What do you guys think?

[olivia24]

Hi everyone, I am new to this website. I've always loved pearls and recently discovered how fascinating they were. This site has provided so much great information! Anyway, I just (as in two days ago, so it has not arrived yet) won a bid on Ebay for a pearl necklace, and I was wondering what your honest thoughts are about it. I paid $85 + s/h for it. It was advertised as a genuine vintage strand of saltwater pearls, graduated from 3 to 7mm with a 14k white gold clasp. 17 1/2 inches long. The seller was able to tell me how she knew the difference between saltwater and freshwater, but this was her only pearl or jewelry related item so I don't know how much she knows, but this scenario seemed preferable to me from the Pearl Society and other mass-produced sellers with starting bids of $.01. The seller has over a 99% positive feedback rate so I am hoping all turns out well, but I know it can be iffy buying on ebay.

I'm just wondering what the thoughts would be of anyone who actually knows their 2 cents about pearls, since I know nothing. I also VERY rarely go on Ebay, so I am a novice there. Anyway, I am not expecting to get a relic here, I just want a pretty pearl necklace for daily wear, and I'm curious what you guys might notice. I attached the photos that were listed at auction, but I had to rotate them sideways for the file size to fit. Thanks guys!

 

[jshepherd]

If the strand is genuine, you scored. The graduation of the strand dates it to post WWII, GI homecoming pearls. This is not to say it could not be a more recent strand, but if it is an older strand, and the pearls are real, it is most likely a vintage akoya.

How about the clasp. Are there any hallmarks?

 

[olivia24]

Thanks for your reply! I haven't received the pearls yet, but the seller said there were no marks on the clasp other than 14k. If it is indeed genuine, what do you think it's worth? I was also wondering if a graduation like this considered undesirable? I've been looking at a lot of pearl websites lately and found it almost impossible to find a graduated strand. Personally I like the graduated look a lot, so I'm curious why it's harder to find than a matched strand.

 

[olivia24]

Well, just to update, they are indeed real pearls. A little creamy in color but pretty nonetheless. Anyway, I'm happy.

 

[Cathybear]

Graduated Strand

Graduated Strand

This week I had some pearls delivered; one lot, a hank of five were graduated from 5mm to 10-11mm. To modernise them they were in three colours. Maybe they're coming back!! Heres a pic of the first one:
Cathy

 

[PearlFinderCharles]

I have loads of strung "Pearls". Be careful. Yours look a little like this..This is not real.

PearlFinderCharles

 

[pattye]

Hi Olivia and Cathybear,

I love graduated pearls and gem necklaces. They are very hard to find, though, as you have noticed!

Good job on the ebay buy, Olivia, tough to do. As you read the forums here you will understand why!

Cathybear, Lovely strand , looked at your website, too, very, very nice! The pearls look terrific photographed on sand. I think you will do well with the graduated. I made a few pieces earlier this year with the multicolor for a benefit and they were popular, however they weren't graduated.

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

 

[Caitlin]

HI Cathybear
I enjoyed your site- Very well done. You do obviously know your pearls. I like silver findings, but I would skip rolled gold or gold filled pieces. How much would it really add to your bottom line to do gold? Then you have a choice of silver, yellow or white gold.The fish hook clasps in gold are not very expensive.

I am just saying that because your presentation is so classy. I am going to save it to my favorites just so I can watch the slideshow!

 

[Cathybear]

Thank you

Thank you

Wow! Thank you Caitlin and Pattye. I just remembered my web site address was on as my signature and was half expecting criticism lol.
I'm learning. I read whatever I can find, but handling many different fwp has probably taught me almost as much. I mostly buy from the same man (on ebay, ducking!) as I understand his grading system, but I still sometimes get an A hank that's very good, or an AA hank that's rubbish. On the other hand some he classes as AA are fantastic. When he has what he calls AAA I BUY!! I love buying multiple strands (hanks). When I started I didn't even SEE the A's lol.
My 14 year old son made my web site, and he did a lovely job. Did you see the 'enlarge text' for those of us over 50?
I would love to use solid gold, but so far its price per inch defeats me, but one day maybe I can )
Cathy

 

[Valeria101]

...graduated from 5mm to 10-11mm. To ...in three colours.

Delicious!

And what do you mean 'maybe they are comming back' ?

 

[Cathybear]

Delicious!

And what do you mean 'maybe they are comming back' ?

Just that I don't often see much graduation in the pearls I've seen around now (loose) and quoting Jeremy "The graduation of the strand dates it to post WWII, GI homecoming pearls."
Usually I see a slight difference in size but not to this degree. I strung a strand this morning from another supplier that has apparent graduation, though nowhere near as extreme as the ones in the photo I posted.

 

[Valeria101]

Just that I don't often see much graduation in the pearls I've seen around now ...

Hm... wonder if these are not wanted or simply not there.

LINK

Those graduated strands are so much better fitted to the human anatomy - especially the multiple strands

 

[Raisondetre]

Love your work, Cathybear. I live in Australia too so postage will not be a big problem at all. I'm just having a look through all the pages and am looking forward to some of the more unusual freshwater strands.

 

[Cathybear]

Thank you Raisondetre, though its more the pearls than my work that looks good. They just can't help it! lol

 

[Cathybear]

I I like silver findings, but I would skip rolled gold or gold filled pieces. How much would it really add to your bottom line to do gold? Then you have a choice of silver, yellow or white gold.The fish hook clasps in gold are not very expensive.

I'm really liking making the hook and eye clasps, plus they're not fiddly to do up and undo; have you ever worked with solid gold wire Caitlin? I like 16 gauge, but apart from the price per inch, it will probably behave differently from sterling silver and rolled gold. Any tips?
Cathy

 

[Raisondetre]

I love some of the more custom handmade clasps - the pewter dragonfly one in particular catches my attention but most of those pieces have been sold already. The ones that are left with the clasp have pearls with similar shape/coloration I already bought last time with the freshwater baroques from PP. I still can't get over how amazing those are.

PS: In case anyone found it strange, yes, apart from a dolphin fetish I also collect butterfly and dragonfly accessories ...

 

[Cathybear]

I still have one of those pewter dragonfly clasps left plus I have two big ones, but if you want loose ones I think I bought them at Aunties Beads in the US http://www.auntiesbeads.com/Category.aspx?ID=a5eab720-7258-4336-b275-5ddd41328a51 and I think I saw them at Over The Rainbow in Melbourne http://www.polymerclay.com.au/clasps-toggle-hook-clasps-c-36_55_205.html

Sorry, I don't know how do do links on here

 

[Cathybear]

Um, I guess I can do links lol

 

[Raisondetre]

I have my eye on a few of the baroque strands but those are already strung with silver beads in between with a silver clasp or have a gold clasp that seems to go very well with the coloration. If I find a lavender strand that can go with the dragonfly clasp are you happy to do a custom strand? I think I'll just order the two I liked tomorrow morning, after I check my bank account. Too many pearl purchases!

Never mind, I'll PM you.

 

[Valeria101]

I'm really liking making the hook and eye clasps...

Funny you should mention. Went this morning over some old things and found an old one... always liked the closure, I suppose, just forgot about it. The camera doesn't cooperate, but the description is real' simple: it is a short chain with (relatively very) large loops ending in a round weight, and a hook that is supposed to go into any of the loops of the chain to accommodate the wearer's whim. The weight balances the necklace nicely. It a choker.

I have seen this type of closure once more on a modern gold necklace, but without the weight. I think it needs something at the end to look nice in the back... It could easily be a pearl

If I can get some visual, I'll post it.