Natural Pearls

[Peter1963]

Hi there

I want to find out some more info about some pearls that my family has. They were bought from local fishermen about 30 to 40 years ago in South America and I have no clue to what to do with them or how much they might be worth or how they are graded.
. Please find attached a sample picture. Thanks

I have more pictures in the album I created.

 

[Caitlin]

Amazing loot! Those look like the ones that came up out of the ocean in a treasure chest a few years ago, but I really can't guess...

 

[pattye]

Welcome,

Really interesting pearls, could you please do a close up of some of the pearls, and give us an idea of what size they are? also a shot of the "big boys" in the bag. Can you be more specific about what area in South America? Any other details that have been passed down?

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

A unique collection.

I too am curious about their size range, species of origin and any other provenance.

These present as naturals with the usual characteristics of shape, structure and visible inclusions.

Naturals are worth what the buyer is willing pay. Each pearl speaks for it's own value. Obviously, rounder pearls with less flaws will fetch more, but teardrops and other shapes can be desirable. Their value can be increased with subsequent matches, namely pairs, sets and combinations.

Marketing natural pearls is never easy, some buyers will insist upon certification, then offering a price per carat far below the cost of certification. Certification should only be used for specific pearls and only when the value is presumed to be well in excess of the cost of analysis.

Keep the collection entire if at all possible (at least for now), because highgrading could risk devaluing the remainders. My suggestion would be to discuss the possibility of creating a limited edition of incredible pieces by a well known crafter or artisan. Sure, there is a cost and an effort involved, but your returns should be greater.

I'd enoy being kept "in the loop" in identifying these.

Although it does happen here, it's rare to see collections such as these and I thank for you for sharing them with us.

 

[CortezPearls]

Try to find an ultraviolet (long-wave) lamp and place the pearls on a dark colored cloth in a darkened room and see if some of the pearls "glow" (actually they should fluoresce...but "glow" is basically the same thing) with a pink or red color. If they do they could be from the "Rainbow Lip Oyster" (Pteria sterna). I would say most are from the Panamic Black-Lip Oyster (Pinctada mazatlanica) which makes nice gray colors.
Also: send us some aditional info, such as SIZES (in millimiters). Nice find!

 

[Caitlin]

You have an amazing collection of pearls that didn't make it back to Spain. I didn't think there were too many of those. This collection must have historic value; it seems important. Other than the pearls found in the sunken boats, thee pearls are the first historic pearl of the area I have seen.

We would so much appreciate more photos- lots of them!

 

[dmj]

if for sale i am and probable a lot of the people here are very interested

 

[MSC]

if for sale i am and probable a lot of the people here are very interested

Second that!