Desdemona, I can't answer your PM

[Caitlin]

I am so sorry you are having trouble signing up. I could not find that username in my database. Did you use another name the second time? Let me know with another PM

This is the first PM and I can't send the answer back because you aren't in the database

Hi. I am a total pearl newbie and found the forum but have not been confirmed by some administrator, I've been waiting days, the first time didn't work so I re-registered. I saw the photo of the shimmery grey/silver pearl you use with your postings. WHAT IS THAT? I have a ring with a 17 mm pearl similar to yours that I cannot identify. It is from an estate, and I sell on consignment on eBay for antique dealers and some of them don't know pearls from a hole in the ground. I want to be accurate in my listing. My pearl is almost the same color as yours, but the head sticks up more, and it's 17 mm in size. I have photos but don't know how to post them. can you help? Michele

[Caitlin]

My Pearl is a Sea of Cortez mabe. Is yours round or hemispherical? I think 17mm is too large for Sea of Cortez, so maybe it is from pinctada margaretifera, a Tahitian pearl which commonly comes in silver shades. Or perhaps even a pinctade maxima, the South Sea pearl.

[la_corsetiere]

My Pearl is a Sea of Cortez mabe. Is yours round or hemispherical? I think 17mm is too large for Sea of Cortez, so maybe it is from pinctada margaretifera, a Tahitian pearl which commonly comes in silver shades. Or perhaps even a pinctade maxima, the South Sea pearl.

Or possibly a dyed mabe?

[Caitlin]

Well, yes, Sheri, some of the largest mabe are faux. Good to point that out. There are easy ways to tell.

Desdemona If you read this, let's finish getting you registered!

[CortezPearls]

To Quote: "I want to be accurate in my listing. My pearl is almost the same color as yours, but the head sticks up more, and it's 17 mm in size. I have photos but don't know how to post them. can you help? Michele"

Well, we would really need the photos to help you Michele. I just don't understand what you mean by the pearl having "a head (that) sticks up more".