Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
Senior Pearl-Guide.com Pearl Expert

Thank you!

Hi, I bought about 150 very strange pearls at the Beijing flea market, Panjiayuan. They are irregularly sized, large, irregularly shaped, and ranging from golden to gray to pinkish white. There is sort of everything in there, but dirty and strange. I like them very much and did not pay a huge amount for them, so I will be happy even if it turns out they are not pearls. I was told they are old. An archaeologist friend says they are definitely pearls, probably from around the 1980s. The guy at the flea market says they are from Fujian province.

So, I would love to find out what they are, and also how I can go about getting them drilled.

I also bought a strand of cheaper white pearls that are already drilled. They are supposed to be old too. I don't understand how the dirt gets into the crevices and then can't be brushed out.

Any help would be wonderful! I have some photos but they aren't online. Is there a way to post photos?

Thanks,

Britta

This is just a shout out to M. , the cosmetics department sales associate I chatted with today at Nordstrom, who admired my Tahitians and said she wanted to get a strand for Christmas this year. You have come to the right place for a pearl education!

Be sure to visit the Show Us Your Pearls forum, and the Tahitian forum, and feel free to post any questions you may have!

If you don't see the strand you want at the vendor's sites, use Live Chat or phone them. They generally have more pearls than are shown on their sites.

Hi! I tried to post a question twice yesterday but it hasn't shown up. Can you tell me what I'm doing wrong? Thank you!

I sent you a message!

Hi Pearl Dreams, hope this message gets to you.
I was wanting a bit of advice/inspiration/suggestion from you if you don't mind me asking:
I have an old graduated akoya strand, about 4mm to 6mm that were restrung a year or two ago, they are now too short. I'd love to know what you would do with them if they were yours?! Originally I was after some iolite beads to add to them like my reds in my avatar. I want blue as the clasp is a lovely blue sapphire (I think). I already have a lapis/fw rope so do not want lapis. I then saw that lovely rope of keshis and akoyas made by Sarah. I've been wanting to ask you for a while but keep getting distracted with other things!

You have such great taste. I love all your pieces and the photos are outstanding. A little bit of peace in a busy world - perusing your pearls!

Thank you for your message, I am trying to reply but not sure if this is the right way! I have just started a new thread where you will see why I have such a soft spot for graduated akoyas and why I always admire your treasures so much. I also love the way you bring these poor discarded beauties back to life and wear them and enjoy them. Look forward to hearing about your next find!
(I managed to post this message on my own visitor page when I actually thought I was replying to you - drrr!!)

No really. It's not just that you have retained the huge amount that you've learned (and you share it well), but that it's 100 percent accurate and not a little "fuzzy".

Look at you - giving awesome advice and posting the perfect orient photo. BRAVO!