Help identifying/evaluating vintage inherited pearls
- Thread starter Nora1234
- Start date
BWeaves
Well-known member
I could be wrong, but I'm getting a "good faux pearl" vibe from both strands.
Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
I agree.
CortezPearls
PG Forum Admin
Yes, I get that same vibe!
Yes, I agree, imitation pearl. Look at how identical the reflections are and shapes so consistent.
The first place to look when suspecting imitation pearls is at the drill holes. On vintage strands there is usually peeling or there can be a build up of paint like swirls around the drill holes. The holes probably won't have the precise edge of a drilled cultured pearl.
Also a lack of occasional typical natural blemishes.
The first place to look when suspecting imitation pearls is at the drill holes. On vintage strands there is usually peeling or there can be a build up of paint like swirls around the drill holes. The holes probably won't have the precise edge of a drilled cultured pearl.
Also a lack of occasional typical natural blemishes.
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Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
I have owned imitation pearls that were not all exactly the same shape (the better to look real.)
Imitation pearls also glide smoothly when rubbed against each other, while real pearls feel gritty.
Also imitation pearls with a glass bead (which I think yours are) are warmer than real pearls. You can check this by placing some pearls you know to be real (or know to be fake/glass) in the same temperature environment for 30 minutes or so, then testing each against your lip, which is very temperature sensitive.
Imitation pearls also glide smoothly when rubbed against each other, while real pearls feel gritty.
Also imitation pearls with a glass bead (which I think yours are) are warmer than real pearls. You can check this by placing some pearls you know to be real (or know to be fake/glass) in the same temperature environment for 30 minutes or so, then testing each against your lip, which is very temperature sensitive.
BWeaves
Well-known member
They look a lot like my grandmother's Richelieu faux pearls from the 1940's or 50s. The yellowed color. The lack of overtones. The graduated shape of the pearls in the necklace. The clasps. I treasure them. Lots of women wore faux pearls back then. Jackie Kennedy. Barbara Bush. Coco Chanel.
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KarinK
Well-known member
I believe the holes on fake pearls are also usually larger than on real pearls.
Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
That is often the case with less expensive glass imitation pearls, but not necessarily with higher end ones. Same goes for excess coating near drill holes or beveling of the bead near drill holes.
CortezPearls
PG Forum Admin
Please read through this thread: https://www.pearl-guide.com/threads...arovski-pearl-photos-stories.6776/#post322038
Will make it easier for you to understand.
Will make it easier for you to understand.
Old School
Member
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2024
- Messages
- 6
Hi Nora,
You are very lucky to have pearls your mother wore. Yes, they are glass but they look to be in good condition. In the old days (1930-50's), they would often use a sterling clasp because sterling was cheap, in those days. When pearls gained popularity after Chanel started wearing them and Mikimoto produced pearls, the average customer couldn't afford real pearls. Many of our mothers and grandmothers wore their glass pearls proudly.
You are very lucky to have pearls your mother wore. Yes, they are glass but they look to be in good condition. In the old days (1930-50's), they would often use a sterling clasp because sterling was cheap, in those days. When pearls gained popularity after Chanel started wearing them and Mikimoto produced pearls, the average customer couldn't afford real pearls. Many of our mothers and grandmothers wore their glass pearls proudly.
