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Color is really a matter of personal preference, of whether you like the way they look on your own skin. It's true that pearls tend to become a bit yellowed over time, but some pearls are just more cream colored from the start. I prefer whiter pearls because they look better with my skin...

The eggy shapes ...dyed freshwater pearls.

Just as well it wasn't you who bought them!

Dyed freshwaters, not Tahitians.

Quahog pearls can be pricey. I am not an expert on quahogs, but in general, beautiful purple colors are more valuable than white, and with pearls in general round shaped pearls are preferred to non-round shapes. But many non-round quahogs fetch a good price! Also, surface quality matters. Are...

Looks like a quahog pearl-- congrats! Nice find!

If the bright blue color in the first photo is what you see with your eye, then I think it's likely dyed.

Such a summery looking short necklace! :)

@DBQMary, in case you don't know, Cees (pronounced "case") is Cees Van Oije and you can find him on his Instagram page. I actually bought my GSS from him also. He's very helpful and has lovely pearls.

I had a problem with a somewhat flat, oval clasp that was smaller than the adjacent pearls flipping. I replaced it with a spherical clasp the size of the pearls adjacent to it. End of problem. I think if you have a flat clasp, it will tend to flip. The shape is the problem.

Fake strands always have some repeating shapes. I don't see that in your strand. The surface blemishes in that strand are also those of real pearls. Those aren't fake. And please don't try to scratch the pearls!!! My goodness! :eek: For future reference, here are a few simple tests to tell...

If you are interested in learning more about pearls, you may enjoy taking the Pearl Association of America's "Pearls As One" course. I'll DM you a code to take it for free. Then when you are ready to buy your next pearls (it's hard to stop at one!) you will be a well-informed buyer. ;) Here is...

I would consider that reasonable, yes. Enjoy them in good health for years to come!

They look like baroque south sea pearls, not freshwaters. The shapes and surface characteristics help keep the cost more affordable. I have baroque SSP also and love them. :)

Recently we visited a local jeweler to have the battery replaced in my husband's watch. He told us that most of his business now is repairs, because of the price of gold. :(

I can only speak for myself but I would never buy vermeil pearl jewelry nor pay for custom design with vermeil. I have used vermeil findings (as well as gold filled) for beaded jewelry I've made for myself, but my experience is that tarnishing does occur. Removing it risks wearing away the...

Your instincts are correct-- not Mikimoto. Nothing about them is of the quality of Mikimoto pearls. Not the pearls, not the clasp, not the Mikimoto mark, and not the way it is finished. The clasp may not even be gold-- if gold, it should be marked 14K, 18K etc. Definitely avoid!

Oh, and "PAT" refers to patent.

The 1st and 2nd photos-- yes, fake pearls. 3rd and 4th -- "rice krispie" pearls-- cultured freshwater pearls from China, created by the mussel Cristaria plicata (Cockscomb mussel). These were common in the 1970s and 1980s. All the rest: dyed cultured freshwater pearls from China cultured in...