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18th century for example. For a true miracle, look to that woman from Herculaneum who preserved a pearl brooch from antiquity in her petrified bosom. No provenance problems there, although a Strontium measurement (SW vs. FW) would be of intetest. Raj it seems you've had a lot of fun developing...

Raj, There is no substitute for certification by a reputable gem lab. Please let us know the results.

Appears to be an unusually elongated and attractive South Seas (P. Maxima) drop. Also appears unlikely to contain a bead nucleus. Do you have any more details from that auction catalogue?

For pearls with a shiny/iridescent surface (commonly known as 'nacre'), there is no way to be sure of natural origin except through detailed analysis and certification by a gem lab specialized in pearls. In any case, such pearls cannot be faked through carving of shell. For pearls with a...

It is most likely carved from shell. If it is a pearl it is a garden variety clam species, without aesthetic merit. I amend my earlier advice, even if it proved to be a pearl—in this case natural as there is no such thing as cultured clam pearls—its value would not justify the lab report expense.

Saleem, Welcome to the forum. You did not attach the photos, but it isn't necessary. It is assumed from your description that it is an attractive and symmetrical pearl. If the method of acquisition gives you good reason to believe it is natural, then yes 100% you must send it for...

Specifically, that the definition of 'nacre' as the iridescent result of stacked aragonite platelets is too narrow. It must rather refer to the smooth interface between shell material and mollusk. Whether iridescent, porcelanous or (in this case) metallic in appearance becomes irrelevant...

A contact in Indonesia has shown me a parcel of pearls from the Placuna Placenta, family Placunidae, popularly known as the 'Windowpane Oyster' for its translucent shell traditionally used as a stand-in for glass in its native breeding areas. As can be seen, the pearls appear distinctly...

Platinum-smithing was introduced well before the cultured era, in the late 1800s. So probably natural, the doubt being FW or SW. @barbaradilek's Scotland location, assuming that is where the piece was acquired, would favor the former. Interesting application of seed pearls!

I am not a trade member here, but my assumption is that you should be looking at "all of the above." You are evidently already in the jewelry trade so those familiar surroundings would offer an opportunity to create a résumé for pearls. For credentials going forward, an internship (or position...

Thanks so much Marianne and Pattye! The necessity of adapting the too-short strand to our needs inspired out-of-the-box thinking, a creative process nearly matching the strand itself (although timing could have been better from a gold-price standpoint). The various clips and hinges result in a...

Promise this is the final one, or risk turning this into a gold findings thread. Here a 13.5mm hinged connector ring becomes the new center for the extender, opening the range of possibilities to pendants without hinged bails. A golden extravaganza!

Looks great!

Jeg, Cat Ba cable car towers were in place in 2018, the entire course is 21kms, an incredible project said to be 100% graft by members of 'the Party.' The boats must now be taking some circuitous route to avoid seeing them. But on balance if it helps reduce boat traffic that would probably be a...

You have the advantage. We haven't seen clear enough photos to determine back vs. front vs. top vs. bottom, mostly the pearl appears to be uniformly lustrous under varied lighting conditions, with an attractive creamy-orange color. There was that one apparent missing section of the top surface...

Glad to see pendant vs. the shell ring, especially as the pearl seems relatively clean on all sides. The cage is too distracting, something more delicate would do more justice to the pearl. White metal would be my choice also.

Jeg, did you take the Cat Ba Cable Car out to the islands? They were just building that when we were there 6-7 years ago. Farms definitely have to be outside the bay and main tourist areas, the massive number of tourist boats and junks create a complete environmental disaster in the main bay...

Your certificate follows the example of the specimen I posted above, and confirms that Melo Yellow is a natural non-nacreous pearl, untreated in any way. Likewise, it confirms that it may be referred to as a ‘Melo’ pearl. It is a very nice pearl and you have a good plan for it. And at 6.8...

GIT website with description of services posts a sample certificate that coincidentally certifies a "Melo" pearl. The methods and terminology are consistent and professional, so no problem. The most important detail is under Treatments. "No indication of treatments" means no working, shaping...

I'm not aware of their level of expertise with pearls vs GIA, can you post the certificate?