Is this a Natural Saltwater Pearl Necklace?

[PF1030]

Are these natural pearls? This is a necklace I have my eye on. It is described as:
“round to semi-baroque in shape, and graduate from ~7.5mm to 10.5mm with a light cream color. The pearls do show some blemishes. Please understand this is an old item, and companies were not necessarily as stringent on quality control as they are today.”
The pearls seems the right shape, and the blemishes to me seem exactly what you would expect on a natural pearl necklace. I will include images in the comments of clasps on natural pearl necklaces by Tiffany that have sold at auction recently (so there is no confusion between which necklaces are which).

 

[PF1030]

Clasps on natural pearl necklaces by Tiffany & Co

 

[Pearl Dreams]

The listing does not make the claim that they are natural (as opposed to cultured), nor does the $6,995 price tag lead one to think they are natural. If they were certified natural, they would be worth much more. The seller would know this.

If you like them enough that you would want them even if they were cultured, go for it, and send them to the GIA for testing if you wish. But I would assume they are cultured.

 

[PF1030]

The listing does not make the claim that they are natural (as opposed to cultured), nor does the $6,995 price tag lead one to think they are natural. If they were certified natural, they would be worth much more. The seller would know this.

If you like them enough that you would want them even if they were cultured, go for it, and send them to the GIA for testing if you wish. But I would assume they are cultured.

The seller is a pawn shop in Chicago. There is nothing on their website that suggests any credentials such as being GIA trained or certified. And based on his inventory pearls are not an area of focus. The listing focuses on the diamonds in the clasp as a selling point.

 

[PF1030]

The listing does not make the claim that they are natural (as opposed to cultured), nor does the $6,995 price tag lead one to think they are natural. If they were certified natural, they would be worth much more. The seller would know this.

If you like them enough that you would want them even if they were cultured, go for it, and send them to the GIA for testing if you wish. But I would assume they are cultured.

Also the seller does not send in pieces to be certified. Out of 238 other pieces of jewelry for sale only 5 pieces have GIA certifications, dating from 1997 to 2013. And zero of the few other pieces with pearls mention any GIA certifications.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I guess I'm approaching this as a practical matter for you as a potential buyer.
Are they returnable? If so, is the return window long enough to get them certified?
If not, and if you bought them and sent them to the GIA and found out they were cultured, would you still be content with them?

That is a lot of money to gamble with-- at least it is for me.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Let's page @Lagoon Island Pearls for his expert opinion. I am not an expert on natural pearls.

 

[PF1030]

30 day return policy

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I've never sent anything to the GIA for certification but I would think 30 days isn't a long enough turnaround time. Maybe unless you can take it there in person and pick it up in person, but even then...?