Recent content by BeadersSecret

Agree they look like fresh water pearls, may have been irradiated rather than dyed. It’s a long standing treatment to obtain Grey/Silver/Black.

There where indeed simulants of the rice crispie type pearl - they where often in multi-strand necklaces at the time and often used in a twisted strand style. Here is a picture of an early glass cored simulant from 30+ years ago. The client didn't want it in the strand as it was 'crooked' -...

It is somewhat regrettable to have seen disparagement and not encouragement to learn. Restringing is a craft with much more depth than may be apparent to a casual glance. What at first seems like String + bead + knot = Job Done, Is barely the surface. With that depth there are certainly a wide...

Sadly - indeed it is becoming more and more commonplace to encounter jammed thread, and it would be a sad day to additionally have it routine to encounter glued threads. Which is a totally avoidable situation caused by a stringer not using good technique. Stringing like many specialised crafts...

If this sort of of scenario arrived on my bench, I would definitely not use glue of any sort. I can’t actually imagine using glue to "fix" a loose pearls position in a strand of pearls. In addition to the practical Pro\Con aspects of using a glue - There also comes a disclosure element. Which...

Hello Surfnsci, can you post a picture of the pearl and the necklace. This would help in trying to understand the many variables in play, and what solutions might be valid.

How wonderful and joyful to see your Mother with the tiara on, she really looked happy.

There is a very high chance that they are costume pearls. There was/is a company that supplied the Hollywood industry with prop jewellery known as “Joseff of Hollywood”. They made exquisite jewellery pieces for the film industry in base metal (effectively Brass). From what I have seen and read...

They should sit - or be able to sit, in the same way as pre-removal. If there are issues showing when you do a dry run (without the glue) it would be an indication that some remnant of glue remains inside the pearl. you could clear that with a drill bit in a pin vice - this way with really no...

I am shocked to read that blunt force has been recommended - that’s a No no no! The pearls have yellowed glue residue with age, this indicates that epoxy glue has been used. To remove the glue without using chemicals boiling hot water does the trick for epoxy glue. Patience and a gentle hand...

That’s interesting, When I was working on this style of clasp I started off on the female side and finished off on the male side of this clasp. I never rushed these as I used 24 hour epoxy. I am right handed but my left hand plays an integral part in working with, as I call them fiddly style...

Hello Multichrome, my thoughts on the pendant is vintage of the period you mention, 60/70’s, and a bespoke piece. As for the pearl being fully drilled it is/was quite common, pearl left over from a necklace, Lost earring etc, or it was deliberately done in design. The gold cap looks substantial...

My quick review on the SSEF course. the course is just as described, introductory, and hits the right level for people who may be new to pearls, or working in a retail shop selling pearls and jewellery. The material is presented clearly, except for the trick question with Swiss Francs, and...

Hello Faith, The pouch itself has ‘jewelry’ this spelling is not used in the UK which uses the spelling as ‘jewellery’. I did a quick search on the internet on the shop name and found hits for a business in Illinois U.S.A, you could try reaching out to them and see if they can assist on age of...

This looks like a makers mark, not an assay/hallmark. You will have to be a bit of a sleuth to track down the maker :-( I picked up a 15ct seed pearl brooch in December past with a makers mark being a hanging sheep - I discovered it was made right here in Melbourne around the turn of last Century.