So I was the one who originally asked.... Since then I have found out tons! The Pearls As One clasp is the best time I spent, besides looking at a boat load of pearls... Do take the class...many people around here have codes to take it for free. I can now identify ok - good - great pearls. Pearls over the years from the 1940's to now have lots of changes. Gold can give you a clue..but just 1 clue. At one time Rice (Krispy) pearls were new in the 70's and very valuable often having a gold clasp. But they are still sold today & often have a base metal clasp then. Saltwater Akoyas vary with the era...older 40'-late 50's tend to have Silver clasp, but 60's-80's have gold clasps. Newer Saltwater or Freshwater really vary too...some have silver clasps, but amazing pearls...some have gold clasp and cheap pearls. The class really helps you identify different pearls.
14k clasp indication of quality or what is the worse mismatch of clasp and pearls you have seen and why is it bad?
- Thread starter A Breaker
- Start date
BWeaves
Well-known member
I put a base metal, gold plated and crystal clasp on my original akoya rope from the 1980s because the diamond and gold clasp my mother had bought for it looked crappy. The diamond chips were grey and had no sparkle to them, and the gold was thin. The fake clasp was the same design, but looked so much more expensive. The crystals sparkled and the metal was thicker.
I also asked PP to put a white gold and CZ ball clasp on my 8mm natural white Hanadama rope because I didn't want all my money going into the clasp. I wanted to spend my money on the quality of the pearls. PP were hesitant at first, but when the clasp came in, they said it looked amazing. So, instead of spending $4000 on the clasp, I spent $400, and the majority of my money went into the pearls themselves. The clasp sparkles like a disco ball, and nobody can tell they aren't diamonds.
I also asked PP to put a white gold and CZ ball clasp on my 8mm natural white Hanadama rope because I didn't want all my money going into the clasp. I wanted to spend my money on the quality of the pearls. PP were hesitant at first, but when the clasp came in, they said it looked amazing. So, instead of spending $4000 on the clasp, I spent $400, and the majority of my money went into the pearls themselves. The clasp sparkles like a disco ball, and nobody can tell they aren't diamonds.
Thanks BWeaves!!! I have seen dreadful gold & diamonds, while some CZ & plate looks amazing! I think it it HUGE to actually know the quality of pearls...instead of counting on the clasp! (Confession: I ordered a lovely golden pearl necklace with a 14k clasp... to find out they were faux and the coating was coming off..although 1 auction house & a jeweler said that they were real! I was able to return them and learned a valuable lesson....Clasps don't mean much!)
