Hi there! My name is Lee and I live in Nashville, TN. My great aunt was like a mother to me and though she is still alive, she has dementia so bad she doesn’t usually recognize me. But, before she got bad she gave me some things and told me to sell them to get some extra cash. So, I don’t know if I will sell these 2 pearl necklaces or not, but if possible I was hoping to get some info on them and an estimated value. I have spent a couple hours looking myself but I had zero prior knowledge of pearls and if I did sell them I would sure hate to go by the little I did learn-so here I am. I took the best pics I could but I will take more if need be. Also, I appreciate any and all help so very much.
My Great Aunt Left Me These…
- Thread starter Lee311
- Start date
Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
Welcome to Pearl Guide!
You have 1 graduated knotted strand of vintage akoya pearls with a 10K gold fish hook clasp; the other is not graduated and not knotted, but also has a gold clasp.
I think the unknotted strand is also akoya --are they all round? The photo makes some of them look a bit off round /eggy. If they are indeed round, then I would say they are akoyas; if really egg shaped, then freshwater pearls.
The graduated strand dates back to the WWII / Korean War era. Servicemen working in the Far East would buy these for their sweethearts. As pearls are sold by weight, these were less expensive, since there are only a few large pearls in the center.
The straight size (not graduated) strand is probably more recent.
These do sell pretty well on eBay. If you do a search for SOLD necklaces of this sort, you will see how much they sell for these days. The fact that the clasps are gold helps, since gold is expensive now.
If you plan to wear them, they really need to be restrung. The knotted one in particular needs it. Silk becomes weak with age and grime, and can break. Many of us restring our own pearls; it isn't hard. See my tutorial:
If you decide to to sell them, you don't need to restring; the buyer can do that. But they might be easier to sell, or sell for a bit more money, if restrung. However, do not pay someone to restring them if you are going to sell them; the cost will eat up your profit.
You have 1 graduated knotted strand of vintage akoya pearls with a 10K gold fish hook clasp; the other is not graduated and not knotted, but also has a gold clasp.
I think the unknotted strand is also akoya --are they all round? The photo makes some of them look a bit off round /eggy. If they are indeed round, then I would say they are akoyas; if really egg shaped, then freshwater pearls.
The graduated strand dates back to the WWII / Korean War era. Servicemen working in the Far East would buy these for their sweethearts. As pearls are sold by weight, these were less expensive, since there are only a few large pearls in the center.
The straight size (not graduated) strand is probably more recent.
These do sell pretty well on eBay. If you do a search for SOLD necklaces of this sort, you will see how much they sell for these days. The fact that the clasps are gold helps, since gold is expensive now.
If you plan to wear them, they really need to be restrung. The knotted one in particular needs it. Silk becomes weak with age and grime, and can break. Many of us restring our own pearls; it isn't hard. See my tutorial:
If you decide to to sell them, you don't need to restring; the buyer can do that. But they might be easier to sell, or sell for a bit more money, if restrung. However, do not pay someone to restring them if you are going to sell them; the cost will eat up your profit.
Last edited:
Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
Please note that I edited my first reply as I made a mistake the first time I looked at your photos. On looking again I see that only one of the necklaces is graduated.
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