thrift store find: too good to be true?
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pattye
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In this last photo, on the pearl on left looks like a piece of the nacre material sticking out next to the spacer bead---??
Here are my fuller answers, Pattye...
1. When you rub 2 pearls gently together, do they seem very smooth, or a just a bit gritty? (I like this better than the tooth test.)
Yes, they are just slightly gritty; there's a catching feel when I rub them together.
2. When you look closely around the drill holes, is there any peeling or flaking?
No, but there is crumpling, as you see in the photo above
3. Any dimples or partial rings around the pearls?
There are tiny dimples and bumps here and there, but not many... one per pearl or less, I'd say (though I didn't have the patience to examine each pearl in detail). and I couldn't find any partial rings--oh wait, there's what looks like it could be what you mean, I'll attach another photo. Right near the drill hole on the second one from the end.
4. Overall, when you look at the row of pearls, do they look all the same--
shiny and round? Or are there some slight differences from pearl to pearl?
A slight difference in color, or shape, or all the same?
Umm... they look pretty close to the same shape to me. Any differences are too small for me to detect.
5. Can you measure and give us approx mm size?
Rats, I don't have anything to measure with. They're big, though.
1. When you rub 2 pearls gently together, do they seem very smooth, or a just a bit gritty? (I like this better than the tooth test.)
Yes, they are just slightly gritty; there's a catching feel when I rub them together.
2. When you look closely around the drill holes, is there any peeling or flaking?
No, but there is crumpling, as you see in the photo above
3. Any dimples or partial rings around the pearls?
There are tiny dimples and bumps here and there, but not many... one per pearl or less, I'd say (though I didn't have the patience to examine each pearl in detail). and I couldn't find any partial rings--oh wait, there's what looks like it could be what you mean, I'll attach another photo. Right near the drill hole on the second one from the end.
4. Overall, when you look at the row of pearls, do they look all the same--
shiny and round? Or are there some slight differences from pearl to pearl?
A slight difference in color, or shape, or all the same?
Umm... they look pretty close to the same shape to me. Any differences are too small for me to detect.
5. Can you measure and give us approx mm size?
Rats, I don't have anything to measure with. They're big, though.
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Caitlin
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Hi pwray
Welcome!
The photos don't look round but oblong. Which are they? How about a macro with the whole strand? Make sure it is not skewed. Try a couple of different lights and backgrounds. The more views, the better when we are guessing.
That nacre sticking out does not happen with cultured pearls. It looks like peeling plastic. More photos are needed to rule this possibility out. You can macro in on several pearl's drill holes, for instance and try to get the edge of the drill holes. Try to get photos of dimples and other small surface markings
Try to describe the differences you see on any two pearls from shapes to colors and dimples etc. Unless we have a lot of good photos, anything we say is a wild guess.
Welcome!
The photos don't look round but oblong. Which are they? How about a macro with the whole strand? Make sure it is not skewed. Try a couple of different lights and backgrounds. The more views, the better when we are guessing.
That nacre sticking out does not happen with cultured pearls. It looks like peeling plastic. More photos are needed to rule this possibility out. You can macro in on several pearl's drill holes, for instance and try to get the edge of the drill holes. Try to get photos of dimples and other small surface markings
Try to describe the differences you see on any two pearls from shapes to colors and dimples etc. Unless we have a lot of good photos, anything we say is a wild guess.
jshepherd
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This is not really a wild guess. The strand is unfortunately faux.
Based on the number of beads and comparing it to the size against the hand, they look to be around 12 mm. Only South Sea pearls would be that size, shape and uniform. They do not look like South Sea pearls. They look like beads.
Based on the number of beads and comparing it to the size against the hand, they look to be around 12 mm. Only South Sea pearls would be that size, shape and uniform. They do not look like South Sea pearls. They look like beads.
I have to go out for a while, but I'll return with some more photos and angles. Thank you everyone, for your help. Jeremy, I appreciate your very firm opinion but truly, I don't see any way these could possibly be plastic. I mean, they practically glow in the dark, and not in a plastic glow-in-the-dark sort of way.
Do Chinese Freshwater pearls not ever get this big? And if they really are big pearls, well maybe I've hit the jackpot of pearldom? Weirder things have happened. If size is your only reason, that doesn't seem to be good enough.
I'll be back in a bit! This is certainly a thrill for me, regardless of outcome!
Do Chinese Freshwater pearls not ever get this big? And if they really are big pearls, well maybe I've hit the jackpot of pearldom? Weirder things have happened. If size is your only reason, that doesn't seem to be good enough.
I'll be back in a bit! This is certainly a thrill for me, regardless of outcome!
P
pattye
Guest
That is what I was thinking too, Jeremy, they are pretty big. I have paid from $10-20 for a strand of sea shell pearls (faux pearls) at the bead show. Restring them nicely, Pwray, and you will have an attractive necklace that is very in style right now!
Nerida
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I think the shape is way too uniform to be big pearls. CFWP do occasionally get this large, but almost never this regular in a strand. The lustre on some shell pearls is actually good - definitely not a "plastic" looking sheen - becuase of the scales and shell parts used.
Good shell pearls sell for way more than $4.50, so maybe you have a bargain after all?
Good shell pearls sell for way more than $4.50, so maybe you have a bargain after all?
jshepherd
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Also, you mention the lack of graduation. I've never seen a strand of freshwater pearls that large and perfect. I have seen it in a graduated strand, but never in a straight-size.
South Sea pearls are also routinely graduated, if no more than a half-millimeter. Non-graduated strands (that vary by only one millimeter) are considered straight-size strands and are rare and very, very expensive. Also, South Sea strands don't peel at the holes the way the strand appears. That would be a trait of akoya, but the pearls are too large to be akoya.
