Would appreciate your help on the pearl authencity

[Mazey]

Hello,

A friend took me to a pearl shop here in Dhaka and told me these are natural seawater pearls worth buying. I know that most of the pearls here are freshwater ones from China and I'm quite hesitant to buy (plus I'm absolutely clueless about it, too!).

I would really appreciated your kind help in telling me what they are and whether they are worth buying or not. Some feel slightly gritty to the touch, some just feel round and smooth to me. The sizes range from 15-20 mm and the prices are from 800-2000 US dollars.

Thanks again for your time. [/ATTACH]

 

[GemGeek]

You are right, they are freshwater cultured pearls from China. That is a very high price for pearls that are not round. They are not a bargain. If you fall in love with one, go ahead and buy it, but they are not in any way an investment. You are right to be concerned.

Welcome to Pearl Guide! Hang around and you will learn a lot about pearls.

 

[pattye]

Glad the pics are visible now. Good advice from GemGeek, too. Some may possibly be composite "shell pearls."

 

[GemGeek]

The last one may be one of those poor cultured pearl necklaces that is coated with gold paint. We saw some at the Hong Kong show. Tsk Tsk Tsk.

 

[pattye]

I had a pm from her to see the album she had set up when these attachments hadn't been cleared yet. I advised not to purchase.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Wow Mazey, it's a good thing you asked here before buying.

That last one really looks like a bad paint job.