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Ok, so...I've sorted them into different 'types'...it seems to be a collection of mainly old natural pearls and faux pearls, with maybe a sprinkling of old cultureds. I found it very difficult to take decent pics with any of the equipment I have...so, you'll see, I've taken pics down a 10x...

I bought these two boxes from a neighbour, who knowing ive become interested in pearls popped by with them and said she'd like ?30 for them. Both of her parents came from families who had jewellers shops and she used to rummage in these boxes to source pearls to make Regency style costumes when...

MSC...glad you agree ;-) FrenchPearl...Being as I don't really know what I'm doing...at this stage...how big, and how dirty the drill-hole is plays a crucial role in my deciding which section of the box each pearl goes in! Helen

PGers....Just had to share, as I'm sooo beside myself...sorting through this little box of old pearls..quite a few look promising as naturals :-)) Any tips on how to go about this? I'm just putting them in groups with others that look similar. Good job I'm not working tomorrow!! Happily, Helen

MSC... I used the Moe calipers against the tape measure, normally you would use them on the girdle of a diamond to find the diameter, this gives a number on the caliper gauge which you then look up in the Moe book to find an approximate weight based on the thickness of girdle. In your case the...

Oh, and...I just adore all the wingy river pearl pieces! As regards the origin of these, they're something I very rarely see here in England. I've worked in antique jewellery for the last fifteen years and only just recently bought one piece in for the shop.

Hi MSC...it looks as tho' (using your millimetre measurements, and my very lo-tech technique), your AMAZING ring has about a carat of diamonds...between .98-1.15ct. Nice!

Oh WOW...that is my kind of ring!! What an adventurous shape.....how did you come by this one? I'd say it was European, quite possibly German, as I've seen rings of the same period with identical marks for 14ct gold. I've got a little 'diamond calculator' for estimating weights on antique-cuts...

Just gorgeous, my two favourites are the baroquey ones with the push-barrel clasps, especially the first one. Wonderful lustre. Thank you for taking the time to put up the pictures in this thread...I look forward to its continuation!!

Sophie, pleased it worked :-)

FrenchPearl, I think it must be cultured...the core, which isn't actually 'round', moves around inside a little, and there is grit and dirt in the space between the nacre and the 'core'. But I agree, I thought it looked abalone too.

Madcsiencechik, I'm based in the South of England, and bought it from someone who came into the shop, so there's every chance it is English, but i haven't even tested the metal. Bodecia, Gemgeek...i couldnt bear to convert it, to me it is what it is...it's a teeny flower (probably originally...

Wonderful...again, I love the mix of straight/curved, rough/smooth..super-dramatic!!

What an AMAZING collection! I, for one, am suffering from a huge attack of jewellery envy! Some of them are pretty much museum pieces.

I'm glad you all love this little pearly flower too..thank you for your comments...im really drawn to its small, fine jewellery and i find its neatness really pleasing. Madsciencechik, im glad you agree about the age. It could be earlier, but im going for 1800 at least. Pattye, with dating...

Thank you, pearlfriends, for your views, I'm going to try and clean inside a bit more. It is pretty and I love the metallic colours, it has one 'good' undrilled side, so I just need to find a setting :-)

I thought id share one of my little beauties with you all...This little natural pearl and table-cut diamond brooch as been lying in its specially made silk-lined box for over two hundred years...that's how many generations, who have looked after it and kept it safe? Where has it been and where...

Hello PGers...As I'm doing the GIA course at the moment, I've been obsessively examining every pearl I come across, and this one has me stumped! It comes from a bag of 'old pearls' I've had 'knocking about' for some time and which i use for repairs. It is quite distinctively bluey/grey in...

What a cute brooch...it somehow looks really 'smiley'. Depends what type of glue, but first I'd try a little soak in quite warm water, and a wiggle to free the pearl.

Wow! What a beautiful collection...each of the pearls has its own personality.