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My husband needed to pick a secret word for me for some military thing.....he announced that I would know it instantly.."coffee?" "No, more valuable that that"... "something you love"... the truth is, I love so many things... He finally is tried of waiting and announces "Mikimoto!" I...

I never ever see local pearls...but this is a tragic story!!! The guy has the strand with the wax seal & paper tags...even the receipt...but lost the clasp, if they get strung they will no longer be Mikimoto!!! Makes me want to cry! Unworn, unloved....

I stumbled upon and old NOAA 1949 report of Pearl Culture in Japan... They were able to interview some of the big names that were still alive and get some very interesting facts. I am including a link, in case someone wants the read the whole thing. Some of it is production tables and...

Sorry this is a far away photo......but they are such an unusual color...I am afraid I can't get the color well in a photo. Would they be natural, dyed or cobalt (treated...I can't remember what happens there.) What color would you call it? It does have more green & purple in real life. I...

I know these are dyed freshwater...but they had gook on them and I washed them to find out that the dye was not only coloring the soap & water...it left blue dye stains on the paper towel I was drying them on. So I washed them 14 more times.... (Twice a day, plus soaking for 7 days.). The dye...

Please give my your best guess...Akoya or Faux??? I think they are akoyas, but they only have grit on my teeth, not when I rub them together. I have this same problem on tiny akoyas near the clasp in those graduated 13 oz vintage akoyas. (So it isn't helping!) They have the look of akoyas...

I am trying to understand this clasp...it is vintage...but how does it work? Would it be adjustable? While I am asking..would these be dyed?

First I thought these would be lots smaller. (these are over 9-10mm)..but I was buying by the color...which is Not showing up...a blue grey with variations (which also isn't showing)...that makes my heart sing! I suspect they are dyed freshwater...but I was hoping saltwater when I saw them in...

Show me your easy clasps. This is for elderly, but it needs to good!

Sweet Father-in-law bought my mother-in-law her an akoya necklace as a first anniversary gift...She took them to a jeweler for restringing in Alaska in the 90's...he told her to forget it. Wasn't worth restringing...broke her heart..she just put them away... Somehow I never mentioned I...

Sorry for the horrible photos! I can tell they are Akoyas, but they seem so uniform color... I am guessing dyed? I can usually tell dyed freshwater..there is always dye build-up somewhere. But these are harder. Any tips on telling dyed Akoyas?

So...I have Tahitians needing a gold earring post & ruined faux pearls. I want to remove the faux pearl and glue on lovely Tahitians. Would you try Acetone? or Attack? (If not one knows, I will try the milder acetone, if that does NOT work, then attack.)

Anyone ever had a Japanese brooch catch fixed? It is missing it's inside toggle switch, that looks like 2 rabbit ears. I have several extra toggles (rabbit ears) but normally this is just a pressure fit...this one seems to have bars holding the sides together. Any hope?

As I have been enjoying learning about pearls and ones that I like...I found that I love brooches as pendant/clasps. These aren't perfect...I need to figure out a little better catch system. Have you ever tried this and any thoughts or ideas to make this easier or better? Blue Akoyas with blue...

This is a new maker's mark to me. I am very sure it is from Japan & the pearls are Akoya. Any idea who would have had this mark?

I just saw this. I think it is very clever...since this is only a representation...I wonder how good they all look? (I am NOT buying it...just sharing the idea & wondering.). But what on earth could the yellow be? It is called Mother of Pearl...hmm? What does everyone think of the idea?

A friend has lost an akoya pearl from her 3 pearl ring and needs it repaired. She thinks I might be able to repair it. Although I repair lots of pearl stuff, I am not sure about a ring. I am not sure I even have a pearl that will fit & match, but the bigger problem is getting the pearl to...

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...

This clasp doesn't have a safety catch (I think it broke off..from the hole). Anyone have experience with clasps coming apart? Do you think I can still use it on less expensive vintage pearls? My mother told me that "pearls have a safety catch so toddlers won't ruin your necklace." I realize...

Anyone know this maker's mark?