What kind of pearls are these and the history.

[HelenM]

Hi Pattye and thanks so much for taking time to educate me.
One thing I know is I am a terrible picture taker so I will ask my friend to come in and redo photos.Here is some of the information that I was able to gather.
The necklace has 8 strands and is 45mm (18inches) long
Each pearl appears to be roughly 2.5 mm wide and are not perfectly round.There are approx 138 pearls and 4 gold balls on each strand.
On the clasp there are 16 tiny diamonds and the clasp has a hook to click on as well to protect the clasp from coming apart.The clasp has 14K585 imprinted on it.I have no pictures of anyone wearing it and have no idea as to when my Grandmother acquired it.I did the teeth rub test and definitely gritty compared to others I have that are smooth.I will post some more pictures and hopefully tomorrow my friend will help me out with more.
Oh I have so much to learn.
Helen

[HelenM]

My Grandma's family was well to do before Communism.After that they led a very simplified life.I have other pcs of jewellery that are quite unique and genuine but this I don't know.There is no one on my Mother's side to ask.The only other thing I can think of is my aunt was well to do in New York and possibly could have gifted this necklace to my Grandmother.My mom inherited this in the mid 80's early 90's.Sorry I wish I could tell you more.The colour is creamy not bright white.This is one of those, when is a pearl, a pearl and what kind mysteries.Thanks so much for everyone's help and questions.
I really came to the right place and am so fortunate that there are so many knowledgeable people to guide me.
Helen

[HelenM]

Lisa thank you.Well I took more pictures and not happy with them.I could not take a good picture of a single pearl.Blurred, out of focus.Inside outside didn't matter.And looking for the flower on my camera well I could have planted them faster with better success.Still can't find the flower.I took 50 different shots and got maybe 10 decent ones.You can see they are pearls right?Just kidding.Spent hours on this so I am calling on my friend to come see what she can do with her camera.
Appreciate the advice and I know when I am over my head.:}

[HelenM]

I hope I answered all your questions at least what I do know which I am afraid is not much.Hopefully with everyone's help we can narrow it down.
Thank you again.
Helen

[HelenM]

Hi Dave,
I have answered what I can answer but I would love to know either way what this necklace is.I had no idea before coming here there are all these different types,shapes,sizes,colours and more.I am in in awe right now and on pearl overload.I have always loved the look of pearls so this is an exciting journey.
Appreciate all your help.

[pattye]

Biwa certainly crossed my mind as a possibility. Perhaps more likely even than naturals~

[lisa c]

Helen, you did really well! Seriously! and got the giggles with your planting of the flowers remark!

I thought they were a little too round for Biwa, but that's because I've only seen flatter ones. I figured with Sarah and the Volls and opening the safe, and a lot of Biwa-wallowing, that she could give us a Maybe or rule that out. I just haven't seen enough pearls...

Do we know anyone in Ontario, Blaire?

[HelenM]

Hi Lisa, What does that mean exactly.I am new to this so Biwa doesn't mean anything to me yet.Is this good news,I looked up some information on Biwa and it didn't sound so good,Maybe in the wrong web site.I hope the experts can shed more light on this and give me some directions cause I sure am lost.LOL Help

[lisa c]

Not a thing wrong with Biwa! They're a special pearl, cultivated in a lake in Japan called Lake Biwa, which eventually became so polluted that the molluscs that produced the pearls couldn't thrive. Because of that, and a big die off, the lake isnt producing anymore, so the Biwa pearls that exist are valued.

However, the Chinese took the mollusc that produced this kind of pearl and started cultivating it in freshwater lakes in China, and they produce pearls, soooo...

If you've got provenance (proof that the pearls actually came from Lake Biwa), you've got a niche market. Without that provenance, you've got a pretty freshwater pearl. Nothing wrong with that, either!

Another thing we're dancing around is whether your pearls could be natural, meaning they were grown without any help from humans, ie not cultivated. Natural pearls are rare, and expensive, sometimes very expensive and have a sort of reverence associated with them in some circles.

I'm going to suggest you go over to www.kojimapearls.com. Sarah has a blog and she recently posted about a cache of Biwa pearls that were unearthed in a pearling family vault. I'm going over there to look at those Biwas again.

Or, we could go up to the search button at the top of the page and searchBiwa and see if Sarah's recent post pops up fast...

[Adeline Leigh]

I'm in love with the enhancer/ focal bit part of the necklace. The styling resembles 50s-60s jewellery of which I own a couple of pieces. I couldnt tell you more than that really as I am no expert. Hopefully more experts will chime in on this one but it's a treasure.

[lisa c]

Ok, I tried the search button for Biwas, and while educational, I think you should go to KojimaPearl website first, read Sarah's blog, then come back to pearl guides Biwa threads.

[HelenM]

You are awesome Lisa.I will pop over there tomorrow.I have been looking at the different posts and have been feasting on the information available on this site.There is so so much.I think I found true love.I am loving the different images and who knew pearls were this fascinating..If I saw those natural pearls I would have thought them fake as I thought all pearls were round.Unfortunately I have to work tomorrow or I would be up all night reading and lurking.Thank you so much again.I will be just happy to know what these are and the bonus is all these wonderful knowledgeable people who jumped in to help me.Big hugs coming your way

[lisa c]

I'm glad I caught you! Go to May 2, 2011 on Sarah's blog at the KojimaPearls website. That's where she starts talking about the "forgotten" safe and Biwas. I'm headed back there now.

[HelenM]

Thank you for adding your bits.I think it looks like the 50's as well.Elegant and refined,I fell in love with it for sure now that I own it and that's what made me come to you all for help,opinions and knowledge.I always am interested in the history of most things.I am not sure but it feels magical when I hold it my hand.Odd yes but feels safe and reassuring somehow.I promise I am not a kook.LOL Will check out your Etsy shop tomorrow Adeline.

[lisa c]

Thanks, I'll take those hugs! Tell me about being up all night reading on Pearl Guide!!! I love this place and these people - welcome aboard!