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I've never sent anything to the GIA for certification but I would think 30 days isn't a long enough turnaround time. Maybe unless you can take it there in person and pick it up in person, but even then...?

Let's page @Lagoon Island Pearls for his expert opinion. I am not an expert on natural pearls.

I guess I'm approaching this as a practical matter for you as a potential buyer. Are they returnable? If so, is the return window long enough to get them certified? If not, and if you bought them and sent them to the GIA and found out they were cultured, would you still be content with them...

The listing does not make the claim that they are natural (as opposed to cultured), nor does the $6,995 price tag lead one to think they are natural. If they were certified natural, they would be worth much more. The seller would know this. If you like them enough that you would want them even...

Maybe Rit fabric dye? I don't know whether it would damage the pearls, though. Or whether the dye might come off onto your clothing.

I think they are likely imitation pearls. Although peach color can be found naturally in freshwater pearls, those are very uniform in color, shape, size, luster etc. and the clasp looks imitation. However here are a few simple tests we recommend trying: 1. Rubbing test. Gently rub one of the...

Also I highly recommend taking a loupe along with you when going to estate sales. I always have one in my purse. You can get them on Amazon and they don't cost a lot. I suggest you post your jade photos on the Colored Gemstones forum on Pricescope.com for input from people more knowledgable...

If you have a loupe (10x magnifier) you can also look at the surface of the pearls. Real pearl nacre looks very smooth at 10x magnification, while imitation pearl coating looks more textured; coarser. This is a photo of Renee Newman's that shows the difference (top pearl is the fake one):

Welcome to Pearl Guide! Photos 1 and 2, look like imitation pearls. Photo 3, earrings, Chinese freshwater pearls; the color is natural. Photos 4, 7 and 8 (same piece?) Chinese freshwater pearls. No bead inside to make them round. Photos 5 and 6-- marked Coldwater Creek-- likely Chinese FWP...

LOL @BWeaves. I always have to have my eyeglass frames adjusted as my right ear is slightly higher. But then my left piercing is slightly higher, so it balances out...almost. :unsure: I still put whichever earring is longer-- or larger-- on my left ear.

Thanks for the book recommendation. I'm always up for a good pearl book. :)

We happened to be in a mall today so I popped into Michaels Jewelers (one of the better jewelry store chains in this area) to see if they had the new white FWP yet. Nada. They are still just getting the tissue nuked FWP. They had a 4mm FW necklace that they wanted $525 for! :eek: As if!

Assuming they are using luster treatments on these new bead nuked pearls, I wonder why there is such a difference in luster between the smaller and the larger strand in the OP's photo?

I wonder how long before these hit US stores? (Or maybe they already have?)

If you do decide to knot between the small ones, I'd use fine synthetic thread, such as PowerPro 10# test or Serafil #40. Both are stronger than fine silk, and easier to work with. I have used both when restringing small pearls. I expect as time goes on there will be more / better quality, new...

I'm not sure I would knot between the pearls in the smaller strand. They look cute the way they are. If you like the way they look on your neck right now, and are okay with the gold plated clasps, try wearing them that way for a while before deciding. I would not worry so much about rubbing...

Hmm, I just googled it and apparently the store has "pick a pearl" type akoyas. https://www.imaginetoexpedition.com/journal/akoya-pearls-epcot-walt-disney-world

Imitation pearls should not be priced like real pearls at retail, and vice versa. Akoya pearls are quite pricey now. So if the price is too good to be true...

Freshwaters can look a lot like Tahitians sometimes. It's good that you came to ask questions first.

Sometimes the camera can cause distortion at the extremes of an image, and maybe that is happening here, but the 3 pearls closest to the clasp appear somewhat egg shaped. Are they, or is that distortion? If they are oval that is a sign of freshwaters. If round, they could be Tahitians. The...