Freshwater kind?

[Dan678]

Looking for more info about these pearls. Found necklace and bracelet at an estate sale. Clasps says 925 RFS, they are gritty etc. Have colder vibe for a few seconds when held. Let me know what you think. Paid $2 for them.
Cheers!
Dan

 

[Pearl Dreams]

You got it right! They are dyed cultured freshwater pearls from China. The dye is stable. The pearls are tissue grafted, no bead inside, so very durable.
Will you wear them?

 

[Dan678]

You got it right! They are dyed cultured freshwater pearls from China. The dye is stable. The pearls are tissue grafted, no bead inside, so very durable.
Will you wear them?

No won’t wear them, I look like a hobbit irl or early 2000s Jack Black. Probably see if my Ma wants them or sell for a few bucks if the sliver is real. I’m always finding sliver but first time finding real pearls. It’s interesting that they are dyed, is it to mimic more valuable ones or just for added decoration? Thanks for responding.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

It tends to be lower quality FWP that were dyed. But many unscrupulous sellers advertise them as Tahitians, which are saltwater pearls of much greater value. You'll see this on eBay quite often.

 

[jshepherd]

They aren't fine pearls, but for $2, you got a steal of a deal!

 

[Dan678]

They aren't fine pearls, but for $2, you got a steal of

How would I figure the worth, go get them tested at a store like sliver or gold? Was figuring near $50, unsure. They are gritty like in a tv show where they rub them on their teeth, real cool. Not that I did that lol

 

[Pearl Dreams]

No, sorry, I don't think they are worth that much, used. As a general rule pre-owned pearls don't hold their value unless they are a famous brand like Mikimoto or unless someone famous or historically important owned them.

Also, freshwater pearls are the most common pearls there are-- eBay is flooded with them.

What we usually recommend is to do a search on eBay for SOLD pieces like the ones you have-- and see what they actually sold for. That will give you your best estimate of what they are likely to bring if you sell them.

A used item is only "worth" what someone will pay for it.

Pearls don't have intrinsic value like precious metals.

 

[Dan678]

No, sorry, I don't think they are worth that much, used. As a general rule pre-owned pearls don't hold their value unless they are a famous brand like Mikimoto or unless someone famous or historically important owned them.

Also, freshwater pearls are the most common pearls there are-- eBay is flooded with them.

What we usually recommend is to do a search on eBay for SOLD pieces like the ones you have-- and see what they actually sold for. That will give you your best estimate of what they are likely to bring if you sell them.

A used item is only "worth" what someone will pay for it.

Pearls don't have intrinsic value like precious metals.

Oh that’s interesting, I guess the pearl is like used clothes not like precious stones which is how I viewed them lol, the silver clasps probably have some value. Thanks for taking the time to explain. It’s been fun to read up on how pearls are farmed sorted and even dyed. Cheers!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Just as there are lower and higher quality/priced gems, there are lower and higher quality/priced pearls.

An untreated, vivid color true red ruby can be very expensive indeed, and in larger sizes can be quite rare, but a glass-filled ruby is just about worthless. Yet they are sold, and people buy them.

A large, lustrous, clean surface and perfectly round south sea pearl can be very costly. Non-round dyed freshwaters--not so much.

Gold and other precious metals are traded at the going spot price-- right this moment the price of gold is $4306.59 per oz.
Pearls are not traded that way.

Gold is very durable. And 24K gold is 24K gold is 24K gold.
Pearls are organic, and vulnerable to wearing down, being scatched etc. Also, every pearl is unique.

It's hard to compare things that are so different.

But yes, clasps marked 925 should be sterling silver, and fine silver is trading right now at $63.69/oz (sterling is 925/100 so is not fine silver, but close.) So they are objectively worth something.