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They are cultured freshwater pearls from China and are solid nacre (no bead inside.) The dark ones are dyed. The clasp is sterling silver.

Yes, but if you are going to thread a needle, you will need thinner thread, as threading the needle doubles the thickness of the thread. ;) For the usual size pearls (neither tiny nor huge), I use size 30 (medium, 0.37mm) Serafil and Fine needles. There is also a Fine thread, size 40, 0.33mm.

Also...I've read that even Mikimoto is now using synthetic thread. It makes sense. Silk was THE thread to use before synthetics existed, but it isn't optimal, for various reasons. Also-- for long strands I have found this method easier than stringing on one pearl at a time-- you'll get fewer...

Do post again if anything isn't clear. Even if you don't use the Thread Zap, you can use the knotting / trimming technique I use.

I don't use silk but I know it used to be sold in spools as well. Can you find any of those? Or...try Serafil! I really love Serafil. It's strong, it's waterproof, it won't stretch. It comes in various sizes and colors. A card of it is more than long enough for your long strand. It's easy to...

I knot between the first few pearls (not visible in my photos) but I cut the tail off before making the next knot and continuing to string on pearls. This prevents cutting the knot off by accident. And also makes it easier to pass the needle through the next pearl-- no knot to have to maneuver...

@Diamondsareforever, Does this answer your question?

OK here we go. (Thanks to my husband for taking the photos!) I have also linked this post to my Stringing Tutorial on the Lowly Beaders' Club. Perhaps someone else reading that will find it useful. :) This is the Thread Zap II and a close up. It takes a single AA battery. The wire filament...

One advantage of the Thread Zap is that it melts synthetic thread, so the cut end doesn't fray. But don't use it on silk-- it chars. I'll post a photo later.

What are you cutting the tail of thread with? I use a Thread Zap. I insert the thread tail to be cut off into the wire loop of the Thread Zap, then angle both the thread and the Thread Zap so that the wire is pressed against the edge of the thread, keeping the thread I don't want to cut well...

Bad dye job?

Sorry, I have no advice to give on this.

Hi, It is harder to evaluate pearls that are photographed against a dark background. Please retake the photos against a paper towel or other white background. Please take a closeup of this pearl. What is that sticking out? (I'm wondering if it is fake pearl coating that has begun to peel off.)...

They look like akoyas to me. The M on the clasp may be of the maker of the clasp rather than of the necklace. (It is not the mark for Mikimoto). They really need to be cleaned and restrung. If you plan to wear them, have a look at my tutorial. It's not hard to restring them yourself, and it...

Not good, but also the 3 items in the second photo don't look like pearls.

To sell? No. To wear? Yes, but only if you do it yourself; if you have to pay someone to restring them, it will cost too much for what they are IMO. I wrote a restringing tutorial -- it's not hard to do...

They appear to be naturally colored cultured freshwater pearls from China.

The necklace actually looks like south sea pearls to me. It has a hidden clasp-- not something you would typically see with FWP but rather with the much costlier SSP. The studs could also be SSP, based on size and color tone. It's a very nice set.

My golden SS necklace was strung with wire and silicone bumpers. It's very secure and comfortable but it's a short strand. I can see where the bumpers could make for a stiffer drape on a long necklace. Beadalon sells these as "bead bumpers" and firemountaingems.com sells them as "bead...

I'd say yes.