These were passed down to me from my mother, who got them from her grandmother. From the research I have done, I believe they are something special but I wanted to see if I could get someone to verify exactly what they are. They are in a graduated setting and I believe they are princess length? According to my mother they were appraised in the early 90s for $500, so I'd also like to know the value in today's market also if possible. The clasp has 14k on it and the pearls passed the tooth test. They could probably use a cleaning because they've been put up for years, but other than that they are absolutely beautiful and have pink tones in. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Need help identifying my great-grandmother's pearls.
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Pearl Dreams
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Value-- I think of 3 kinds: sentimental value, replacement value, and resale value.
I'm sure the pearls have great sentimental value-- that is often the greatest value of inherited pearls.
We cannot tell you the current replacement value (i.e. for insurance purposes). To do that you would have to see an appraiser again, and pay their fee. But I don't recommend that; it is unlikely that pearls appraised at $500 in the early 1990s would need to be insured. Also, graduated akoya necklaces are not really the current style so it's not so easy to know what it would cost to replace them.
I will tell you that in general, pearls do not retain value for resale purposes (if you are thinking of selling.) Resale value is always less than replacement value. Also, if you are thinking of selling them, be aware that if they need to be restrung (very likely), any potential buyers would factor that cost into what they would be willing to pay for them. To pay to have them restrung just to sell them is probably not such a good idea. Restringing can be expensive; many of us do our own restringing, and if that is what you would like to do (whether to sell or keep them), I have a tutorial on how to do that!
If you would like us to look at your pearls (we always like to see pearls!
) you can upload photos using the photo icon on the toolbar -- when you click on it it will look like this, and you can drag and drop a photo into the box:
Finally, if selling them is your goal, I suggest you do a search on eBay for recently SOLD, similar necklaces. That will give you an idea of what you might get for them. I think this is a good reality check; pre-owned pearls don't sell for much money unless they were owned by someone famous or are Mikimoto brand (in which case the pearls should have a Mikimoto clasp at least, and preferably also documents or the brand name box.)
I'm sure the pearls have great sentimental value-- that is often the greatest value of inherited pearls.
We cannot tell you the current replacement value (i.e. for insurance purposes). To do that you would have to see an appraiser again, and pay their fee. But I don't recommend that; it is unlikely that pearls appraised at $500 in the early 1990s would need to be insured. Also, graduated akoya necklaces are not really the current style so it's not so easy to know what it would cost to replace them.
I will tell you that in general, pearls do not retain value for resale purposes (if you are thinking of selling.) Resale value is always less than replacement value. Also, if you are thinking of selling them, be aware that if they need to be restrung (very likely), any potential buyers would factor that cost into what they would be willing to pay for them. To pay to have them restrung just to sell them is probably not such a good idea. Restringing can be expensive; many of us do our own restringing, and if that is what you would like to do (whether to sell or keep them), I have a tutorial on how to do that!
If you would like us to look at your pearls (we always like to see pearls!
) you can upload photos using the photo icon on the toolbar -- when you click on it it will look like this, and you can drag and drop a photo into the box:Finally, if selling them is your goal, I suggest you do a search on eBay for recently SOLD, similar necklaces. That will give you an idea of what you might get for them. I think this is a good reality check; pre-owned pearls don't sell for much money unless they were owned by someone famous or are Mikimoto brand (in which case the pearls should have a Mikimoto clasp at least, and preferably also documents or the brand name box.)
Hello everyone,
I’ve recently joined this forum and wanted to introduce myself. My family has a long history in Sri Lanka’s maritime trade, particularly in spices and pearls. Among the heirlooms passed down through generations, I’ve inherited a collection of natural pearls believed to date back to my great-grandfather’s time in the 1700s — well before the advent of cultured pearls.
They likely originate from the Gulf of Mannar, once home to one of the richest natural pearl fisheries in the world, renowned for producing prized pearls for over two millennia.
I’m here to learn more, to better understand what I have, and possibly connect with those who appreciate and deal in such pearls. I look forward to being part of this knowledgeable community.
