Sorry if that question seems personal I'm just bouncing an
that popped off not wanting financial advice just experience in the field from someone else's perspective ty
Found pearls that belonged to great grandmother do they look real Ty in advance
- Thread starter rapid707
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that popped off not wanting financial advice just experience in the field from someone else's perspective ty
Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
Pearls are not good investments. They should only be bought for one's own enjoyment.
In general, pearls do not hold their value on resale. A famous brand like Mikimoto may hold its value better than generic pearls but even so, from what I see on eBay, people are buying them used because they cost so much less than new.
Historic pearls-- that would be a different story. I imagine Marie Antoinette's pearls have appreciated quite a lot.
In general, pearls do not hold their value on resale. A famous brand like Mikimoto may hold its value better than generic pearls but even so, from what I see on eBay, people are buying them used because they cost so much less than new.
Historic pearls-- that would be a different story. I imagine Marie Antoinette's pearls have appreciated quite a lot.
Sums it up perfectly thank you so much.ill stay away from that option lol unless I come across a historical piece in my dreams lol great chat thank you have a great Christmas and New year
Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
You too!
ennui
Well-known member
Yes, but I suspect part of that is because they were hers and not necessarily the pearls themselves.
The only other famous pearl I can think of that has appreciated is La Peregrina, formerly owned by Elizabeth Taylor. Part of its value is also historical significance.
The secret to appreciating jewelry is to become very famous.
Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
For sure! However, they were natural pearls, which could appreciate for that reason alone.Yes, but I suspect part of that is because they were hers and not necessarily the pearls themselves.
The only other famous pearl I can think of that has appreciated is La Peregrina, formerly owned by Elizabeth Taylor. Part of its value is also historical significance.
The secret to appreciating jewelry is to become very famous.
Even Jackie Kennedy's fake pearls sold for a lot of money. The Franklin Mint bought them at auction, and made replicas to sell.
ennui
Well-known member
Kenneth Jay Lane also sold the Jackie necklace on QVC. I have that one, box, romance card, etc.
Actually it isn't sneaky...it is the history of Japan and trade. Japan was rather closed to trade until post WWII...then they sold pearls to certain groups only (a peace agreement). So pre-WWII and even some post...the easiest way to get a pearl necklace was to use man made pearls...but the USA had gold! So faux pearls & gold were typical. In Japan they had master silversmiths & akoya pearls...so real pearls with silver clasps were the norm. It just makes it super confusing for Americans. Also, I'll bet they went with the box...which says "hand polished culteva" not "cultured." I would expect the word "cultured" for real pearls. Also: I have usually seen 2 smaller pearls next to the clasp on faux pearls...never real...might have been a good tell for jewelry clerks who maybe worked with both?
The big problem is that fashions come & go. 10 years ago, a pearl restringing company talked about that they could not sell graduated vintage akoyas...that people did Not want to restring them even...but in the last 2 years...they are getting lots of restringing orders & any estate ones fly off the shelf. So hitting the right time to sell your pearls would be a challenge. You might have just the right pearls as you retire or you might NOT. But Gold also goes up & down in value too. Great pearls will always be valuable...but finding a buyer & price you want at the time you want to sell them??????
Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
Also, the skyrocketing price of new akoyas may be leading some buyers to seek estate pieces.
If one can't afford new, buy used....
Another reason I would strongly advocate against buying pearls as an investment - the have a high moisture content (approximately 3-4% if I remember correctly) and can become brittle and lose luster if stored unworn, or exposed to very bright lights, or experience extreme and sudden temperature changes. Your investment could become worthless with bad storage.
Also, like colored gemstones, it takes an experienced eye to differentiate what makes a stone valuable. Which means that reputable dealers can command an order of magnitude higher price than the guy off the street. So you’re buying high, and if the market has amazing gains, you’re lucky if you break even.
Please don’t put any of your portfolio in passion investing unless you actually have a passion for the subject.
Another little itsy bitsy thing: Bleached Akoyas yellow and you might find that is not a color that sells in the future. I have seen stunning akoyas from the 40's-50's, but if they are out of style in some way...you will have a hard time selling them, when you need the $$$. Even Gold prices varies. One person thought the yellowing was bad storage...No...just age...so even good storage...age happens!
I just can across an interesting fact.
The French Court paid 150,000 livres for a three strand pearl necklace. Presumably Marie Antoinette’s. A livre was valued at 1 lb of silver.
So, MA’s necklace sold for 2.3 million, and the pendant 36 mil. 150,000 pounds of silver was worth 76 million last July.
So even historic natural pearls owned by queens haven’t kept up with inflation
