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As an aside on the A1 pearls I saw, I had brought my then-new Freshadamas (PP's highest end non-bead nucleated FWP) to compare. The luster of the A1s was similar to that of the Freshadamas.

At Bailey Banks & Biddle I saw Miki A1 grade pearls (which was the grade lower than A). Don't know if they are now called A-.

The pearls in photo #1 and #4 look exactly like baroque cultured freshwater pearls from China. Could you be mistaken about the source of these?

They don't look like any SSP I've ever seen, and the size also makes it more likely they are FWP. The clasp is an ordinary fishhook style clasp still being used today.

Those are baroque freshwater pearls. Baroque freshwater pearls are the most common pearls; their value is low compared to other pearls, but they are all nacre and are very durable. Given that the pearls are inexpensive and the clasp is apparently base metal, I think it's safe to assume those...

Pearl Paradise for me. I've bought a lot from them and nothing from the other.

They look a little off round. I'm thinking FWP, not bead nucleated.

I'm thinking the pearls were over-processed at the factory and thus damaged. I'd say they are ruined. Or they may have been exposed to other chemicals that damaged them, if they are not new.

I think only their AAA grade would be noticeably more lustrous, but the price tag...!

I can't answer all your questions but they do sound like akoyas.

Photos are always helpful! We prefer them photographed on white/neutral background, no flash, good focus.

They are either akoyas or fake. Have a closer look at the pearl I marked in this photo (photo #9). The area in the circle-- look at it with a magnifier (preferably a loupe or 10x magnifier.) Is that an area of eroded nacre, or what? Eroded nacre with shell bead visible underneath = akoya. Or...

I hope you will post photos after they have been cleaned and restrung!

Thanks for the photos! Those graduated akoya necklaces were sold in Japan during the WWII/Korean War era. Servicemen would buy them to give to their wives and sweethearts. Because they were graduated in size, they cost less than a strand with pearls all the same size (since pearls are sold by...

@00 owl, Yes, follow this link to the Natural Pearls forum: https://www.pearl-guide.com/forums/natural-pearls.27/post-thread

Hi @00 owl, It would be best if you start a new thread about your pearls so that replies on this thread can be addressed to the original poster, @mneese87.

Value-- I think of 3 kinds: sentimental value, replacement value, and resale value. I'm sure the pearls have great sentimental value-- that is often the greatest value of inherited pearls. We cannot tell you the current replacement value (i.e. for insurance purposes). To do that you would have...

I don't think that's a pearl.

I also suggest checking with Pearl Paradise. Jeremy and Hisano are very helpful.

Haha, no-- but I had an amethyst (my birthstone) ring that I wore daily, and not for hard jobs like gardening, either. The stone got all scratched up.