Indonesian Natural Pearls

[Cees]

I am not sure at all that these are fresh waters, to me look like oval South Sea's as in the islands Halmahera, Kei, Banda, Aru,etc there are many south sea pearl farms. The islanders not even have money to buy Chinese fresh waters there, so why bring them there. Tourists have not discovered these islands in big quantities like Bali, Lombok, where u can find fresh water pearls from China.

They look ovals to me and the size should be around 10 -12 mm. Dianne mentioned colors which can confuse like peach, but the overtone pink in white of course possible.
They are of course not natural but cultured and the people she bought them from are possible fishermen who bought these from pearl farm staff. Most of these pearls end up in Jakarta, Surabaya or Lombok/Bali and are mostly bought by Chinese-Indonesian business people

[Bodecia]

Cees,

It would be wonderful if they were South Sea pearls but truly I believe, as most seem to here on the pearl-forum, the are certainly freshwater pearls.

I am sure as you pointed out that most of the islanders would not have the money to buy even these freshwater pearls but they probably did not and are mostly likely paid to sell for someone else from the main islands. These sellers probably carry pearls everywhere with them on the off chance of meeting someone who knows little about pearls and is gulliable enough to believe that they have just fished up the mollusks themselves from off one of the thousands of islands . They probably make little per pearl themselves but then if they do not have to outlay any dollars and sell a lot of these

naturals

then they are probably more than happy.

Most tourists would fall into this cateogory. For instance as I mentioned in another thread a woman who (whom?)) works in a jewellery shop in the town near me insisted she had bought a totally natural, nearly one inch pearl from local fishermen near Bali.

I think pearl-farm staff would be in danger of losing hands if they dared to sell SS pearls themselves to tourists or anyone else. If the

possible fishermen

could not afford Freshwater pearls how could they possibly buy these from pearl-farm staff ...

They look and given every appearance of being Freshwater pearls from China. Nice pearls but not Saltwater pearls and not South Sea pearls.

Sorry.


Dawn - Bodecia
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 - natural pearl collector and all round pearl lover.

[Bodecia]

Cees and others,

I did not intend to have huge quotes as those that have appeared on my reply. Talk about overstating something.


Dawn - Bodecia
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 - natural pearl collector and all round pearl lover.

[Cees]

Dear Dawn,

I asked Dianne to send me some more pics and from her new pics I could now clearly see they are fresh waters and enchanted as well.

[tango jhaveri]

to me the pearls look freshwater culture..going by the pics...the shape and color along with luster suggest that..
its impossible to find so many violet and pink color natural pearls as they would it self be worth millions then..
natural pearls cannot have so good shape..i agree there can be a few pearls but this entire lot with one shade one shape..its impossible to be natural..
so i would not waste money on getting them tested..

[tango jhaveri]

anyone has natural pearl necklaces..pearl sizes 10mm to 4mm...can email me..look forward to get replies..

[Agustus-Collection]

Dear Dianne,

from our many many years of experience, there are no such pearls either cultured or naturally grown from Halmahera Islands, even if they would, not in such an high amount ( you said 3kg? ). However, the golden and champagne could be Keshi Pearls, Maluku is know for good quality Keshis also in round and drop shapes, however they would have been cultured.

The pinkish ones are pretty sure freshwater pearls.

Local Fisherman usually get plastic bags full of freshwater pearls from the farms and try to sell them as natural self harvested pearls.

If you want to make sure, send on of the pearls to GIA to get them tested.

Good Luck!

Sven

[pearlescence]

Hi.
The colours of the pearls are natural freshwater colours and from your one photo that is what they are.
Are the pearls drilled - undrilled in fact puts the price up a bit. Perhaps $3-400 per kilo depending on size and grade

[kartik master]

Hi Dianne,
From the picture it looks like definately fresh water pearls as natural pearls are rare to find.

[mmutiara]

so what happened finally? did she send the pearls for testing? i guess we never find out.....

[pattye]

Well, with so many people experienced in evaluating pearls agreeing these are cultured pearls, she probably decided she wouldn't spend the money to have them tested.