Lurker, got a huge tease and a disappointment 🙁

[Sarekaz]

Hello all, I found your site last week and for some reason I can’t stop reading! I have always admired pearls, though current lifestyle, I do not wear much jewelry. I’m enjoying everything here immensely and wished to say thank you for being the wonderful sharing pearl lovers you are.

I just wanted to share, with the tiny bit I have learned from lurking here, I became very excited going through my late mother-in-law‘s jewelry to see this box-
But Woe is me! neither item qualifies, in anyway, to be Majorica. Confound her disorganization
Of course I am going through everything again, but alas, only a strand of rice pearls and many imitations.
And to be clear, I do not ask for these to be identified. The bottom set is clearly imitation, while the top set does not pass teeth/cold real pearl test. They are nicely done though. It’s too bad no one in the family has the initial “I”.
Maybe I could change the charm for me
I may do that!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Actually I believe the bracelet is Majorica. Not only because of the pseudo-orient (red and green overtones) caused by the final layer of coating but also the clasp style and the little corrugated conical end beads are Majorica style. (I own many Majorica pieces.) I've never seen the letter charm, but the box says 14K gold emblem so I think the charm is the emblem referred to.

What does the back of the clasp look like-- is there any mark? Usually Majorica clasps are either 925 silver or vermeil (gold plated over silver, marked 925) but I have 2 pieces that have 18K clasps.

Is there a metal mark on the charm? It should say 585 or 14K if the bracelet came in that box.

The lower strand are imitations but not Majorica.

 

[Sarekaz]

Yes the charm does say 14 carat, best picture of the clasp insert mark. And now, I see writing on the back of the female end of clasp- let’s see what my old phone camera can do-
If you do think they are Majorica, I shall be afraid to wear them! I am very hard on jewelry, almost nothing lasts with me

 

[Pearl Dreams]

So they are Majorica. Mystery solved.
Wear them! Majorica imitations are the best fakes out there-- they have 30-40 layers of coating and are very, very durable! More durable than real pearls.

As to the charm-- you can remove it if you like. Hey, gold is selling at a high price and that is 14K.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Bowing out for now, to go to the PP live event. Join us? It's about the new bead nucleated FWP and looks to be very interesting:

 

[Sarekaz]

So it is the back of the clasp that is the tell? And that explains how they look so good I was disappointed there was not the M on it-
More durable than real pearls hmm, I think I’m off to Etsy to see about a new charm, thank you so much!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

As to removing the charm, that should also be easy, but you would need 2 fine-nose/ jewelry pliers. From your photo it seems the charm's jump ring is an open (unsoldered) ring. Open it as this short video demonstrates (except I don't think it matters if you deform the ring if you don't want the charm anyway.)
Just take care not to damage the clasp-- only grasp the jump ring.

 

[BWeaves]

Yeah, that clasp is typical Majorica. Should wear very well even you're hard on them. Remember, they're fakes. Enjoy them and don't keep them for best.

 

[Izzie]

I think I see 925 on the clasp.

 

[ennui]

If you do think they are Majorica, I shall be afraid to wear them! I am very hard on jewelry, almost nothing lasts with me

My personal opinion? Unless you are saving it as a family heirloom for someone else, you may as well wear it. I've been to many auctions and estate sales, and no one will enjoy it as much as you do.

 

[Sarekaz]

My personal opinion? Unless you are saving it as a family heirloom for someone else, you may as well wear it. I've been to many auctions and estate sales, and no one will enjoy it as much as you do.

I will be wearing them, thank you. For sentiment and myself- hopefully this will make me more aware so I do not harm them

 

[Sarekaz]

I think I see 925 on the clasp. View attachment 476079

I shall have someone with better eyes look at this for me- even my old phone camera can’t make it out

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I see the 925.