63 inches of Pearls - think Akoya????

[Bodecia]

Hi all,

Sorry I haven't been around again for a while. So much to catch up on but thought I would ask for opinions on this necklace. Long pearl necklace.

There is 63 inches of 7 to 7.5 mm pearls. The owner thought they were natural but I doubt it. They look like akoyas to me so thought I would ask for opinions.

They were valued at around $3500 10 years ago. But of course that is just a valuation for finding and replacing and is from a jewellers not a pearl expert or gemmologist from the look of it.

Photos are reasonable but not as close up as I would like. Still think you should get good idea of what they are and possibly a value for sale not replacement.

I don't have them so can't examine them but might be able to get better photos.

Dawn

[jshepherd]

It's good to see you back, Bodecia!

From the picture, they look like beads, not pearls. Are there any better photos?

[Bodecia]

Thanks Jeremy,

I thought I uploaded another photo. So will try again. They aren't very good photos and I have asked for better.

Dawn

It's good to see you back, Bodecia!

From the picture, they look like beads, not pearls. Are there any better photos?

[Bodecia]

Hi, I do think from the photos that they are Akoya. But I had to size them down and they weren't the best to start with. I can see wear spots with more nacre underneath and I do believe this lady is telling the truth as she knows it.

They were here great, great aunts and old when she got them - from her. I am trying to help her at the moment. She had hoped for $1000 but in my opinion the most she can hope for is around $500 to $600. Even with the valuation. Thing is that is just a valuation and we all know they are inflated so a jeweller can find the same thing, allow for time etc. finding same etc. etc.

I know of one jeweller who bought a strand of pearls from a friend of mine and paid $1000 because the pearls had been valued at $5000 or so. The jeweller made a fortune on this purchase so it just goes to show what valuations mean. Zilch.

Not meant to offend any jewellers out there ikkkkk - me and my big mouth.

Dawn

[pattye]

Hi Dawn,

Good to have you check in. For me, it is difficult to evaluate the pearls when they are piled up like that. Difficult to see roundness, and variations. Certainly they are in the akoya range for size. Also can't see condition of nacre around the drill holes. So difficult to evaluate when they aren't in hand--------and I'm guessing a continuous strand since no clasp is shown. As we know, the clasp can add to the value. So if you consider of the value of 3-20 inch strands, these pearls would need to be in very good condition to bring $500-600.

No, I don't think your remark will offend anyone, as most realize the retail value of items (based on appraisal) is very different than what one can sell them for.

Just my opinion--

[Bodecia]

Hi Pattye,

Thanks so much, you have confirmed my opinion of the pearls. I too am sure they are Akoya of reasonable and probably thick nacre. But value, yes I agree with you of the amount they could reasonably expect to get. Actually I recently emailed them and said that I would expect between $400 and $600 so pretty close to your opinion. I got the people to heap them up like that for the photos because most people cannot take a decent photo and at least if they are piled up you can get a decent idea of pearls in a smaller photo.

I am going to advise them how to sell them on eBay as they are total newbies and have no idea how to do it. In actual fact they have already listed and sold them to me hah. But for $200 and they were terribly upset that they didn't get more so I have agreed to cancel the transaction and advising them how to re-list. I really don't need them and I believe they could get double what I bid for them quite easily. I think even Cash Converters would pay that.

I was once in a Cash Converters store chatting with a friend about Lizards, what else as I had given him some barking gekkos and a lady came in selling some pearls. Naturally I shut up and listened and she actually got a reasonable price for what were very average FW pearls, double strand on a 14k clasp. She got $80USD from what I remember but I would not have paid above $30 or $40. Just goes to show that Cash Converters don't know what they are looking at and if it has a gold clasp they pay more - Hah.

I have a strand nearly as long but much bigger baroques Akoya's and when I get around to it will list them in my shop for $600 ono. But then I have a thing for baroque pearls. We all have our little loves and dislikes with pearls. They are a very personal thing and we either love them or hate individual strands, or is it the price on them.

It is funny I really prefer pearls heaped up like that and always in my ebay listings add at least one or two photos heaped. But that is just me, of course. But I list photos are large as computer possible so that people can enlarge many times. I think I have a photo of them layed out and will list it if I can find it. I have one messy computer or is it one messy mind

Hope you are well and enjoying your pearls. I am sure you are.

Bye for now, Dawn

http://my.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...e=STRK:ME:LNLK

[Mka4972]

I'm with Jeremy on this.

[pattye]

Meant that for evaluating the pearls as to shape, color, I like to see a photo of them laid out flat also! Otherwise, the pile of pearls is very appealing. Obviously when selling, it is good to include many photos as possible so the buyer has a clear idea of what they are bidding on or purchasing, especially when items are in the $100's.

You do an excellent job with your ebay listings, and I do visit your store several times a month----

I have sold a few items on ebay, but listed only non jewelry only so far.

That is very kind of you to help these people out.

[Caitlin]

Hi Dawn!
Just wanted to say I put your store on my list of favorites along time ago. You have good stuff at good prices and your knowledge is better than the vast majority of eBay pearl sellers. Keep up the good work.

You need to handle those in person to know, but when both Jeremy and mka say faux, I'd have to rule that out before making any kind of claims. Bless your dear heart for trying to help, though.

[Bodecia]

Thanks so very much Caitlin,

Your opinion means a lot to me. To anyone who knows you and your knowledge. I do my best and I guess that is the best any of us can do.

I do hope that I am correct in thinking they are Akoya. I am sure the sellers are being honest but them I am so bloody trusting I have been ripped off before now.

But still I am sure they are real. Will let you know and get far better photos. If they want my help they will accept my conditions and this is one that I did ask for.

If I am wrong and they are being dishonest then I had better give up on trusting people.

Dawn
http://my.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...e=STRK:ME:LNLK

Hi Dawn!
Just wanted to say I put your store on my list of favorites along time ago. You have good stuff at good prices and your knowledge is better than the vast majority of eBay pearl sellers. Keep up the good work.

[GemGeek]

If they are simulants, it isn't always obvious, especially to newbies. It's the uniformity of color that makes me wonder...

[Bodecia]

Thanks so very much Caitlin,

For putting me on your favourites list and your sincere compliments/opinions. They are truly appreciated.

By getting the sellers of these pearls to send me as many possible photos as possible I hope to be able to valuate properly. I still
believe they are the real thing but must make sure before helping them any further.

I will not be a party to fraud of any kind but I truly don't believe this is the case here.

Thanks regarding my store. I have so many pieces to list and even more to string up that are store in my brain.

Thanks again, Dawn

Hi Dawn!
Just wanted to say I put your store on my list of favorites along time ago. You have good stuff at good prices and your knowledge is better than the vast majority of eBay pearl sellers. Keep up the good work.

You need to handle those in person to know, but when both Jeremy and mka say faux, I'd have to rule that out before making any kind of claims. Bless your dear heart for trying to help, though.

[Caitlin]

I do not think fraud for a second, I think they may be victims of Family Lore Syndrome. Very common malady, especially with pearls. Several people have sent me "real pearls" they got from family with a story, that were plastic . There have been a few posted here, too. So many pearl laymen honestly do not know what they have.

[jas932]

Hi Dawn -

my gut reaction to the photos is also 'bead' and not pearl. The color and luster is too even, the drill holes too big, the surface is too smooth and clean, etc.

I too have had people bring me 'family pearls' that are only 'family plastic beads'. Not easy to break the news to them that Auntie's Miki's are only plastic.

julie.

[Bernadette]

They look to like simulated pearls, not the shell base kind but the glass bead with the fish scale coating variety.