Search results

I would definitely restring them. Silk becomes weak when i is old and grimy, and can break. The clasp can be cleaned while it is off the strand. You can clean it with a small, soft brush (like an eyebrow brush-- or the brush that comes with jars of liquid jewelry cleaner--but don't use the...

Cultured baroque akoya pearls and a mabe pearl on the clasp. On my computer the pear shaped stones are the color of garnets. I can't tell if the round stones are black or if that's just a patina of grime. I don't see any gold marks and would have expected to see them on the back of the clasp or...

Cultured freshwater pearls from China. The colors are natural.

@J.lee, Maybe you could get your hubs some Tahitians too-- convert him! (My DH loves his Tahitians.)

New Mikis are very good quality. Vintage Mikis may or may not still be in very good shape. Not everyone cares for their pearls properly, and even if they do, skin acidity takes its toll on nacre over time. Buying pre-owned pearls is a bit of a crapshoot no matter the brand, unless you can see...

I read on Pricescope that in Japan Mikimoto calls their top grade pearls "Best of the Best", while in the USA the company uses "AAA" for their top grade earrings and "Reserve" for their top grade strands. The brand means something to some people. I think that is clearly the case. And no...

Kamoka has lovely pearls, and they run a sustainable farm. Kudos to them! Like many vendors they use studio lighting / light box which shows the overtone colors more vividly than you are likely to see in ordinary light. I have some Kamoka pieces; I like some more than others. Buying enough...

Perhaps the best Mikis are the best of the best. But not all their lower grades, lovely as they are, or "best" doesn't mean anything. ;)

Akoyas are more likely if that is the size.

The other day I took this shot of my 8mm Majorica necklaces, one is 16" with a vermeil clasp and the other is 18" with a silver clasp. The 16" strand has a slightly pinked look; the other does not. I don't think the camera caught that in this photo. Outdoors, sunny day. As I do not own lustrous...

Grittiness is indeed one test that sometimes fails because it varies between pearls-- even between fake pearls-- and the observation of a feeling of grittiness is somewhat subjective. And yes, grime on the pearl can make it feel not-smooth. Also, real pearls may have been coated with something...

Real pearls, possibly bead nucleated freshwaters. :)

Hard to say, but if they take returns the risk is low and they may be nice.

There is no urgency in finding a Tahitian strand that you love. Take your time. You will find one.

Think about this: If you buy these, will they be the strand to replace with something better? I did that with my first strand. I bought 7-8 mm when I really wanted 8-9 mm (but could not afford that size at the time.) Unless you really desire Tahitians that are that small and that poorly...

Chinese FW, dyed, no question. The color is way off for Tahitians.

The pearl necklace in her photo and the appraisal does not appear to be the same one as in the Imperial ad photo. The number of pearls is wrong (49 vs. 51 in the ad) as well as the appearance of the pearls (the Imperial ones look better), if you scrutinize them. 7-9mm is small for a Tahitian...

Scratch marks? What I was referring to is more like this image. I don't know the source but will try to find it: Edit: The photo is Renee Newman's. Fake pearl on top, real below.

Pattye is a treasure!

I took a look at their strands just now. I think they must be using a light box /studio lighting to bring out the overtones. Many sellers of Tahitians do that, and that is okay-- the colors are really there so it isn't deceptive-- but you have to realize that they may not look like that in most...