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Please post a photo of your interesting brooch, both front and back. It would be helpful to see the markings.

Welcome, Classicpearl. Yes, these look like Akoya pearls to me. I see a few typical blemishes and color consistent with vintage Akoya. Only a very small percentage of a pearl harvest will have perfect round and blemish free pearls. Personally, I prefer the less round and baroque pearls. The...

Wow, Barbara, your twin pearls are lovely! There would have been 2 mop nucleus inserted at the same time in the oyster which then grew together instead of separately. In PEARLS by Elizabeth Strack, describing part of the detailed Akoya grafting process: "In most cases, two nuclei are inserted...

It looks to me like the necklace was restrung with much heavier thread than the original strand would have had. I think that at this length Miki would have knots between each pearl. The larger knots here are possibly adding as much as 2 inches. I also suggest having restringing and repair...

Helen, I keep coming back to look at your fascinating small pearls. The large amount of "matter" makes me think this is a small natural pearl. One where the parasite that bored through the oyster shell wasn't completely absorbed. Perhaps the other pearls are the same? Although the lilac...

I agree with Ennui, Akoya pearls, how lovely to have a double strand! Looks like the silk is a bit dirty or maybe just a darker color but not stretched out. Are you thinking about restringing?

Welcome, hendohbb! Yes, you have a cultured freshwater necklace, with very good luster. Yes, I've seen where mabe pearls are cultured in heart shape. But I can't tell from the photo if this is a cultured mabe or imitation. Are there karat gold markings inside or anywhere on the locket? On...

Agreed, P&P, what a fun job! When you look down the holes, does the nucleus look dark? It's possible the pearls were irradiated to deepen the color. My thought is some kind of treatment.

Thinking seriously about taking this course ~ thanks for sharing the info, BWeaves.

Well! Christie's auctioned this extraordinary pearl and diamond necklace again in Nov. 2024 and it apparently sold for considerably less than the $5.1 million it brought about 10 years ago in 2015. We had a lively discussion going on back then! I'll see if I can add the current photos from the...

Tiger, well done! Much less contrast with Sky.

Welcome, Sanai, I was just coming to the same conclusion as BWeaves as I'm looking at the enlarged photos of your pearls. They appear to be imitation. Pearls seem to be noticed and commented more these days, so you must look lovely in them!

Shani, Welcome! You've found your Pearl Tribe! "Can you please tell me what the wire that goes through the earring pearl with the little ball on the bottom is called?" Probably you mean headpins. They come with balls, flat ends, and other fancier variations! Softflex beading wire is good to...

BWeaves, I remember when you were weaving your beautiful shawl; you wear it so well!

Tiger, such pretty pearls and excellent luster! I agree, Akoya for sure, I keep coming back to look at the color and wondering if the pearls have been irradiated (a harmless process) to deepen the color. That could explain the dark nucleus. The first blue Akoya I ever saw had been purchased...

Wow, A Breaker, you did a GREAT job ~ double strands can be a challenge and you created perfect balance!

Yes, Osmena, I agree with BWeaves. I haven't seen the drop shape before. Usually there are fine "ripple" lines on the tops that may show in person but perhaps don't show in these photos. Do you know if these are vintage?

Nothing quite like seeing these beauties in person! :love: