Beautiful pearl from a Victorian stick pin

[Roshioshi]

Hello all!

I have this orange / peach color pearl from a Victorian stick pin I acquired at a garage sale. I’ve seen a lot of pearls but this one almost looks translucent, it’s scratchy against the tooth like a normal pearl, but the color and iridescence have me wondering if it’s some kind of pearl I’ve never seen before. I took it out of the pin due to the pin causing discoloration / reaction on the pearl. Thanks for looking and any insight!

 

[CortezPearls]

An interesting find!
I feel like I don't know what I am looking at...is it a translucent pearl? Is it an imitation pearl?
I feel quite unsure! Would love to have it in my hands!

 

[Roshioshi]

I agree! It looks golden / orange, it’s gritty against the tooth, yet has glass like shine, it’s very old, a mystery !

 

[Roshioshi]

Here is another photo from a bit further back

 

[jshepherd]

It doesn't shine like a pearl. It looks more like glass or stone, especially in the solo photos showing the light reflection clearly.

 

[CortezPearls]

Exactly that is why it's such a mystery. It looks like a glass bead of sorts, yet the shape reminds me of a pearl.
There are these odd Pen shell pearls that look a bit like this...
I don't know I would really have to see it up close & personal.
Do you have a UV lamp???

 

[Roshioshi]

Yes I do, what should I do?

 

[CortezPearls]

Well, if it is a pearl it should fluoresce. I would say in blue.
Just place it on a dark background (cloth) and shine the lamp on it. See how it reacts. If you have a pearl (white one) place it next to this one. The comparison will help.
If it does not fluoresce...not a nacreous pearl, but it could be another kind (clam) or an imitation.
Many other examinations can be done..does it have a drill hole? I did not see any.

 

[CortezPearls]

But the more I see the item, the more I have to agree with jshepherd
I'm thinking that the groove I see on the item was caused by the jewelry setting, not an actual "ring" as seen on pearls.

 

[Roshioshi]

If it is glass, would it still feel gritty when rubbed against my tooth? It feels exactly the same as my other pearls, so odd!

 

[jshepherd]

If it's old, it probably isn't a smooth stone. The photo in your hand does look like it could be a pearl, but the other reflective photos show something that isn't. You see clear surface reflection but no depth or diffraction. An old pearl would have a diffused reflection, not a glass-like reflection.

Here is an example of an old pearl ring.
https://www.karipearls.com/antique-natural-4-ct-freshwater-pearl-platinum-diamond-ring.html

The second photo is a pretty classic example of what real natural pearl look like.