[Bodecia]

Hi, spotted this and thought of the POA but this is better looking I think. The pearl is 25 mm high and the thickness is only 7mm. What do all you experts think of it. Would it be worth having just because it is natural or does this type of pearl have to be huge to be of value. Thinking of Value what do you think it is worth?? I sort of like it one minute and not so much the next. Would love some opinions on it.

Thanks All, Bodecia

[DrTKStern]

Originally Posted by Bodecia

Hi, spotted this and thought of the POA but this is better looking I think. The pearl is 25 mm high and the thickness is only 7mm. What do all you experts think of it. Would it be worth having just because it is natural or does this type of pearl have to be huge to be of value. Thinking of Value what do you think it is worth?? I sort of like it one minute and not so much the next. Would love some opinions on it.

Thanks All, Bodecia

Hi,

Do you know more about its history? Decorations suggest French influence. I like it. Definitely valuable if a pearl and not carved shell.

Tom

[Bodecia]

Hi Tom and thanks. Here is some more info that the seller had listed. It looks natural to me and not a shell. I will post some more photos in a few minutes. Can you guesstimate on value?

Gorgeous authentic Art Nouveau chateleine pin in Sterling Silver with a natural Pearl. At the time this pin was made there were no cultured pearls. I have read that Mr Mikimoto actually developed the technique for inducing pearl creation and that did not happen until the late 1910s. This pin dates to at least a full decade prior to that, and probably more. It comes from the Estate of a family who moved from Russia to the United States in the early 1900s. I also believe it is Brittish as it is marked "Sterling" in the back.

It measures 1 1/8" tall by a bit over 1" wide. Closes with an old fashioned C shaped clasp. It is in beautiful condition, only showing a small bowing to the clasp prong due to wear.

The pearl measures 1/2" tall by 5/16" wide. It is lustrous and has good orient, with many colors displayed. It is a baroque pearl which happens to resemble a flower, the silver leaves enhance the shape. A very unique piece and truly one of a kind.

[Bodecia]

Okay have some photos of the back etc. They are not very big photos but I think it should give you a good idea if it is a genuine natural or not. Thanks for you advice. Must go look at your gorgeous pearls again. Love them.

Bodecia

[pattye]

Hi Bodecia,

That's a pretty piece. Does look like a pearl. Being in sterling should bring the cost down a bit. MUCH nicer than POA! I don't have a clue as to value, though.

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[Caitlin]

It is too lustrous to be a clam pearl! I am thinking it is a river pearl from Scotland.

I heard that the GIA can tell a freshwater from a salt water pearl.

You sure do find some interesting pearls!

[Slraep]

Originally Posted by Caitlin

It is too lustrous to be a clam pearl! I am thinking it is a river pearl from Scotland.

Yup, you beat me to it Caitlin--- Scottish river pearl is the most probable and it sure looks like it could be one. Doesn't look like a clam pearl.

Slraep

[Caitlin]

Glad you agree. The pattern of the luster is very similar to other baroque river pearls I have seen. I think the sterling looks very old and worn in the closeups. It is a lovely piece.

Are you thinking of buying it? Sorry I can't even take a guess at its value........

[Slraep]

Bodecia, you should ask/check that the pearl is original to the setting. If not, it could have been replaced by a CFWP. If there are no signs of tampering, then Scottish river pearl still stands.

Slraep

[Bodecia]

Hi All,

Thanks for the feedback. I will tell just how good it is when it arrives. I bought it. It had a BIN price on it. I saw it earlier today and just couldn't stop thinking about it. Then when I saw Tom's reply I went mad and heart thumping in case it had been snapped up I swooped on it and well now it is done.

I am thinking of using it as a Pearl Enhancer and will send the photo of what the seller said it was used as. I am planning on turning the brooch/pendant thingy upside down and popping in on some pearls.

As for Scottish River Pearl, yes that would explain the Sterling on it although I would have expected it to be properly hallmarked it from Britain. But then only an English speaking country would put

Sterling

on it so although it does look French it can't be.

Will send another photo of the way I am going to use it too.

Caitlin - thanks. I smell pearls out. If I was a lot younger and even crazier than I am I would probably have Pearl Studs in my nose - hah. I wasn't looking for pearls in silver when I came across it. It just popped up in my search, probably because I also entered the Search in the description as well as Title. I don't normally do that, so I guess I was lucky - well I hope so.

Bo

[Bodecia]

Hope you can understand what I mean about turning it around and using the brooch as a Pearl Enhancer. But along with the last photo this should give you an idea. These photos are from the back and you can see the hook thing that would do the job.

Has anyone any idea how much it is worth. I would hate to think I paid too much. but I always like to know. I paid $145 plus shipping.

Bo

[Bodecia]

Slraep,

Bodecia, you should ask/check that the pearl is original to the setting. If not, it could have been replaced by a CFWP. If there are no signs of tampering, then Scottish river pearl still stands.

Hi, I guess I will find out for sure when it arrives in a week or so. I paid for Express for safety so it should be too long. Of course I have paid for Express before and had things sent via ordinary airmail, not even boxed. Some sellers suck.

Caitlin,

Glad you agree. The pattern of the luster is very similar to other baroque river pearls I have seen. I think the sterling looks very old and worn in the closeups. It is a lovely piece.

Are you thinking of buying it? Sorry I can't even take a guess at its value........

Yes, you have seen my now Caitlin that yes I was thinking of buying it. I just couldn't get it out of my mind. What's new there where pearls are concerned.

That's a pretty piece. Does look like a pearl. Being in sterling should bring the cost down a bit. MUCH nicer than POA! I don't have a clue as to value, though.

Hi Pattye, Yes I think it is much nicer the POA too. That is really horrid. Still I wouldn't mind owning it if only to sell

Bo

[Caitlin]

Considering the age, the size of the pearl and the beautiful design-that is such a clever way to make it an enhancer......I think it is a reasonable price. You certainly were not burned.

[pattye]

Hi Bodecia,

I think you got a real deal! I would have paid $200 easily for that, but not $2000. I agree it could be a river pearl, that is what the striations remind me of, although it is thicker than most of the Mississippi river pearls we saw in Tucson. I love the graceful design and that you can use it for an enhancer without changing or damaging the piece. Hope it reaches you in A-1 condition.

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[GemGeek]

I agree with Caitlin and Pattye, that is a good price on a unique piece that's sure to bring you years of pleasure.