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I agree, If you look near the clasp at least 1 of the beads has lost it's "pearl" coating. That also means, any moisture or sweat will likely make the beads lose their coating. Fun piece...not as much fun to wear...similar to glitter.

I haven't seen freshwater baroques that look like saltwater baroques...do post a photo!

Wow It is stunning. Europe used trombone clasps into the late 1930's. So it is possible the it was made for the European marked. I have several early WWII brooches from Europe that use the Trombone clasp. The Japanese at the time were very known for incredible silver work...so I'll bet there...

This is about the first brooch....of Bab4444..... I have seen some fakes and need to get my frustration out! So many "famous" jewelry is copied and it has been done as far back as ancient Egypt & Rome. My guess is that this Bab444 brooch is a copy. One thing to think about is that in the...

Well...you won't believe it, but I found a vintage Mikimoto piece with baroque pearls! Crazy.

Thanks Douglas!!! I am going to try it...but it has gotten pushed down on the list...house issues just took first place. More fun to play with pearls!

I guess I am wondering if hair peroxide 3% is what is used. (It is slightly drying on my hair, but wonder the drying on pearls) Instead of the lower % of wound cleaning? I do hate to ruin strands...but it is only 1 strand and I have enough to risk 1 strand. More thoughts on the peroxide drying?

I normally enjoy vintage akoyas, but I have a strand that are so "dirty yellow" that I might enjoy them if they were less yellow or brown.

Etsy has some common drill hole sizes among pearl sellers. often there are 2-3 choices plus oversized or large size.

I saw someone post a bleaching akoyas photo. Just wondering if it would be possible to do that with very yellowed vintage pearls? I know they polish with walnut shells after. I happen to have walnut polishing shells & a polisher. Would bleaching work? What is the strength of the peroxide...

My suggestion is that you look at the places on this forum that people buy from. Show them a photo of what you like and ask what they would use to make it. Personally, if you are going to use twine, go with CZ & Silver. If you are going to use diamonds & gold, go for a safety clasp of some...

Give us your best tips on "lowly beaders" forum! Love to learn more!

Laughing.... I have all sorts of variations for a variety or reasons..some historic reasons, some current reasons. The price of gold, the price of pearls, historic tariffs, current tariffs, jewelers skills, location of pearls and clasps. I understand why people look to hand knotted as higher...

I agree..the clasp is Mikimoto both on front & back. I would guess that it is original with the box, but that is a guess. I can't see the Mikimoto pearls well enough to tell quality.

One thing to add...since you have a bracelet & necklace set... some people here have hooked both the necklace & bracelet together to make a longer necklace.

Pearl Dreams has great ideas! .... I have even seen Majorica for sale at antique stores so that might be another option, if they consign? Ebay is generally going to give you more if you can do it.

Actually graduated strands are making a come back...restring & wear or pass it on to the younger ones now to wear.

Not worth insuring seperately..add it to you jewelry list with note that they are sentimental.. Pearl Dreams advice on restringing...is the BEST advice.

I echo Pearl Dreams, but will add... insurance will take your word for replacement value.... I look at eBay for price (Mikimoto appraisal won't help that much if everything is gone ...which often includes the paperwork) moving & hurricanes taught me that. Check your cap & if they have a price...

I have seen "loved to pieces" real pearls and they don't look anything like peeling imitations. The worn down real ones look like someone took sand paper to them... so different than peeling. Some great condition imitations are hard to tell from real...but so few that are that well stored!