Thrifted these pearls

Hi! I thrifted these pearls for fun & need help identifying their value. Will bring them to a trusted jeweler at some point, but wanted an online option 1st. Do you think they are real and if so, what kind/value?

Some identifying markers

• 14K Gold clasp
• Double knotted (looks like some residue in between the knots)
• smaller pearl near clasp
• About 22 inch necklace
• Pearls measure about 8mm

To me they look like imitation pearls, 14K clasp notwithstanding. But they are very grimy. That makes them harder to evaluate.

Try cleaning them--soak 15 minutes on mild soapy water, wipe away grime with a soft cloth, rinse and let them dry on a soft towel for 24 hours to allow the thread to dry thoroughly. Then re-photograph them. Take close ups of any flaws you see in the surface. Any place the pearly surface is flaked or flaking. Look carefully around the drill holes in particular.

Pearl Dreams said:

To me they look like imitation pearls, 14K clasp notwithstanding. But they are very grimy. That makes them harder to evaluate.

Try cleaning them--soak 15 minutes on mild soapy water, wipe away grime with a soft cloth, rinse and let them dry on a soft towel for 24 hours to allow the thread to dry thoroughly. Then re-photograph them. Take close ups of any flaws you see in the surface. Any place the pearly surface is flaked or flaking. Look carefully around the drill holes in particular.

Click to expand...

Cleaned the pearls per your suggestions. Thank you! I noticed a raised bump on one and some other scratches/dents. They seem very delicate.

They still look like imitations. My guess is that the clasp was changed at some point (gold used to be less valuable.)

You may wish to have a look at this thread:

Here is some information that might help. I have seen many faux pearls with 2 smaller pearls near the clasp, never real pearls with that. The wear on the pearls is more consistent with faux. Vintage Japanese makers usually used Silver, because they were master silversmiths. Around the 30-60's, in the US there was more gold, but less Pearls, so faux often got strung on gold, at the same time, Japanese had more Real pearls, less gold. Toward the end of the 50's-60's there were American companies that resold Akoya Pearl necklaces by partnerships or bulk buying of pearls from Japan...so there are a few that are 10k gold clasps & Akoya pearls...but it was usually white gold. So with the other tests in that thread... look at the "drill" holes very carefully & see if there is any paint build up or wearing off.

They look like imitation pearls to me, too. The clasp is the least expensive, generic clasp you can buy.