Posted 10 years ago
mikelv85
(1232 items)
This was my Salvation Army find for today. My friend handed them to me as soon as I walked in the door. An 18" strand of double knotted rather large Baroque pearls. Not sure of the millimeter but some are close t0 dime size (see pic 4). They are fairly irregular, lumpy and some have an oval barrel shape. Incredible lustre too. So, first question. Are they real ? The answer is most likely yes, but I couldn't tell her what the quality was. Are they Freshwater, Saltwater, Cultured, Natural, South Sea, Tahitian, Japanese, etc. They passed the tests. The tooth test (I know yuck ) but I did. Then the rub test to see if they created powder from the friction by rubbing two together (very carefully). Yes to that as well. