Need identification of 2 strands Please

[GemGeek]

If any of them are Pterias wouldn't they fluoresce under an ultraviolet light? A cheap uv flashlight is all you need. If any of them fluoresce, red or pink, it is a sign of a pteria sterna. It certainly would rule out the akoya possibility for any florescent pearls.

Much cheaper first test than the lab. If any fluoresce, then we know those are not baroque natural blue akoyas.

If any of them floresce, I am going with Douglas, if not I stick with akoya.

Mystery pearls are the most fun!

Other pearls can fluoresce, but the darker pearls should fluoresce strongly if they originate in the Sea of Cortez. Worth a try!

 

[jewelsings]

Floresce Test Results

Floresce Test Results

Being purchased in Hawaii does not preclude their being Mexican pearls. Black pearls would have been imported into Hawaii.

Under the light they do appear to floresce - bright white dots appear throughout the pearl and a red/pink hue is on the top. I did the same test with the white pearls and they did not floresce at all....I checked the GIA pricing for appraisal and it is quite steep...not sure I want to take that chance and spend the money if these are not valuable....

 

[pattye]

How Sea of Cortez Pearls look under UV light

How Sea of Cortez Pearls look under UV light

Here is a video Douglas made about how S of C pearls fluoresce

With my strands and mabes, the whole pearls glow the intense rosy pink like the mabes shown in the video.

Note: PHOTOS ARE TAKEN IN A COMPLETELY DARK ROOM EXCEPT FOR THE UV FLASHLIGHT.

I've tried to take a photo, but it comes out a different color for some reason.

The white dots are the reflection of the tiny bulbs in the flashlight.

Here is photo taken today. The pearls on the left are blue-silver akoya.

 

[pattye]

Is this what you see with your strand? I've photoshopped this pic to be closer to what I actually view.

COMPLETELY DARK ROOM EXCEPT FOR THE UV FLASHLIGHT.

 

[Caitlin]

That is exciting! Can you put up some photos? Every single pearl in this strand needs to be evaluated to determine as much as possible.

Next, It would be neat to candle them to see if there are visible nuclei. There are threads here about candling pearls. It sometimes tells you something. And it's also free to do. Natural pearls do not have the hard edge of a bead so candling will give you more data.

There is a difference between natural and cultured pearls in value, so this strand poses interesting questions. How many are pterias? What are the other pearls in the strand? Are they natural or cultured or a mix? Should it be kept as is and redone- because it matches pretty well - or taken apart and redesigned?

 

[CathyKeshi]

Great photos, Pattye, as well as Douglas' video. Mysteries indeed. I do wonder if possibly the white dots Jewelsings are camera light reflections ... hopefully there might be a photo of the mystery pearls under the UV light? Look forward to more ...

 

[Caitlin]

GG the video says that SoC are the only ones to fluoresce that strong pink or red.... What other pearls do that and what colors? And what about those round white polka dots?

Jewelsings. Are the white spots like the ones in the video? I bet there are people on this thread who really, really want those pearls if they could see the flouresence or know they are natural as opposed to cultured. I sure do, but don't have the cash or credit, so I must settle for fun of the mystery.

 

[pattye]

These uv flashlight bulbs are the likely source of white spots.

 

[CathyKeshi]

Oh, Pattye, a photo after my own heart ... two of my favorite things in the world to collect ... really great flashlights and really beautiful pearls Settings on those pearls are especially lovely!

 

[pattye]

Cathy, you gave me a chuckle~I collect scissors, from sewing types to the tiny Swiss army knives. (In addition to beautiful pearls.) And good flashlights are wonderful!

I'd brought the Cortez pearl necklaces and mabes to show at Ruckus this year, but didn't get the opportunity. The mabes are darker and more beautiful than the photo, set in 22k gold. Carolyn Ehret used to have these pieces done in Bali.

 

[GemGeek]

Let me clarify. Fluorescence happens in many types of pearls. Douglas says that the lighter SOC pearls do not glow as much as the darker colors. When they are all flaming red, it's a good indication that they could be SOC. It isn't absolute proof. I will try to post a photo of a ring with and without the light. Very interesting and a good call from Caitlin.

 

[Caitlin]

On Douglas' video, there are bumps which turn white when the UV light is on. They didn't look like reflections. Very sharp edges.

 

[jewelsings]

More Pictures

More Pictures

On Douglas' video, there are bumps which turn white when the UV light is on. They didn't look like reflections. Very sharp edges.

The white spots appear under the light seem to be in the pearl - not a reflection of the light on top. I took several photos on 2 different white backgrounds with the florescent light...hard to get a good picture this way - I need a better camera
http://tcunite.homestead.com/3.html

 

[Caitlin]

Let's hope Douglas comes by again.

They look to me like they all fluoresced to some degree and you seem to get better at capturing it as you go. That would make handing the pearls easier if they are all the same variety. Your white spots are light reflections.

The last two photos seem to clinch the deal- as far as pearl variety goes- now we need to know about the nuclei- if any.

I came back to say something incomprehensible to most people here, but I couldn't resist-- In the uv photos they look like Lop Noors!!!!

 

[Marianne]

These are really lovely pearls, jewel sings!
Caitlin, thanks for the laugh

 

[pattye]

jewelsings, are you in a completely dark room when you are examining your pearls with the uv flashlight and taking the photos? Thank you very much for providing the additional photos.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

I came back to say something incomprehensible to most people here, but I couldn't resist-- In the uv photos they look like Lop Noors!!!!

Thank you for the chuckle - even this newcomer knows about the infamous Lop Noors!

 

[jewelsings]

Dark Room

Dark Room

jewelsings, are you in a completely dark room when you are examining your pearls with the uv flashlight and taking the photos? Thank you very much for providing the additional photos.

Yes - it was completely dark. I am going to use another camera that will take better pics in the next day or so. Thanks for all the information! I will also research how to do the next test (candling?).

 

[GemGeek]

It sounds like you are having some real fun with these pearls. As a gemologist, I can tell you that fluorescent light reflects off the surface in ways that doesn't always make sense and it might also be reflected in the layers of nacre when you are in total darkness.

I have posted a thread for you to see some photos I took at the Perlas del Mar de Cortez pearl farm in Guaymas, Mexico in 2010. (A trip that Caitlin, Hisano, Jeremy and I will never forget!)

https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9475&p=130055#post130055

 

[GemGeek]

Lop Noors! Whaaaah Hah Ha!