Tahitian Freshwater Pearls?

[Bluewater5289]

Hello everyone...New member here... I have purchased a Necklace, choker and bracelet through an estate sale and was told they were Tahitian Freshwater Pearls. Can you Look at the attached pictures and tell if they are or how can I get them looked at? 8-9mm... Gritty

Thank you so much!

***UPDATE*** ...First of all I want to thank everyone in this group for helping me. You guys are awesome. I have contacted the auction house I bought them from that was doing the estate sale and requested a refund. From now on I will be using you guys as a resource before I buy another Pearl. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

 

[ennui]

They appear to be dyed freshwater pearls. I've seen descriptions that use "Tahitian" as a color description rather than describing pearls from French Polynesia. You will see eBay listings that say "Tahitian black" for freshwater pearls.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I am getting an imitation pearl vibe from them.

Try gently rubbing together 2 of the pearls in each item. What do you feel?
Imitation pearls feel smooth when rubbed together this way. Real pearls feel rough/gritty.

 

[Bluewater5289]

I am getting an imitation pearl vibe from them.

Try gently rubbing together 2 of the pearls in each item. What do you feel?
Imitation pearls feel smooth when rubbed together this way. Real pearls feel rough/gritty.

I rubbed two of them together and it did feel bumpy but I didn’t do it too hard. They always feel cold.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Do you have any other pearls (whether real of fake) to compare their temperature with? Real pearls are cooler than fake ones.
To check this, put all the pearls to be compared in the same room for half an hour or so (i.e. same ambient temperture.) Then touch them to your lips briefly. Lips are very sensitive to differences in temperature.

 

[ennui]

I am getting an imitation pearl vibe from them.

I thought that, too, especially since the black pearl is almost opaque, but Bluewater said they're gritty. Not sure.

 

[Bluewater5289]

Do you have any other pearls (whether real of fake) to compare their temperature with? Real pearls are cooler than fake ones.
To check this, put all the pearls to be compared in the same room for half an hour or so (i.e. same ambient temperture.) Then touch them to your lips briefly. Lips are very sensitive to differences in temperature.

Oh dang!!.. that’s crazy… so I got a fake set … let them both set together and the ones I got at the estate sale were cold but the other ones were not. It also felt bumpy/scaly…

 

[Bluewater5289]

I thought that, too, especially since the black pearl is almost opaque, but Bluewater said they're gritty. Not sure.

Gritty on my tooth… cold to my lips and they are heavier than the other ones I got.

 

[jshepherd]

These appear to be shell pearls

 

[Pearl Dreams]

And shell pearls are a type of imitation pearl.

 

[Bluewater5289]

And shell pearls are a type of imitation pearl.

Are you sure this is the case? Because I bought these at an estate sale and paid very good money for them. If they are what you say then I am going to ask for my money back.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Definitely ask for your money back.
The sellers may have thought they were real, if they bought them from a vendor who thought they were real. It happens.

Ten years ago I found such shell pearls at a very reputable shop where we had previously bought jewelry.
Here, read my post about that visit:

Post in thread 'Fake, Imitation, Laguna, Faux, Majorica, Majorcan, Swarovski Pearl Photos, Stories'

Apr 13, 2015

I've been thinking about something I saw on Saturday that disturbed me.

My husband and I had taken a drive to a favorite shoreline town where we had our first date many years ago. In the course of the day, we stopped in at a small independent jewelry shop where we have bought things in the past. They have nice colored stones and do not sell synthetics or costume jewelry. Although not everything they sell is high priced, it is all genuine.

Usually the owner is present, but on Saturday, it was just the 2 sales ladies I've often chatted with before.

I spotted in their upright pearl case...

• Pearl Dreams

By the way, another test you can do is what I showed that salewoman: examine the pearls' surface with a loupe. Imitation pearls have a somewhat coarser texture than real pearls when seen at 10x magnification. (It helps to have a real pearl to compare with!)