With thanks,
Raj
I’ve recently joined this forum and wanted to introduce myself. My family has a long history in Sri Lanka’s maritime trade, particularly in spices and pearls. Among the heirlooms passed down through generations, I’ve inherited a collection of natural pearls believed to date back to my great-grandfather’s time in the 1700s — well before the advent of cultured pearls.
They likely originate from the Gulf of Mannar, once home to one of the richest natural pearl fisheries in the world, renowned for producing prized pearls for over two millennia.
I’m here to learn more, to better understand what I have, and possibly connect with those who appreciate and deal in such pearls. I look forward to being part of this knowledgeable community.
With thanks,
Raj
Pearl Dreams
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I have no idea how to start a new thread, if you could guide me I would appreciate it.
Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
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- Sep 24, 2007
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Value-- I think of 3 kinds: sentimental value, replacement value, and resale value.
I'm sure the pearls have great sentimental value-- that is often the greatest value of inherited pearls.
We cannot tell you the current replacement value (i.e. for insurance purposes). To do that you would have to see an appraiser again, and pay their fee. But I don't recommend that; it is unlikely that pearls appraised at $500 in the early 1990s would need to be insured. Also, graduated akoya necklaces are not really the current style so it's not so easy to know what it would cost to replace them.
I will tell you that in general, pearls do not retain value for resale purposes (if you are thinking of selling.) Resale value is always less than replacement value. Also, if you are thinking of selling them, be aware that if they need to be restrung (very likely), any potential buyers would factor that cost into what they would be willing to pay for them. To pay to have them restrung just to sell them is probably not such a good idea. Restringing can be expensive; many of us do our own restringing, and if that is what you would like to do (whether to sell or keep them), I have a tutorial on how to do that!
If you would like us to look at your pearls (we always like to see pearls!
View attachment 473785
Finally, if selling them is your goal, I suggest you do a search on eBay for recently SOLD, similar necklaces. That will give you an idea of what you might get for them. I think this is a good reality check; pre-owned pearls don't sell for much money unless they were owned by someone famous or are Mikimoto brand (in which case the pearls should have a Mikimoto clasp at least, and preferably also documents or the brand name box.)
Pearl Dreams
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- Sep 24, 2007
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Thanks for the photos!
Those graduated akoya necklaces were sold in Japan during the WWII/Korean War era. Servicemen would buy them to give to their wives and sweethearts. Because they were graduated in size, they cost less than a strand with pearls all the same size (since pearls are sold by weight.)
It definitely needs a cleaning and restringing. Skin oils, cosmetics and environmental pollution leave a patina of grime on pearls over time, which obscures the luster. They will look much better after a bath. Soak them for about 15 minutes in distilled water with a mild soap added, wipe them clean with a soft cloth and rinse with more distilled water. Leave the necklace to dry on a soft towel for 24 hours (the silk inside the drill hole needs time to dry.)
Restringing is essential when the silk is so old. Grime and moisture weaken silk, and it can break-- causing loss of one or more pearls or the entire necklace.
Those graduated akoya necklaces were sold in Japan during the WWII/Korean War era. Servicemen would buy them to give to their wives and sweethearts. Because they were graduated in size, they cost less than a strand with pearls all the same size (since pearls are sold by weight.)
It definitely needs a cleaning and restringing. Skin oils, cosmetics and environmental pollution leave a patina of grime on pearls over time, which obscures the luster. They will look much better after a bath. Soak them for about 15 minutes in distilled water with a mild soap added, wipe them clean with a soft cloth and rinse with more distilled water. Leave the necklace to dry on a soft towel for 24 hours (the silk inside the drill hole needs time to dry.)
Restringing is essential when the silk is so old. Grime and moisture weaken silk, and it can break-- causing loss of one or more pearls or the entire necklace.
This is what we were wondering. We had a hunch they were akoya pearls based on research but couldn't be sure. I will definitely get them restrung and thank you for taking the time to reply with this info.
Pearl Dreams
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I hope you will post photos after they have been cleaned and restrung!
