Are these really Tahitian half rounds?

[mtaylor383]

I stumbled upon these in a large box of old vintage estate beads that had been taken from necklaces and they just popped out at me...so Ive been doing lots of research and they match right up with tahitians- the gold ones however, I wasnt sure about...Does anyone have any input? Thanks

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Not the best pictures for identification, but let's start with what I can see.

They are off-round, not half round. The gold are rollers and the blacks are both rollers and spinners, terms that come from how they behave on an inclined glass surface.

They all appear to have nuclei, so likely cultured pearls (as opposed to faux).

I'm hesitant to suggest either Tahitian or South Sea for a few reasons. Although the circles around the holes of the black ones are white, they give a first impression of being dyed freshwater pearls, or at the very least lower quality than the dazzling peacock hues we normally see in pearls from the atolls.

The gold ones appear to have gold rings around the drill holes and are just too dark and uniform to be authentic SS pearls, lest they'd be every expensive.

I'd need to examine these much closer to be certain, because otherwise that's just my best guess.

[Caitlin]

Freshwater pearls? I don't see nuclei. Those are typical shapes and rings seen on no other kind of pearls.

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

I don't see nuclei.

I don't either, but I do see a noticeable round area on each one, with some elongation to one side.

[Caitlin]

Yes. those are typical commercial grade cultured Chinese freshwater pearls used for fashionable work necklaces. Every single shape is intimately familiar to me as I have worked with many pearls like this.

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Yes. those are typical commercial grade cultured Chinese freshwater pearls used for fashionable work necklaces.

Yes, the shapes are good, but the colors just don't seem right to be ocean pearls. Besides that, it's doesn't stand to reason how nice SS would be simply lumped in with a "large box" of beads.

[jshepherd]

They are pearls, but not Tahitians. I agree that they are color-treated freshwater.

[Kevin Canning]

Freshwater pearls? I don't see nuclei. Those are typical shapes and rings seen on no other kind of pearls.

I agree with Caitlin, no way they are Tahitian or SS

[mtaylor383]

Thanks for all of your replies, they are greatly appreciated....and what is SS

[Alex]

SS I think, is South Sea

[Ash]

I agree with the others. They look like fresh water pearls to my eyes. Definitely Not Tahitian or South Seas (SS)


I also see "off round" shaped pearls with many of what I would call "drop" shaped. Many of those are "top drilled". I also see a couple "rice" shaped Pearls not many only a couple in this fun mix of shapes.

Cheers
Ash

[jshepherd]

I agree with the others. They look like fresh water pearls to my eyes. Definitely Not Tahitian or South Seas (SS)


I also see "off round" shaped pearls with many of what I would call "drop" shaped. Many of those are "top drilled". I also see a couple "rice" shaped Pearls not many only a couple in this fun mix of shapes.

Cheers
Ash

Exactly right!

[Caitlin]

They obviously came off of "fashion jewelry" pieces. For one thing, they were never knotted or if they were, care was taken to dispose of every trace of the knotting material and there is nothing to be gained by doing that, so the strands were already broken. Fashion necklaces are never knotted and they are often strung on wire instead, as so many of us crafty types know so well. This kind of jewelry may have cost around $100 bucks if you bought it from a department store, or a boutique, but the pearls cost mere dollars a strands. Maybe $2-3 a strand- even if the original piece was made in the US. Those are cheap, cheap pearls!