Help. Pesrls inherited from my grandmother and interested if these are real but so much information out there

[cgibb]

Hi there
I am looking for advice regarding these inherited pearls on a beautiful vintahe looking necklace.
These must be dated around 1950s when she used to wear them.
They are gritty when rubbed, knotted between and sterling silver clasp.
Just looking to see if anyone can advise as per pictures, I am unsure re insurance needed or valuation or anything with antique.
Apologies these have not been cleaned since I recieved them 10yrs ago.
Thank you

 

[Pearl Dreams]

They appear to be vintage baroque akoya pearls, needing to be restrung. Silk become weak with age and use and can break.

Their highest value is sentimental value. Neither the pearls nor the clasp have a high resale value, and their replacement value would not be high enough to warrant insuring them.

Are you thinking of wearing them? They do have nice luster and would clean up nicely once restrung. If so, have a look at my tutorial; it's easy to do it yourself, and not expensive.

If selling is your goal, have a look at SOLD, similar necklaces on eBay and that will give you an idea of what you could get for them.

Thread 'Stringing Tutorial with photos: Stringing on Serafil, Beaders Secret & Power Pro'

Dec 2, 2012

How to string (or restring) your pearls on doubled Pattye's Serafil, Beaders Secret, and Power Pro​

This is not hard-- really! It is harder to describe it than to do it. Anyone can learn to string their own pearls!
If after reading through this, it sounds too daunting, I suggest making a mini-strand for practice first. Make one 12-15 pearls long just so you can practice how to knot the end 3 pearls on each side and attach the clasps; the middle pearls are easy to knot.

To just practice knotting (without bothering with clasps), make an overhand knot, string on a pearl (or...

• Pearl Dreams
• Replies: 379
• Forum: The Lowly Beaders' Club

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[cgibb]

Thank you. What is the best way to clean pearls, what do I use do so without damaging them.
Also what is an akoya pearl?

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Akoyas are Japanese cultured pearls. (I should say, most are Japanese; akoyas are also farmed in Vietnam and were farmed in China for a time; I think not so much any more. Yours are likely Japanese.) They have a bead inside with the goal of making them round as the oyster lays down nacre over the bead, but at harvest, many are not fully round; these are called "baroque" pearls.

Swish some mild soap in a bowl of distilled water (to avoid both chlorine and hard water minerals that could interact with the soap to form a scum). Let them sit in the soapy water 15 minutes or so to loosen any grime that is there. Then wipe them clean with a soft cloth. Rinse with more distilled water, and then lay them to dry flat on a towel for 24 hours (the silk inside the drill holes takes longer to dry.)

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Here is a brief article about akoya pearls:

Thread 'Akoya Pearls'

Jul 18, 2014

Akoya Pearls Defined
Akoya pearls are bead-nucleated cultured pearls produced in the Pinctada fucata martensii and Pinctada fucata chemnitzii primarily in Japan, China, Vietnam, South Korea and Australia, with most production (>95%) taking place in Japan.

The Classic Pearl
Renowned for their luster, akoya are considered the classic pearl. When one envisions a perfectly round, shiny white strand of pearls, one is almost certainly envisioning a strand of akoya pearls.

Akoya pearls were the first cultured pearls to be farmed using a bead and mantle tissue...

• pearl guide
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• Forum: Pearl Education