Any info welcomed

[Kappy56]

Looking to identify if these are the real thing. No identifying marks. I have owned them for approximately 38 years. Thank you in advance for any info. Trying to determine value.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

They look like imitation pearls. The findings are not those of Mikimoto but many fake pearls are finished that way.
The pearls themselves don't look real.

Look closely at the drill holes of the smaller pearls on the end where there are a number of small pearls. See that protrusion of coating near the drill hole? That is indicative of a fake pearl coating.
Magnified, the pearls have the coarse surface appearance of fakes.
They are too uniform in color and luster. This also points to their being fake.

They look like a fun strand to wear, though.
If you are looking to sell them, check eBay to see what similar strands of imitation pearls have sold for recently. Look at completed sales. People do buy nice imitations, but the value will not be high.

As for the box...any pearls can be placed in any box, sadly.

 

[Kappy56]

They look like imitation pearls. The findings are not those of Mikimoto but many fake pearls are finished that way.
The pearls themselves don't look real.

Look closely at the drill holes of the smaller pearls on the end where there are a number of small pearls. See that protrusion of coating near the drill hole? That is indicative of a fake pearl coating.
Magnified, the pearls have the coarse surface appearance of fakes.
They are too uniform in color and luster. This also points to their being fake.

They look like a fun strand to wear, though.
If you are looking to sell them, check eBay to see what similar strands of imitation pearls have sold for recently. Look at completed sales. People do buy nice imitations, but the value will not be high.

As for the box...any pearls can be placed in any box, sadly.

Thank you for this info.

 

[A Breaker]

Often there is the word "Japan" on the hook. Look at Ebay or Etsy and you will see Mikimoto's M inside a shell on all Mikimoto jewelry. The box is newer than the necklace.

 

[BWeaves]

I agree, imitation pearls in a box they did not originally come in.

 

[Kappy56]

I agree, imitation pearls in a box they did not originally come in.

That's the thing though, they where purchased from G.M.Pollack Jewelers 38 years ago and sitting in a dresser draw all these years. My husband purchased them for me. This is the box that they came in. This particular jeweler filed bankruptcy in 2015. I would hate to think they scammed people.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Maybe their scamming caught up with them....
Some jewelers are dishonest, sadly.

Here are a few simple tests you can do.

1. Temperature test. Real pearls are cooler than glass or plastic pearls. For this comparison test you need some other pearls that you know are fake, or that you know are real. Put both sets of pearls in the same room for half and hour or so, so that they are exposed to the same ambient temperature. Then touch them to your lips briefly, and repeat with the other pearls. What do you feel?

2. Loupe test. Another comparison test. I mentioned that the surface of your pearls looks rough when the photo is enlarged. Real nacre looks smooth when viewed under 10x magnification. Imitation pearl-like coating looks a bit more coarse. This is true even of high end fakes-- there is a visible difference in the surface under a loupe. If you don't have a loupe you can visit a jeweler and ask to look at their pearls through their loupe, and bring yours along for comparison.
By the way, loupes are not costly; they are easy to find on Amazon. I recommend that everyone who loves jewelry own one. I keep one in my purse all the time.

3. Rubbing test. Real pearls feel gritty when rubbed gently together. Fake pearls slide against each other more easily. However, this test isn't foolproof-- sometimes pearls are coated to make them look shiny, and sometimes they are a bit grimy from years of being worn, and both can change the way they feel. Also, not everyone can feel the grittiness. But give it a try.

 

[ennui]

That's the thing though, they where purchased from G.M.Pollack Jewelers 38 years ago and sitting in a dresser draw all these years. My husband purchased them for me. This is the box that they came in. This particular jeweler filed bankruptcy in 2015. I would hate to think they scammed people.

I did find articles about GM Pollack, and they seem to be a well-known chain of stores until closing in 2015. I don't think they scammed people but I do think they might be in trouble for trademark infringement, using the name Mikimoto for their own products.