Conundrum on Small Pearl Earring

[DaniHud]

Hello. I am looking for a little bit of information on a curious item I have found. I recently bought a box of loose jewellery at an auction. Nothing really special in the box, just as I had expected so I wasn't disappointed. However at the very bottom corner of the box was the attached picture stud pearl earring. Unfortunately, only one exists - very small about 3-4mm diameter on a gold post which is marked 9ct. Now this is where the conundrum starts for me. The makers mark (attached picture) is this a genuine Mikimoto mark? When looking at the pearl itself it looks like the sides have been "shaved" expertly so that it looks round at the top but is more rounded off around the sides (hopefully this can be seen on the pictures). Such a cute little earring but such a shame that a beautiful pearl has been shaved to removed the round appearance. I am really curious as to why this would be done? Is it purely aesthetics? Any help to calm my curious mind would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance.

 

[Ilianap]

I wish I had more knowledge in identifying if authentic, but as to the shaved off area, that is seen in the pictures. Hopefully others can update on their findings.

 

[BWeaves]

I wish I could remember which of my pearl books I saw this story in. Your earring looks exactly like a photo of an earring that had been through the digestive tract of a dog. The unfortunate owner had their dog eat one of their earrings. They retrieved the earring after it had been pooped out, and they had a photo of that earring next to the earring that had not been eaten. The stomach acids had eaten away at the pearl nacre, and because it had been submerged in stomach acid, it was evenly "shaved" looking.

FOUND IT!!! "Pearls". Revised Edition, by Fred Ward

I suspect your the former owner's pet had eaten the pearl, and being Mikimoto, they couldn't part with it, but it's unwearable. That's my guess. They might have taken the one good earring and turned it into a pendant.

 

[DaniHud]

I am still giggling with the answer and thank you for that explanation. Maybe I have "that" earring - luckily I'm not squeamish. But..... the nacre on the top of the earring is perfect, just perfect not shaved or discoloured but smooth and shinney. It almost looks like the pearl has been cut in order to fit the gold post. I'm still giggling.........

 

[DaniHud]

Hey thanks for finding that article, it has just updated and popped up on my computer. Brilliant picture and what a difference to the pearl. The pearl I have though, is just perfect on the top, nice and round, shinney - just perfect. When you look at it (and I am sorry my pictures are not great to get the detail), you would think the pearl is not a round shape but when looking at it with a loop you can see that it has been expertly shaved, it's almost like it has been cut to match the gold earring post and to taper down to it. Perfectly tapered workmanship. Many thanks though for taking the trouble to hunt out that picture and I see now what you mean - my pictures are not great. Many thanks again.

 

[Ilianap]

I wish I could remember which of my pearl books I saw this story in. Your earring looks exactly like a photo of an earring that had been through the digestive tract of a dog. The unfortunate owner had their dog eat one of their earrings. They retrieved the earring after it had been pooped out, and they had a photo of that earring next to the earring that had not been eaten. The stomach acids had eaten away at the pearl nacre, and because it had been submerged in stomach acid, it was evenly "shaved" looking.

FOUND IT!!! "Pearls". Revised Edition, by Fred Ward

View attachment 473601

I suspect your the former owner's pet had eaten the pearl, and being Mikimoto, they couldn't part with it, but it's unwearable. That's my guess. They might have taken the one good earring and turned it into a pendant.

I concur

 

[BWeaves]

Hey thanks for finding that article, it has just updated and popped up on my computer. Brilliant picture and what a difference to the pearl. The pearl I have though, is just perfect on the top, nice and round, shinney - just perfect. When you look at it (and I am sorry my pictures are not great to get the detail), you would think the pearl is not a round shape but when looking at it with a loop you can see that it has been expertly shaved, it's almost like it has been cut to match the gold earring post and to taper down to it. Perfectly tapered workmanship. Many thanks though for taking the trouble to hunt out that picture and I see now what you mean - my pictures are not great. Many thanks again.

The top of the pearl in the Fred Ward photo is also round and has a smooth surface. Both your pearl and the Fred Ward pearl curve in at the base near the metal. I suspect the pearl nacre next to the metal reacted more with the stomach acid.