I suspect shell pearls' coatings may have some ground up shell in the lacquer; if so this could explain the feel when you rub them.

 

[SteveM]

These appear to be shell pearls

In reviewing the updated CIBJO Pearl Book (Nov 2024) I am not seeing this term addressed specifically under 'imitations of pearls', particiularly regarding ground and shaped shell nacre.

This CIBJO update is enormous, obviously with Jeremy's significant contribution, with a lot of new material especially regarding naturals and resolving a few conflicts for terms such as keshi. It is really a great resource.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

That is an interesting omission. Ebay is full of so-called "shell pearls".

 

[ennui]

That is an interesting omission. Ebay is full of so-called "shell pearls".

Maybe they thought "Artificially produced composite cultured products" would cover it.

Bluewater, please don't blame the seller, it may have been an innocent mistake. Let us know if you get your refund.

 

[SteveM]

Maybe they thought "Artificially produced composite cultured products" would cover it.

That is promising and perhaps a useful umbrella clause, but the descriptions apply to filled mabes, with no specific mention of a spherical NACREOUS 'shell pearl.' In all my years here, this is a new one. I do not visit eBay. (Admission of ignorance, as a plea for enlightenment.)

Edit: In discovering pertinent discussions here I am now informed of the prevalence of 'shell pearls' in the market, similar in concept yet totally distinct from imitation pearls using essence de l'orient ˆsuch as Majorica, which are clearly covered by CIBJO as 'imitations of pearls.' Not specifically addressing the term 'shell pearls' does appear to be a major omission by CIBJO. It also encouarges confusion with fake porcelanous 'pearls' that are actually cut from shell. Perhaps that is the point!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I'm tempted to buy some cheap ones just to cut them in half and see exactly what they are.

 

[KarinK]

The name seems designed to filter people who know about pearls from those who don't :-( Tahitians grow in salt water. You would never find FW pearls naturally in those colours. So, at best, they would be dyed FW and from a seller who either knows nothing about pearls or is intentionally trying to mislead.

 

[SteveM]

The name seems designed to filter people who know about pearls from those who don't :-( Tahitians grow in salt water. You would never find FW pearls naturally in those colours. So, at best, they would be dyed FW and from a seller who either knows nothing about pearls or is intentionally trying to mislead.

Just to be clear, this conversation has morphed from FW vs. SW to 'pearl' vs. 'shell pearl.' CIBJO (World Jewellry Confederation / Confédération Internationale de la Bijouterie, Joaillerie, Orfèvrerie des Diamants, Perles et Pierres) in its Pearl Blue Book purports to regulate every possible use of the word 'pearl' to the trade. Tahitians, as Black Cultured Pearls, are defined as originating in a saltwater mollusk species within a specific geographical area. So no equivocation there.

An unexpected source, Kari Pearls, offers helpful background on the growing 'shell pearl' category with reference to an innovative producer, Can Phu in Saigon. No nacre or other iridescent coating (a la essence de l'orient) is involved, 'Shell pearls' are simply shaped and drilled shell beads that are subsequently dyed, baked and polished. Luster, but no orient. More durable than pearls. Any color and any shape/size that you want. As with Spain's Majorica, there is no reason to deprecate, as quality per se can be high.

Interestingly, AI responses to 'what is a shell pearl' conclude that these are shaped from ground shell nacre and coated with same. Google offers the disclaimer: "AI responses may include mistakes."

Bottom line, 'Shell Pearl' is not to be found among CIBJO's regulated terms. No doubt Can Phu has no problem making hay while the sun shines.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

That is really interesting!

But somehow I think that the so-called shell pearls sold on eBay are not these labor intensive ones described by Kari, based on their low price.
e.g. "Rare Huge 12mm Genuine South Sea Shell Pearl Round Beads Necklace 20'' AAA+" now listed on eBay for $6.99 with free shipping.