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Funny you should mention that. I have one -- it's Edwardian, when such lengths were worn.

If I had this necklace in hand, and could not find any indication of MOP beads using a loupe, I would definitely have it tested! In your photos, the pearls do not look like baroque Akoyas. The...

The necklace definitely looks like high-quality Akoya pearls, with a really exceptional clasp. It's very rare to see the double hook and extra lock. The stones are almost certainly diamonds (easily...

That is a great size -- wish I could find some like that!

I think it is good you have a local buyer. From what I've seen there is more respect for natural pearls in India and the Middle East --...

I am curious to know, what is the size of the largest pearl? You can get a good estimate just by using a ruler.

I think $50,000 is a fair price from a dealer, if the payment is immediate and the...

I recommend either Hagerty Pearl Clean, or go to www.pearldoctor.com (I have no association with either company). You might be able to find the Hagerty products at an Ace Hardware, or similar store....

Perhaps when dealing with loose, recently harvested pearls, you may be able to get that information. But I can assure you, it's totally unrealistic for the antiques market. Too often, when someone...

With a cert, and close examination, you don't need to know exactly when or where these pearls were retrieved, or who first sold them, etc. Everything I deal with is at least vintage, and I can tell...

If your necklace weighs 150 carats, that is 30 grams -- a VERY substantial weight, and the 59 pearls must be of good size! There is already one reply from an Indian dealer above, and I know there...

Karin, yes! I consider it to be a cross between a treasure hunt and a rescue mission. I hope to have some more items to post in a few weeks.

Another recent find -- a platinum and diamond ring with a large natural freshwater button pearl!

The ring dates to the 1910s-1920s, and the pearl is original to it. I love the simple setting that...

This is a beautiful pair of late 19th century earrings with natural pearls.

The pearls are undrilled, white and very round. At first glance they might be dismissed as later cultured pearls, but...

If the lens is hot, do not put pearls directly on it! Heat is the enemy of pearls.

Thanks for posting more photos! I strongly believe these are Akoya pearls, and you could be spending hundreds of dollars needlessly to have them x-rayed.

The pearls appear solidly opaque, and...

The rules are that you can use the word 'genuine' with cultured pearls, but never natural -- unless it directly modifies the color term. So, 'natural pink pearls' legally means something entirely...

I don't think that's unusual at all. In the photos, I can see rounds, off-rounds, and various button types. Natural pearls can be any of these; I think there is a misconception that they only come...

Totally real, and exquisite! The pearls used by Faberge would have been the best available. Beginning in 1893, Mikimoto was marketing half-pearls. I think the patent date for spherical pearls was...

Caitlin, that is an intriguing angle that never occurred to me. But in this case I think it was more like "aspiring scam artist gets in over head." After the phony (or cancelled) sale, the necklace...

It depends what your personal threshold for insurance would be. If they are nice cultured pearls -- and the clasp certainly has value -- maybe insure for $2,000? I think that is probably higher...

Only sometimes will you get a readable result from a dental x-ray. Generally, the resolution is not fine enough; but it certainly wouldn't hurt to try if it's inexpensive. I just read an older post...

InheritedPearl, it won't be done the same day and you won't get a copy of the x-ray. The results will be communicated by phone or email and you'll get a number which can be used to order a...

For a full evaluation with x-ray, it could not be done on the spot.

As for the eBay link you cited -- that listing and supposed sale was a complete and total fraud. I know, because I queried the...

Everything considered, the greatest likelihood (i.e., 99.9%) is that they are cultured pearls. If the clasp is original, it is consonant with good cultured pearls of the period. A triple strand of...

Thanks for bumping this one up! I've read through tons of old posts but never encountered these. Caitlin, it's a fascinating family history, and so glad to know that you still have at least some of...

Hi Jodie,

Just now saw this thread. I deal in antique/vintage jewelry. Your necklace is beautiful, and the price was excellent! It definitely appears to be solid 14K gold. I believe it is...