Recent content by Bacca

When I look at other people's pictures I'm often positive I know what they have. When I look at my own pearls in real life, I can have a lot of questions. That's why I appreciate all the opinions I've gotten. My skill as a photographer are lacking, because these pearls are lovely in person...

There's nothing about them that says bead or not bead. I can't seem to photograph the colors accurately. This image, next to some CCF, is close.

Thanks to both of you for your replies. I was thinking blue akoyas, too. I have some baroque blue akoyas in rings and these looked very similar. I needed unbiased opinions, though, and I appreciate yours.

This is a necklace with a 14k clasp. Size of the pearls is 8.0-8.5mm. I have no history on them other than they're vintage. I bought them because they seemed to want to come live with me. I don't know if the color is natural or enhanced. I don't see any pooling of dye. The first two pictures...

I remember first seeing sets like this in mall jewelry stores in the early nineties. In the late nineties, when eBay was new, these sets were listed there regularly. I don't know what the jeweler meant by "really old." My guess is these are in the neighborhood of 25 years old. I agree with those...

One of the advantages of vintage akoyas is that the layer of nacre is thicker. Since tissue nucleated cultured freshwater pearls are mostly nacre anyway, age doesn't provide that benefit. You can find some information about the history of Chinese cultured pearls here. At this point in your pearl...

Pearly Lady, looks like you're having some success in your search. This is probably a hectic time, but if you're able to post a picture when you get your pearls, that would be great. Best wishes for a long and happy marriage. Karin, one of these days I hope to figure out how to be smarter than...

Yes, exactly right.

Just talking about vintage akoyas, strands with plain clasps often sell on eBay for very reasonable prices, similar pearls with premium clasps sell for several times more and brand name pearls sell for (what I consider) ridiculous amounts.