Do these appear to be genuine Tahitian?

And here is another strand, also advertised as "Tahitian" with authentication, but this one is CLEARLY Freshwater...just look at the potato shapes and color. This seller also isn't aware that these are FW.
1743468572462.png
 
So true that many brick and mortar jewelers do not know much about pearls. Some have told me outright that I know more about pearls than they do.
Most jewelers just sell white FWP and akoyas.

Always feel free to ask about a listing here, before buying.
 
Thank you all so much for your time and wisdom! I’m very happy to have found this website and to start learning more about pearls
 
Pearl Dreams said:
So true that many brick and mortar jewelers do not know much about pearls. Some have told me outright that I know more about pearls than they do.
Most jewelers just sell white FWP and akoyas.

Always feel free to ask about a listing here, before buying.
Click to expand...
Are there any in the East Bay Area California that you could recommend me to visit to get information or opinions on pieces I already own? Or even to shop for a good deal. All my previous pearls have come from thrift stores, so the most I’ve ever spent on one strand has been $80
 
Freshpeachez said:
Are there any in the East Bay Area California that you could recommend me to visit to get information or opinions on pieces I already own? Or even to shop for a good deal. All my previous pearls have come from thrift stores, so the most I’ve ever spent on one strand has been $80
Click to expand...
You can post pictures of your pearls on this site to obtain information on them. Many people do this when finding pearls at thrift stores or estate sales, or inheriting them from relatives. Be sure to include the clasp front and back, some "inside" views of where the pearls attach to the knot of the thread/silk, any damage to any pearls and there will always be someone looking at those pictures and giving you more information. There is a wealth of information on this site about stringing pearls, washing pearls, storing pearls, and then, of course, the much more technical conversations about formation, structure, refractions and everything scientific! Enjoy looking around at all the various postings.
 
I actually help my local charity thrift store evaluate their pearls so they don't confuse the costume jewelry pearls with the real ones. Most of the real pearls that are donated are very simple, older Akoya strands and those aren't worth much more than $80-$150, unless they are Mikimoto or Tasaki. My evaluations help the store determine which to sell for a few dollars and which to sell for more. Sometimes a really nice strand comes in and those are given to another volunteer who puts them on EBay so the charity can make the appropriate amount of money. Keep shopping thrift stores AND don't forget Estate sales. Those can also offer some nice jewelry finds for very reasonable prices, especially pearls because these days those inheriting don't always want older pearls.

FYI there is a pearl course available that was written by the hosts of this forum. Go to: https://www.pearlsasone.org/
You can request a "Code" to take the course. Jeremy Shepherd has been known to give codes to people who ask nicely!
This course will REALLY help you grow in your knowledge of pearls...it was one of the most informative courses I've ever taken. If you'd ever like to see my pearls, go to the thread My Pearling Story and you can see some of my pearl journey as well as some of my best EBay and Other finds. I love to restring/rework pearl jewelry and help family and friends by restringing or helping them to learn to restring their vintage pearls. It's a fun creative outlet for me.

Enjoy searching this site, take the "Pearls as One" course, and be careful...you might turn into one of US...A True Pearl Enthusiast!
 
MotherOfPearlTrumpet said:
I actually help my local charity thrift store evaluate their pearls so they don't confuse the costume jewelry pearls with the real ones. Most of the real pearls that are donated are very simple, older Akoya strands and those aren't worth much more than $80-$150, unless they are Mikimoto or Tasaki. My evaluations help the store determine which to sell for a few dollars and which to sell for more. Sometimes a really nice strand comes in and those are given to another volunteer who puts them on EBay so the charity can make the appropriate amount of money. Keep shopping thrift stores AND don't forget Estate sales. Those can also offer some nice jewelry finds for very reasonable prices, especially pearls because these days those inheriting don't always want older pearls.

FYI there is a pearl course available that was written by the hosts of this forum. Go to: https://www.pearlsasone.org/
You can request a "Code" to take the course. Jeremy Shepherd has been known to give codes to people who ask nicely!
This course will REALLY help you grow in your knowledge of pearls...it was one of the most informative courses I've ever taken. If you'd ever like to see my pearls, go to the thread My Pearling Story and you can see some of my pearl journey as well as some of my best EBay and Other finds. I love to restring/rework pearl jewelry and help family and friends by restringing or helping them to learn to restring their vintage pearls. It's a fun creative outlet for me.

Enjoy searching this site, take the "Pearls as One" course, and be careful...you might turn into one of US...A True Pearl Enthusiast!
Click to expand...
I just began the course today! I recently watched a video on what not to look for when buying pearls that featured Jeremy and they provided a discount code to get the course for free. I'm so excited to learn more :giggle:
 
Freshpeachez said:
What do you think about these pearls? Genuine Tahitian? View attachment 473088
Click to expand...
Yep, these are genuine. Good colors even if the surfaces are not perfect. It's all what you can afford. I like this color range a lot! very nice.
Some of the knots appear to be starting to fray, so you'll most likely want to re-string them and clean them before restringing.
 
Pearl Dreams said:
Yes, they are nice, but I hope the seller has a photo showing all the pearls in the necklace!
I'd ask them to post one, if you are thinking of buying it.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice! I will be sure to ask.

How do you feel about this strand?

I found a company selling these "loose" strands and I'm considering purchasing one as they're cheaper and then I can practice knotting the pearls myself. They also sell "golden south sea pearls" in loose strands. Again, it seems too good to be true...now I'm skeptical of everything advertised online!

s-l960.webp
 
How do you feel about them? They have more or less uniformly dark gray body color and muted overtones. Is that what you want in Tahitians?
Do they make you happy? Always buy pearls that make you happy, or else they will be the ones you try to replace.

Do you feel free to share the name of the company? We can have a look and see if everything looks legit.
 
Late to the conversation ~ definitely these are dyed freshwater pearls. The shape and the blue-purple colors are the giveaway. I do find the authentication process ebay describes as peculiar. I have Gia pearls diploma, maybe I should apply to be an authenticator. I doubt the pearls are actually being sent to a GIA facility.

Pearl Dreams, your 3 strands are perfect examples of Tahitians vs freshwater.

My grandson (age 24) is an authenticator for high end Nike basketball shoes.

Here's my strand, 13mm, love them, imo, just as pretty as some more expensive pearls and in a range of colors you won't find in Tahitians.
It's gonna take me a min to add the photo as it's not on this computer.
IMG_4836.jpeg
 
Thank you, Pearl Dreams!

About 10+ years ago, Pearl Paradise offered extremely rare strands of blue Tahitians from Rikitea, a small town on Mangareva, which is part of the Gambier Islands in French Polynesia. Photos are posted here by fortunate forum members who own full strands. They can be found in a search ~
 
pattye said:
Late to the conversation ~ definitely these are dyed freshwater pearls. The shape and the blue-purple colors are the giveaway. I do find the authentication process ebay describes as peculiar. I have Gia pearls diploma, maybe I should apply to be an authenticator. I doubt the pearls are actually being sent to a GIA facility.

Pearl Dreams, your 3 strands are perfect examples of Tahitians vs freshwater.

My grandson (age 24) is an authenticator for high end Nike basketball shoes.

Here's my strand, 13mm, love them, imo, just as pretty as some more expensive pearls and in a range of colors you won't find in Tahitians.
It's gonna take me a min to add the photo as it's not on this computer.View attachment 473094
Click to expand...
Wow so pretty!! I’m definitely saving up for a nice strand from a reputable company. Returned the strand that started this post.
 
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