Recent content by ennui

My personal opinion? Unless you are saving it as a family heirloom for someone else, you may as well wear it. I've been to many auctions and estate sales, and no one will enjoy it as much as you do.

I just ran across a news story about a Reddit user who found black freshwater pearls for $10. She's pretty excited. "A lucky thrifter’s $10 purchase at a local shop turned into a major score after a jeweler confirmed that a striking "black pearl" necklace was, in fact, genuine. The shopper's...

I find this is true of lab-created rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. I give them the side-eye. I imagine lab created diamonds might pass, but I haven't seen any in person.

I hope to watch, just to clarify in my mind ... I'm thinking mantle-bead is a bead and a small piece of tissue, as opposed to mantle tissue only? The pearls in the photo all have amazing luster; I wouldn't turn any of them away.

I think it looks like a "g" and I suspect it's the manufacturers mark. You can swap out the clasp, people do it all the time. Some people buy pearls on eBay just for the clasp to use in something else.

There is actually a gadget called a brooch to pendant converter. It has a loop, and a slot to hold the pin back. There are different styles and designs, but it's out there.

I believe the DIY tarnish remover recipe calls for washing soda, which is chemically different from baking soda. Washing soda and baking soda are distinct compounds with different chemical properties. Many people use the aluminum foil/warm water/washing soda to quickly clean large quantities of...

Some vehicles come with 20 year coverage, usually dealer specific. I am reminded of some Tahitian pearls worn by surfers that were sent to Jeremy for repair. They'd been worn so much that the nacre was gone, and the bead was showing. If I recall correctly.

My only thought is larger pearls will take up more space so you will need to adjust the length to compensate, but you aren't lookin g at 9mm pearl bracelets ... I digress. Yes, get the best luster.

Mother of pearl can be dyed. I think it's a cool pendant!

I think it looks like a Biwa pearl, which would be freshwater.

I clicked on the Emma Brooke earrings, and the pearls are inside the crystal. They are shaker earrings. Cool. Nice to see Imperial Pearl get a mention, you don't hear much about them lately. The woman in the above photo is wearing A LOT of jewelry. I realize it's an editorial, but nothing...

I like baroque Akoyas. If that's weird, maybe we can start a club. I have a baroque Tahitian that broke, so it happens. It's on a bracelet so I just left it.

Do you have them already? If not, maybe they won't be quite so bluish in person. I think they look like fireballs (without pronounced tails).

Thank you so much for explaining first - second - third harvest. I learned something today!