What kind of a pearl?

[KATVLG]

I am just wondering what kind of a pearl is this and its value?

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Do this: run the pearl gently across the edge of your front tooth. Do it along the side of the pearl, not front and center, and be gentle.Is it gritty or smooth?

Does that bare portion of the base run all the way around? Just above that it looks like some of the nacre is missing-- am I seeing that right?

If you shine a light through the base horizontally, what do you see?

 

[pattye]

Wondering if this is a mabe finished with mother of pearl? Please show a photo of the surface of the flat part. Can you estimate the mm size? Was this removed from a piece of jewelry? Where did you find it?

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I wondered that initially too, Pattye, but then thought it might also be a blister pearl cut away around the base and that that's the shell at the base (in which case backlighting would show layers of shell).

It looks like some of the nacre is missing above, also...and the coating looks quite thin, so maybe it's imitation?

Good call on showing a photo of the surface of the bottom.

 

[pattye]

PD, agree, quite the mystery! Certainly could be imitation.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

The scraped-away nacre or coating could be due to its removal from a setting.

 

[Pearling Technologies]

I’d say 3/4 pearl. Grown like a mabe but with a higher profile insert, then filled and capped in the same way as a mabe.