Trying to determine if freshwater or Akoya?

[Ckirkland82]

Hi Pearl loving community! I’m new to this forum, but have enjoyed reading many of the threads. I’ve exhausted my resources (my jeweler isn’t a “pearl” guy and ChatGPT can only get you so far) so I’m hoping someone here might be able to determine if my pearl necklace is freshwater or Akoya.

1. They are definitely cultured, not fake—gritty texture when rubbed against each other.
2. I purchased them preowned for $250 from a lady on eBay who mainly trolls antique stores for dolls. She didn’t have any provenance and thought they were Akoya but couldn’t say for sure, freely disclosed she doesn’t know a whole lot about pearls.
3. The pearls are a uniform double strand, 18” long (36” I guess!) and ~7mm diameter. The clasp is solid 14K gold, marked “14K”.
4. They appear to have been stored in a dark blue satin Bucherer bracelet box, which is what they were in when she acquired them.

I’d love to have a strand of Akoya but if these aren’t, they were still a great buy IMO and I think they are beautiful. Thank you to anyone able to help!
-Courtney

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Akoyas. There are some pearls that show erosion of the nacre near the drill hole; if you look closely you will probably see the bead nucleus there.
I'd have them cleaned and restrung. Congrats-- and enjoy!

 

[Ckirkland82]

Wow!! I’m actually surprised and thrilled! Thank you! In your opinion, is it worth the cost to have them X-rayed or whatever else to obtain a provenance? I don’t plan on selling them anytime soon, but who knows what the future holds?

 

[Pearl Dreams]

No, that is certainly not necessary, nor would it provide provenance. They are cultured pearls, not natural pearls.

 

[ennui]

The pearls are a uniform double strand, 18” long (36” I guess!)

Since they are a double strand, I think they'd be considered as 18". Nice find!

 

[Ckirkland82]

Thank you all!

 

[BWeaves]

Nice double strand of akoyas with a nice clasp. No, it's not worth getting them appraised or x-rayed. But definitely give them a gentle wash to clean the gunk off and bright them up. I don't think they need restringing yet, unless you see pearls slipping up and down between the knots. The knots look pretty clean and tight to me. Enjoy!

 

[Ckirkland82]

Thank you for confirming, that will save some $! As it turns out, I will need to get them restrung sooner rather than later! Of course wearing them around the house in my tshirt and leggings …the silk by the pearl next to the clasp broke so it’s a sign! Taking to a local jeweler this weekend for cleaning and restringing! I’m guessing they haven’t been restrung in more than a decade so the silk is pretty old.

 

[ennui]

Taking to a local jeweler this weekend

Is this the jeweler that you said isn't a pearl guy? If so, they may send them out to be cleaned and restrung. Be sure to take photos of your necklace and count the pearls. It's probably not necessary, but you never know.

 

[Ckirkland82]

Different jeweler! They claim the do all their pearl work onsite by the owner. I used to go to them before I moved, they are really good, but a bit of a trek across the county. But I will definitely do as you advise, that’s good advice.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Don't just count the pearls-- make sure the receipt given to you by the jeweler when you drop off the pearls clearly states the number of pearls.