Help Identifying Baroque Pearl Necklaces & Earrings from Estate Safe Deposit Box

[Naecedes]

I recently acquired some pearl jewelry from a auction of unclaimed safe deposit box contents. The boxes had been unclaimed by
the owner for more than 3 years from the date on which the lease or rental period expired.
According to auction house, alol items have been appraised by a certified appraiser.
The lot description included:

• A) Graduated triple strand of large baroque pearls with a sterling silver floral clasp (lengths approx. 16”, 15.5”, and 15”). It also came with three loose pearls that match the necklace.
• B) Matching 14kt yellow gold screw-back earrings with double baroque pearls. Weight: 4.9 grams total.
• C) A single strand of baroque pearls measuring 27” long with a 14kt yellow gold clasp.

I’ve attached photos of the pearls, clasps (showing the Sterling and 14K marks), the earrings, and the loose pearls.

My questions for the group is

1. Do these look like natural, saltwater cultured, or freshwater cultured pearls?
2. What time period/era might you place these in?
3. Any thoughts on an approximate value range today, either as a set or separately

I realize only an X-ray exam would give absolute certainty, but I’d love to hear your expert insight. Also, how would I go about caring for them and possibly cleaning, etc.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

The pearls look like baroque cultured akoyas to me.

What we generally recommend to people who are wondering about the potential resale value of pearls is this: Do a search on eBay for similar items that have already sold. That will give you an idea of what people are willing to pay for such items today.

Screw back earrings are less common now than they used to be, but the clasps of the strands do not see particularly dated. However the pearls seem to have yellowed, which tends to be seen in older pearls. Yellowing is not reversible. It can happen over time just because nacre absorbs things -- skin oils, cosmetics, pollution from the air. Another thing that damages nacre is storing them in a dry environment-- like a safe deposit box. Nacre needs moisture to remain in top condition.

Unfortunately pearls do not tend to hold value on resale. Gold findings help, though, given how high the price of gold is now.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

One more thing: Priced right I think they would sell, if that is your goal.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

As to care, If you plan to keep and wear them, I strongly urge you to clean and restring them. We can tell you more about this if you like.
And store them away from other jewelry that could scratch them.

 

[Naecedes]

Thank you, I really appreciate your response. To be honest, I haven’t decided yet, I actually would like to keep these pearls, as I admire older and more unique pieces. However, I don’t have any history on them and was wondering if anyone might know or if there is even a way to find that out. Also, since I’m not much of an expert on pearls, I’d love any advice on how best to care for them so I can preserve them properly. They were stored in a deposit box for several years so I’m assuming, that wasn’t much help to them.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I think it may be hard to get any specific information on them as they seem pretty generic.

So, here is what I would do with them.

If you decide to sell them, I would at last wipe them clean with a damp microfiber cloth so they would photograph better. Grime obscures luster. Also, take really good photos against a white or light neutral background, with lots of close ups. The photos don't show the pearls well. And dark backgrounds just swallow up luster.

I would not pay to have them restrung if you decide to sell. The cost could exceed what you might get for them, or at least reduce your profit considerably. But you have to realize that buyers will factor the cost of restringing them into what they are willing to pay. You could restring them yourself, of course, but I would not personally do that if selling.

If keeping them, absolutely clean and restring them-- old silk is weak and can break. They will look much better when cleaned and restrung! To clean them, give them a bath in some distilled water with a bit of mild soap added. Let them sit in the soapy water 15 minutes or so, then gently wipe them clean with a soft cloth and/or a swab or soft brush in hard to reach areas. Then rinse with more distilled water, and lay them to dry on a soft clean towel.
Why distilled water? To avoid both chlorine and hard water minerals that can leave a dulling film on the pearls when combined with soap (I learned this the hard way.)

To restring, have a look at my tutorial, or check out videos posted on our Lowly Beaders Club. Lots of us restring our pearls. I restrung 2 necklaces just yesterday-- it isn't hard, nor expensive, and you don't need fancy tools.

Stringing Tutorial with photos: Stringing on Serafil, Beaders Secret & Power Pro (https://www.pearl-guide.com/threads/stringing-tutorial-with-photos-stringing-on-serafil-beaders-secret-power-pro.6604/)

 

[Pearl Dreams]

The best way to preserve them is to wear them! Don't just stick them in a drawer! As I mentioned above, nacre likes moisture-- and our skins provide moisture.

 

[A Breaker]

So here is a thought: Restringing is pretty easy, if you have bead cups... knot & go. The final tie is a knot thru the bead cup, then you hook the bead cup to the claps. Bella Findings has Bead cups (in silver, silver plate & gold fill) & so does Etsy & amazon. There are restringing tutorial on this forum... Just cut 1 strand at a time...1 pearl at a time so that you can restring easily..... Pattye has kits with great string. But the bead cups in silver plate or gold plate make it super easy.