Do these appear to be genuine Tahitian?

[DylanKin]

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.
View attachment 473031

Yep, totally freshwater-those shapes and color give it away. Seller just doesn’t know.

 

[linda.wald]

I think that the eBay authenticity guarantee will just guarantee that they are pearls, not imitation. Cultured freshwater pearls will be considered authentic.

 

[DylanKin]

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.
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.
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Great advice . Thrift and estate sales are seriously underrated for pearls, especially if you know what you’re looking at. And +1 on the Pearls as One course - it’s an excellent resource and really sharpens your eye. Sounds like you’re doing a great service for the charity and feeding the pearl bug at the same time!

 

[A Breaker]

I think that the eBay authenticity guarantee will just guarantee that they are pearls, not imitation. Cultured freshwater pearls will be considered authentic.

eBay has the same authenticators for all jewelry...it is the luck of the draw where it gets sent. They verify real or not real pearls (maybe what kind, but I don't know) and the metal, size, color & anything else specified. But it has to be pretty expensive or Mikimoto or Tiffany to be give authenticity g. Personally...I would NOT count on a random authenticator to test South Seas, Tahitians or any other amazing pearl for me! I would post here and plan to return them based on the advice here. But still check the store, feedback & everything... contact the store, ask questions. There are a couple of fantastic pearl reselling stores that know what they are selling...some that are estate liquidators that seem to know their stuff too!

 

[A Breaker]

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.

Oh Pattye apply to authenticate Vintage Mikimotos with Silver clasps!!!! Get to see amazing pearls & fix the problem of x-raying silver rhodium plated Mikimoto clasps!!! (They can't pass anything unless it will x-ray & rhodium blocks x-rays) So a totally authentic Vintage Mikimoto w/paperwork will fail because of an x-ray machine!!! I had a long discussion with eBay...45 minutes!...but they just don't understand! I tried to get them to rewrite the rule so that Authentic Silver (S & SIL) Mikimotos should be accepted as their silver stamp being accurate...no x-ray needed. It is a $1-3 difference...no one cares about the metal! Their rule is the problem...Vintage Mikimotos came in rhodium plated silver to protect the much more valuable pearls!!! Sorry...I am still really mad! It is also why I have returned several "genuine jeweler authenticated" akoya pearl necklaces... they were faux..good faux, but not akoya pearls or even real pearls. (Yes...I am still learning what faux looks like in photos.)