Search results

I also gently rub the 2 earrings together to check for grittiness too. My guess too is that the hand knotted are imitation. The smaller ....I wonder why they aren't knotted.... but I am seeing some variation in the pearls. That is helpful to have the imitation to compare the possible real to...

Can the locket be removed? It seems like it might have been added? Have you tried gently rubbing 2 pearls together to see if they are gritty or smooth? They look "real" freshwater...because of the slight potato shape but, also look at the drill holes to see if there is build-up of paint or...

@Everland Here is my thought... as someone who will always have taste way above my ability to pay... eBay gently used is really fantastic...if you spend time HERE looking at really great pearls! High end jewelry often loses lots of value the moment someone buys it...use that idea and get a...

Thank you!

Welcome Shani!!! You need to check out Pattye's Etsy shop for thread, gimp (those metal spring ends) and tiny wire needles. I like Bella Findings for less expensive findings or close jump rings or Rhodium sliver... someone else will have to recommend the $$$ ones. BWeaves....Stunning look I...

The smart thing might be to get the findings first. It seems like the moment I am sure a finding will fit, it is too small. There are pearl drill reams that can make a hole slightly bigger (look on the Lowly Beaders threads) but filling a too big hole....jewelers might have tricks, maybe...or...

If you look around this forum... you will see a few "natural" pearls (one thread someone collected them) I happen to have 5-6 natural pearls that are from Victorian time...they are small and rather triangular. The Victorians used those few natural pearls well, but they are not particularly...

If those are imitation, can you see if any sort of paint coating has come off? Usually near the clasp or the drill holes. If it has coating, don't wash the "pearls" as they are coated and that coating tends to come off in chunks. If you can't see any coating coming off...try the microfiber...

Those are a lovely blue! I second the thanks to Pearl Dreams, your tutorial stringing is so very helpful!!!

I had a Majorica strand (it was marked) and I was surprised that it was gritty (The Fish scale coating, maybe?).... lovely reflections....but too perfect.

Thanks to you Pattye...those tiny needles of yours were the key!....and a 3rd try!

Thanks!!!

Thanks...I really love the color anyway.

Thanks I owe any & all of that knowledge to this forum!!! You all are amazingly kind!

This is type of pearl necklace so distinctive & to me classic, but I have never known the actual name. Is there are real name to this other than button pearl necklace? (Is "the Pearl Railroad" okay?)

These have a really interesting color and look really close to saltwater (including a lower grittiness). Clasp is 14k & I am a little surprised at the matching & graduation... as though they did not have enough big ones, yet the colors vary. Opinions on South Seas or freshwater? (Sorry about...

My humble opinion is Chinese freshwater, quickly drilled and not very expensive. Since China is the biggest producer by far of freshwater pearls... There also seemed to be a time when "natural" shaped (Called "baroque, potato, off-round," etc) cultured freshwater pearls was a big fashion trend...

It is done!!! Thanks BWeaves & Pattye!!! It was really tricky, but taught me so much. It is exactly what I wanted. I used the stringing both strands on 1 thread, then going back thru (With Pattye's tiny needles) and did the knotting. I really had to use math for the knots and do both...

They have a weird coating, which is probably why they are NOT gritty. I can't see the color variations like in natural shell. Learning tax.

I think all my other "Mabes" are actually Button pearls and they are gritty. I can't tell about these. The bottom of these are shell, but the top is NOT gritty and wierdly uniform. (There is some variation at the bottoms.). Are Mabe pearls gritty? (I would think so, even Tahitians are lightly...