more accommodating then the big institutions, but there aren't many specializing in pearls (run a search on this forum for "appraiser" and you'll find a couple), but you just need one... Certainly, the report of a widely recognized laboratory carries some clout, but that's yet one more choice for you

[arthur128]

hi there,
I'm a new comer.
I'm not an expert over pearls, I just deal with freshwater pearls and saltwater pearls(maybe we call it Chinese Akoya) and imitation pearls.
As to the pearls showed in your pictures, in my opinion, I think it should be dyed freshwater pearls. Better tp turn to the website or the place where you find the pearl to check it's categories.
Arthur
www.pearls-land.com
skype:arthur-yin

[Kevin Canning]

Arthur, welcome to the forums but I don't think you read or understood the post. I don't think they purchased a handful of loose freshwater pearls from a website and I don't think they are dyed, just simple white freshwater pearls.