Recently acquired some of my mom's awesome vintage jewelry. Wondering if anyone can help me identify these pearls, not sure if they're real or not. Appreciate the assistance!
Inherited pearls
- Thread starter ashleyviz
- Start date
BWeaves
Well-known member
My guesses:
The bracelet and necklace with the gold fishhook clasps could be cultured akoya pearls from Japan. But I'm also thinking they could be imitations.
The necklace with the red and gold beads are inexpensive cultured Chinese freshwater pearls. They are 100% pearl nacre.
The necklace with the blue stone drop is imitation pearls.
The yellowed necklace with the square clasp looks like imitation pearls, in particular Richelieu brand. The clasp is tarnished, but is probably sterling silver, A little silver polish with shine it back up. However, the pearls will continue to yellow as they are not real. I have a strand like that from my grandmother. She told me they were the best pearl that was not a pearl. It's possible this strand is from your grandmother? They wore their imitation pearls proudly.
The big strand and the smaller graduated strands with the white clasps are more modern imitation pearls.
The bracelet and necklace with the gold fishhook clasps could be cultured akoya pearls from Japan. But I'm also thinking they could be imitations.
The necklace with the red and gold beads are inexpensive cultured Chinese freshwater pearls. They are 100% pearl nacre.
The necklace with the blue stone drop is imitation pearls.
The yellowed necklace with the square clasp looks like imitation pearls, in particular Richelieu brand. The clasp is tarnished, but is probably sterling silver, A little silver polish with shine it back up. However, the pearls will continue to yellow as they are not real. I have a strand like that from my grandmother. She told me they were the best pearl that was not a pearl. It's possible this strand is from your grandmother? They wore their imitation pearls proudly.
The big strand and the smaller graduated strands with the white clasps are more modern imitation pearls.
Last edited:
Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
My impression is that they are all imitation, with the sole possible exception of the very baroque strand with the beads, which could be freshwaters (but I have also seen many imitation strands that mimic baroque freshwaters.)
Note the flaking imitation pearl coating on the end pearl in photo #4.
14KGF means 14K gold-filled (1/20th 14K gold by weight) over base metal.
Two simple tests you can do:
1. Temperature test. Real pearls are cooler than fake ones. Put the pearls to be tested in the same room as another pearl item that you know for sure are real (or that you are sure are fake) for half an hour or so, to eliminate ambient temperature variables. Touch the pearls to be tsted briefly to your lips (which are very sensitive to temperature.) Repeat the test with the pearls you know are real ofr that you know are fake. What do you feel?
2. Rubbing test, often called the tooth test (but please don't rub pearls on your teeth-- they are harder than pearls and can scratch them.)
Rub two of the pearls in each piece together gently. Fake pearls feel smooth when rubbed this way. Real nacre feels gritty.
Note the flaking imitation pearl coating on the end pearl in photo #4.
14KGF means 14K gold-filled (1/20th 14K gold by weight) over base metal.
Two simple tests you can do:
1. Temperature test. Real pearls are cooler than fake ones. Put the pearls to be tested in the same room as another pearl item that you know for sure are real (or that you are sure are fake) for half an hour or so, to eliminate ambient temperature variables. Touch the pearls to be tsted briefly to your lips (which are very sensitive to temperature.) Repeat the test with the pearls you know are real ofr that you know are fake. What do you feel?
2. Rubbing test, often called the tooth test (but please don't rub pearls on your teeth-- they are harder than pearls and can scratch them.)
Rub two of the pearls in each piece together gently. Fake pearls feel smooth when rubbed this way. Real nacre feels gritty.
BWeaves
Well-known member
I think you're right about the first two strands being imitation pearls, too.