Inherited this beauty

[JewlsOnJade]

I’m unsure what kind of pearls or age. I love them so so much. They’re three tiered and have a beautiful sterling clasp. They seem to have yellowed from age/wear. As well as the word “Sterling” being worn down. I know they were deeply loved and cared for by my grandma, but she never really told me much about them.
Side note. I believe the patina came from a copper bracelet that was in the same bag as these; they were inside a bag full of different types of jewelry.
I would deeply appreciate any kind of information or personal insight on them. Thank you in advance.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Imitation pearls can have excess pearly coating near the drill holes that is similar to what I see in your photos, but given how varied the sizes and shapes are, I believe they are semi-baroque cultured akoyas.

They could really use a bath and restringing! There is a lot of grime there. And silk that is old and grimy is weakened and could break.
They will look so much better afterward. It won't reduce the yellowing, however.

 

[BWeaves]

They look like vintage imitation pearls. My grandmother's Richelieu imitation pearls look exactly like yours do. The color of the pearls, and the lack of overtones. The lack of knots. The bead ends covering the end knots. And the sterling silver clasp is exactly the same clasp as on my grandmother's Richelieu necklace. I feel confident saying that you have Richelieu imitation pearls.

Give them a good bath. Restring them. And polish the clasp. Then enjoy wearing a vintage piece of classic costume jewelry. Richelieu used to be THE imitation pearl, and women wore them proudly.

My grandmother gave me her double strand, graduated necklace of Richelieu pearls when I was 11 years old, because she knew I loved pearls. Then she said, "They're Richelieu pearls, which are the best pearl that is not a pearl," and my heart sank. They may have been the best imitation pearls when she bought them (1920s or 30s or 40s), but by the time she gave them to me, they looked yellow and grimy and the clasp was black with tarnish. I washed them, restrung them, and polished up the clasp, and they improved. They still don't look like real pearls, but I wear them occasionally for sentimental reasons.

My Nana's Richelieu pearls.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Here are a few simple tests you can do to decide if they are baroque akoyas or imitation pearls.

Note: the pearls look grimy. I would wipe them clean with a soft wet cloth before attempting either of these tests.

1. Temperature test. Real pearls are cooler than imitation pearls. Put your grandma's pearls and some other pearls that you know to be real (or that you know to be fake) in the same room -- same ambient temperature-- for half an hour or so, to eliminate that variable. Then touch each to your lips for a moment. Lips are very sensitve to temperature. What do you feel?

2. Rubbing test. (Also called "tooth test", but please do not use your teeth as teeth are harder than pearls and can scratch them) Rub 2 of the pearls together gently. Real pearls feel gritty but imitation pearls glide smoothly. What do you feel?

3. There is a 3rd test if you have a jeweler's loupe (10x magnifier.) Under 10 magnification, real pearls look very smooth while imitation pearls are more textured, coarse. Of course you would want to look at a portion of the pearl that is also smooth to the naked eye, not where there may be any blemish.