[Valeria101]

... and some unusual purple pearls at that. What do you make of this bit of news?

LINK to unusual Mississippi pearls.

[knotty panda]

If only wishing could make it so ...

[Pearl_dreams]

What cool shapes and orient!

[GemGeek]

If you remember my post on United States Pearl from Tucson, you should recognize this photo of the same product - definitely United States Pearls!




EDIT -- They're the SAME PEARLS!!!! I can't believe how people "embellish" on eBay! While they were supposedly languishing in a vault, I was taking this photo!

[GemGeek]

I corresponded with the seller and he's selling them for a guy who gave the story that he wouldn't part with them, but he needs the cash right away, etc. The seller says, yep, they're the same pearls in the photo. His "friend" will get a surprise tomorrow...

Can you imagine being "outed" by the pearl police?

[DrTKStern]

Originally Posted by GemGeek

If you remember my post on United States Pearl from Tucson, you should recognize this photo of the same product - definitely United States Pearls!

Attachment 3073


EDIT -- They're the SAME PEARLS!!!! I can't believe how people "embellish" on eBay! While they were supposedly languishing in a vault, I was taking this photo!

Hi, I can't find your post from Tucson. Are these fake or something? Thanks. Tom Stern

[GemGeek]

Not fake. Could be a by-product of culturing, but genuine freeform freshwaters. They certainly look to be naturals.

The photo was part of a Tucson post...
Tucson - United States Pearl Co./American Shell Co.

Sure wish you were in Tucson long enough so I could see your pearls....better luck next time!

[GemGeek]

Considering that the pearls were just purchased in Tucson, these selling points are amazing:

*Up for sale is rare 30 year collection of 110 Mississippi River natural pearls.

*This collection belongs to an old pearl dealer I work with. He collected these pearls over the past 30 years.

*They sat in a safe for many years until I ran into them a couple of days ago.

They are really cool-looking in person, though.

[Pearlgully]

Originally Posted by GemGeek

Not fake. Could be a by-product of culturing, but genuine freeform freshwaters. They certainly look to be naturals.
)

Hi Blair,

When I saw the photo on e-bay last night, I honestly thought the pearls (displayed on that card) looked familiar........ and sure enough, I have seen them before. Not only on this forum, but at the gem show in Tucson.

I really do not believe these pearls are natural because: (1) at the GLDA show, Mr. Peach displayed GIA certificates for the natural pearls he was selling; (2) The natural pearls were being sold individually, not on a card; (3) Although, I do not remember the price of the pearls sold by the card, I do remember, however, that it was inexpensive (on a per pearl basis) and a good deal.

As a side note, I purchased an almost round 16mm purple pearl from U.S. Pearl. Mr. Peach said that although, he is selling it to me as cultured, he suggested I have it tested; he thought there was a possibility it might be natural. This thread reminded me that I should bring it to the GIA tomorrow. Thanks!


Gail

[GemGeek]

They certainly were memorable. They were $50.00 a pearl, $5,500 for the sheet. I'm sure the buyer made a better deal - I know I would!

Gail -- good luck with the potential natural!

EDIT: I forgot that the prices were 50% off the marked price, so that would be $2750.

[Ashley]

Such wild shapes! Oh, to be a goldsmith... I look at that card and could spend months designing brooches and pendants and earrings and... well, the list goes on

[Caitlin]

I just want to rephrase for my own benefit:

That is definitely the same card of pearls as immortalized in GemGeek's Tucson reports.

They are not natural Mississippi pearls, if they were, the Peaches would have certifications for each pearl and did have them for the naturals pearls they sell.

Therefore, they are cultured super baroques from China.

They did not sit just in a safe for years, they have been in the collection of the Peaches of US Pearl.

They were bought since GemGeek photographed them in person.

The guy telling the story to the seller is lying.

Is that about it?

Gem Geek talked to the seller who, contrary to the first person "story" he made up, is not the actual seller.

[Caitlin]

I am moving this thread to eBay Q & A forum.

[Slraep]

Don't you guys also like the way he says that unscrupulous Chinese pearl sellers do the bait and switch thing? They show you a pic of something, and then you get something else. BUT, he himself uses the SAME pics for various long strands of baroque white freshwaters he is selling! That's funny. Maddening, but funny.

Slraep

[Caitlin]

His b-s factor in the ad copy for the pearls attributed ownership and finding them to himself. Now he says he is just selling them for someone else. That's rich. What an excuse; better than the dog ate my homework. It's the "It wasn't me " defense.