Biwas?

[pearlescence]

These came from a seller located near lake biwa and via a regular customer. The lustre is sort of silky but very good, they are very clean even if freeform in shape - size between 1.mm and 6mm

I can see one or two in rings but I'm not excited at the thought of drilling 1mm pearls!

 

[pattye]

HMM, are they supposed to be vintage Lake Biwa pearls? I didn't think there was any production for many years. Seems more likely to be akoya keshi? Not fun to drill at all, yikes!

 

[AMc]

Not a fan of drilling pearls under 5mm, but I will if I have to! I can't even fathom 1.0mm drilling- ugh. But, I do love those baby pearls- they're so cute and delicate, they look so elegant on everything... Le Sigh.

Enjoy your haul- they're beautiful! I kinda like "the silky"

 

[pearlescence]

According to the info given to my customer/contact the lake is cleaning up and there are tentative efforts to re-start pearl farming. Though I think these are old stock.
Here's a pic of lake biwa (in the distance)

pearl farms always seem to be in very pretty places.

 

[LitGeek]

Lovely photos Wendy, thanks for sharing. I do hope the Lake Biwa pearl efforts are successful!

 

[Thelittlegemshop]

I don't envy your job at all. Good luck.