The glow you are referring to is something not typically found in South Sea pearl either. It's much more common in shell pearls that do glow and are iridescent.
South Sea pearls are also routinely graduated, if no more than a half-millimeter. Non-graduated strands (that vary by only one millimeter) are considered straight-size strands and are rare and very, very expensive. Also, South Sea strands don't peel at the holes the way the strand appears. That would be a trait of akoya, but the pearls are too large to be akoya.
The glow you are referring to is something not typically found in South Sea pearl either. It's much more common in shell pearls that do glow and are iridescent.
Do shell pearls match all the other criteria given? Such as the tooth test, etc etc.
Interestingly, when I went out just now, I walked down the street and happened to stop in at a little gifts & collectibles shop in my neighbourhood. I was looking at a set of decent but fake pearls that were also quite heavy and well done, and comparing them to mine when the proprietress asked if I was interested in pearls, and the story emerged. She said, "I'm a pearl expert!" (by which she meant, I gather, that she can tell the false from the real). She gave them the tooth test, showed me the difference between mine and the fake ones, and let me try the tooth thing with a set of real pearls that she had for sale.
She claims, they're real south sea cultured pearls. Beyond that, she wasn't too informative. Do shell beads pass the tooth test too?
Interestingly, when I went out just now, I walked down the street and happened to stop in at a little gifts & collectibles shop in my neighbourhood. I was looking at a set of decent but fake pearls that were also quite heavy and well done, and comparing them to mine when the proprietress asked if I was interested in pearls, and the story emerged. She said, "I'm a pearl expert!" (by which she meant, I gather, that she can tell the false from the real). She gave them the tooth test, showed me the difference between mine and the fake ones, and let me try the tooth thing with a set of real pearls that she had for sale.
She claims, they're real south sea cultured pearls. Beyond that, she wasn't too informative. Do shell beads pass the tooth test too?
When you say they're too large to be akoya, do you mean, 'they can't be akoya because no real expensive strand of non-graduated akoya pearls would ever ever end up in a thrift store' or 'they can't be akoya because akoya never get that big'?
I'm not interested in the former attitude; I'm interested in what is real. I appreciate all of your feedback, it's better than a mystery novel. I'm already richer than I was yesterday by a lot.
Oh, and the glow I referred to wasn't literal as in 'glow in the dark', I mean, they are extremely lustrous. I've never seen anything like this, and I've seen just about every kind of low-end bead and jewelry there is.
I'm not interested in the former attitude; I'm interested in what is real. I appreciate all of your feedback, it's better than a mystery novel. I'm already richer than I was yesterday by a lot.
Oh, and the glow I referred to wasn't literal as in 'glow in the dark', I mean, they are extremely lustrous. I've never seen anything like this, and I've seen just about every kind of low-end bead and jewelry there is.
la_corsetiere
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This is way better than a mystery novel (or the rather dull day I'm having in the office). I'm rooting for you, pwray, and I do hope they're real! In my experience, the tooth test doesn't lie, if the pearl actually does feel gritty, though it can sometimes be unreliable if the pearl feels smooth. Unless the finish of a faux pearl is irregular or wearing off, which certainly doesn't look like the case here. Do keep us posted, and let us know what you find out! Stranger things have been known to happen - my mother found a rather nice diamond solitaire ring in a change purse she picked up for a quarter at a thrift shop. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!
Sheri
Sheri
Thank you, Sheri! It's certainly made my day more interesting, as if the kittens currently rampaging through the house weren't interesting enough.
So far, unless shell beads can pass the tooth test, we've verified to my own satisfaction that they are at least actual pearls... the mystery deepens.
Oh yes, and they do clock in at a hefty 12 ml, give or take a micron or two.
So far, unless shell beads can pass the tooth test, we've verified to my own satisfaction that they are at least actual pearls... the mystery deepens.
Oh yes, and they do clock in at a hefty 12 ml, give or take a micron or two.
Heidi
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Hello pwray -
It's always great to investigate a thrift store find! I wish you the best in your research.
Some high-quality faux pearls can have a gritty feel with the tooth test so you have to use your powers of observation and/or, even better, seek out a real live expert to help you determine if these are real. (In your first photos, in particular, the color looks too uniform to my eye - but I am not a real live expert, only an enthusiast!!)
Caitlin posted a good description of faux pearls in another thread, see this LINK.
And, to echo earlier thoughts, if you restring these nicely they'll be a great piece of wearable jewelery regardless. Enjoy them!
It's always great to investigate a thrift store find! I wish you the best in your research.
Some high-quality faux pearls can have a gritty feel with the tooth test so you have to use your powers of observation and/or, even better, seek out a real live expert to help you determine if these are real. (In your first photos, in particular, the color looks too uniform to my eye - but I am not a real live expert, only an enthusiast!!)
Caitlin posted a good description of faux pearls in another thread, see this LINK.
And, to echo earlier thoughts, if you restring these nicely they'll be a great piece of wearable jewelery regardless. Enjoy them!
Nerida
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I don't know any shell beads that pass the tooth test... I sell all types of pearls, but I also sell shell pearls, and NONE of them are comparable in the tooth test stakes... SO the mystery deepens, for me.
Akoyas sadly don't come that big - stranger things happen than good pearls ending up in a thrift shop!
Good luck - I am definitely more puzzled now!
Akoyas sadly don't come that big - stranger things happen than good pearls ending up in a thrift shop!
Good luck - I am definitely more puzzled now!
Here are some more photos, a couple of different hole openings, and one of the whole thing. They are certainly extremely uniform in colour and size, so it seems if they are real, a possibility I hold dear but am not deeply invested in, then they must be very very valuable, no?
