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CIBJO has been tasked! "Genuine SS Shell Pearl" reminds me of a souvenir stand when exiting the Ephesus ruins in Turkey a couple years ago, marquis stating "AUTHENTIC FAKE WATCHES." Apparently it was effective.

Just to be clear, this conversation has morphed from FW vs. SW to 'pearl' vs. 'shell pearl.' CIBJO (World Jewellry Confederation / Confédération Internationale de la Bijouterie, Joaillerie, Orfèvrerie des Diamants, Perles et Pierres) in its Pearl Blue Book purports to regulate every possible...

That is promising and perhaps a useful umbrella clause, but the descriptions apply to filled mabes, with no specific mention of a spherical NACREOUS 'shell pearl.' In all my years here, this is a new one. I do not visit eBay. (Admission of ignorance, as a plea for enlightenment.) Edit: In...

In reviewing the updated CIBJO Pearl Book (Nov 2024) I am not seeing this term addressed specifically under 'imitations of pearls', particiularly regarding ground and shaped shell nacre. This CIBJO update is enormous, obviously with Jeremy's significant contribution, with a lot of new material...

Nonetheless, unless there is a notable flaw on the backside it's an unusually symmetrical keshi. One must assume keshi considering the pearl's designated fate. But a CT analysis of the pearl in its acrylic tomb would be interesting!

Send the pearls to GIA. But if you have a buyer without need for a certificate, then save your money.

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...