Identify my pearls please
- Thread starter Ophelia
- Start date
Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
They could be akoyas or they could be imitations-- I can't tell because the first few photos are out of focus. Please take better photos of the entire strand and a few more close-ups, including close ups of any flaws you see in the surface of the pearls. If there are any areas where the pearly coating seems to be missing, photograph that as well.
Also, please check the tongue of the clasp and see if there are any metal marks (10K, 14K, 925 etc.)
A jeweler could tell you if the stones are rhinestones (glass) or diamonds. I would not expect diamonds in the clasp of an imitation strand (even though clasps can be changed.)
Also, please check the tongue of the clasp and see if there are any metal marks (10K, 14K, 925 etc.)
A jeweler could tell you if the stones are rhinestones (glass) or diamonds. I would not expect diamonds in the clasp of an imitation strand (even though clasps can be changed.)
BWeaves
Well-known member
I agree that we need better photos. But they look like imitations to me. My grandmother's era (born 1902) wore their imitation pearls with pride. I have my grandmother's imitation pearls and they look similar in color and texture.
Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
I'm leaning that way too but I don't want to call it without more photos.
Please help me Identify those pearls that I got from my great grand mother
Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
They did help, but sad to say, they are fake.
This photo in particular was particularly helpful.
They can still be a sentimental strand to clean up and wear! I have a restringing tutorial that is a sticky on the Lowly Beaders Club section of the forum if you wish to do that.
This photo in particular was particularly helpful.
They can still be a sentimental strand to clean up and wear! I have a restringing tutorial that is a sticky on the Lowly Beaders Club section of the forum if you wish to do that.
BWeaves
Well-known member
I agree with PearlDreams. That's the photo that convinced me they were fake. The color, luster, surface texture, drill holes, all point to imitation pearls. Give them a good cleaning and wear them for sentimental reasons.
Most women of that era wore imitation pearls. Jackie Kennedy wore imitation pearls. Barbara Bush wore imitation pearls. Queen Alexandra wore imitation pearls. Coco Chanel wore imitation pearls.
Most women of that era wore imitation pearls. Jackie Kennedy wore imitation pearls. Barbara Bush wore imitation pearls. Queen Alexandra wore imitation pearls. Coco Chanel wore imitation pearls.
The quality of the closing part is really high and I don't see any
I don t see any coating missing, the diamonds in the clasps seem real but yeah I think I need to bring them to a jeweler to be sure! I put more pic just in case! Thanks everyone for your time and knowledge
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Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
A lot of women of previous generations wore fake pearls, proudly. Sometimes they didn't even know they were fake.
My father in law gave a pearl necklace to my MIL-- both of them thought the pearls were real, as did the whole family. Only after they passed did I get to see them close up. Fake!
My grandmother bought my mother a strand of Majorica pearls on one of her trips back to Italy, that she treasured and wore for decades, not knowing they were fake. When she was old and had dementia she wore them 24/7. I had to restring them for her with Power Pro (fishing line) so her caregivers could wash them off after she spilled soup on them. She loved those pearls!
Have you watched The Gilded Age? Caroline Astor, the powerful "old money" socialite, wore a 5 strand necklace with 105 pearls. After she died they found that 90 of the pearls were fake. There's even a NYT article about it: "Mrs. Astor's False Pearls".
My father in law gave a pearl necklace to my MIL-- both of them thought the pearls were real, as did the whole family. Only after they passed did I get to see them close up. Fake!
My grandmother bought my mother a strand of Majorica pearls on one of her trips back to Italy, that she treasured and wore for decades, not knowing they were fake. When she was old and had dementia she wore them 24/7. I had to restring them for her with Power Pro (fishing line) so her caregivers could wash them off after she spilled soup on them. She loved those pearls!
Have you watched The Gilded Age? Caroline Astor, the powerful "old money" socialite, wore a 5 strand necklace with 105 pearls. After she died they found that 90 of the pearls were fake. There's even a NYT article about it: "Mrs. Astor's False Pearls".
ennui
Well-known member
It may seem counter intuitive, but in my experience, wealthy people tend to be frugal regarding jewelry. They spend money on real estate and other investments.
BWeaves
Well-known member
The diamonds look like rhinestones to me, and the setting looks like base metal. But please, do take them to a jeweler and get them checked. I think we'd ALL like to know if we're guessing right or wrong, and what they really are.
