Is this, could this be a Abalone Pearl?

[Bodecia]

Hello all,

Just wondered what the experts might say about this Hat Pin/Stick Pin. It has this dark, needs cleaning, pearl in it and to me, especially from the side it looks like it might just be a natural Abalone pearl.

Right kind of shape, right kind of colour but as I don't have it in my hot little hands yet I thought I would get some opinions.

Thanks All.

Dawn - Bodecia
http://stores.ebay.com/Dawns-Designer-Collections
Natural pearl collector and all round pearl lover

[pearlescence]

I'd say just a black cfw stick pearl

[Josh]

The optimist in me says "for sure an ab pearl!" Wendy could be right though. The older it is the better the chances of it being an ab pearl.

[kojimapearl]

Judging from the setting I would go with Abalone pearl.. but that is admittedly a leap. It's hard to tell from the photo.. but it appears that they covered the back for a reason, I think I see that crusty brown surface that some Abalone pearls have on the profile photo.

[Bodecia]

Thank you all.

Sarah that is what I see. The crusty back of an Abalone pearl. Being an optimist though I tend to see what I want to see But still I am hoping it is a Abalone. I should not think that anyone would both sticking a coloured fw pearl in an old hat pin.

Josh - thank you too and would you mind having a look at my other post regarding the Tahitian necklace and telling me what you think. Could you also tell me what a fair price would be to pay for it.

Wendy, I am hoping you are wrong but time will tell.

Dawn - Bodecia
http://stores.ebay.com/Dawns-Designer-Collections
Natural pearl collector and all round pearl lover

[Caitlin]

Bo
That is so dark for abalone. But I admire your eye! That is a great pearl! I hope you get it!

[la_corsetiere]

If you look at the color of the gold in the photo, the whole picture looks a little dark...given the shape, luster, apparent crustiness on the back, setting, and color, it does look like an abalone to me. Definitely looks like an older setting style.

[Bodecia]

Hi again,

Thanks Caitlin, I didn't let the grass grow under my feet though and it should be on its way to me.

la_corsetiere, You are absolutely right the gold looks too dark for what is 9kt to 12kt . Just can't remember right now. I lightened the photo up and it looks more the colour of abalone. I think they still come this dark colour but it is less appealing when so dark.


Dawn - Bodecia
http://stores.ebay.com/Dawns-Designer-Collections
Natural pearl collector and all round pearl lover

[Caitlin]

I can hardly wait until you take the photos! Great score!!!!

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Nice pearl!

Many of the abalone pearls are formed in mantle perforations as opposed to the horn shapes we've seen in the hepatopancreas. The brown conchiolin is very often present on the interior surface of the mantle cavity, while the nacreous portion is next to the shell.

[GemGeek]

I'm 70% for abalone. It's the darkness that makes me doubt, but if it's just a dark photo... Good Luck!

[mausketeer]

Dawn, just like the pink pearl stickpin I bought (which I have since LOST - I think it got caught on my poncho.... dammit!!!!) I suspected mine was a natural pearl because of a few additional factors - stickpins are NOT popular anymore and so it would probably be older (they were last in style in the 1980's and we can certainly tell if it's THAT old at least just by looking at it). The fact that the setting is obviously made to fit the pearl itself and that the pearl was not added to the setting. Thirdly, why would somone go to all the bother/trouble/expense to do all that for a simple, cheap, freshwater pearl? Makes no sense, right?....... so yeah, even for those reasons alone I'd think abalone too (just like I thought my pink pearl was probably natural rather than freshwater too). Wish I'd taken photos of it before I lost it! The back was very well done..... had a nice little detail on it......

- Jodie -

[Bodecia]

Okay, my stick pin arrived and I have some photos for you to lust over. Well, at least I do hope some of you will lust over them. Not as much fun if you don't

My opinion. A win - Abalone Pearl. Give me your thoughts. Some of the photos are still a little dark and a couple blurred but I think between them all it should give a good idea of the colour.

I bought a couple of small abalone pearls from Antz to put in a ring. I will put those up when they are added to the old antique pearl ring

Antz - about time you told us some more about how your sales are going. I am sure there are others that want more at reasonable prices and not like they went before. Not that being it Australia it did me any good.


Dawn - Bodecia
http://stores.ebay.com/Dawns-Designer-Collections
Natural pearl collector and all round pearl lover

[Bodecia]

Jodie, I didn't see your post before. That would have been heart-breaking for you. What do you think it was. I have a natural pink pearl which I think is a from Bahrain - but not sure where it is from. That is now in a ring but must have been in a pendant earlier in its life. A hole drilled on the side. But I don't mind, it is still beautiful. Could your pink pearl have been a pink conch - do you remember what it looked like or have you blanked it from your mind.

So sorry for you. Losing pearls or any jewellery is the pits.

Dawn - Bodecia
http://stores.ebay.com/Dawns-Designer-Collections
Natural pearl collector and all round pearl lover

[Caitlin]

Can you ease it on out of its setting? I'd LOVE to see the back.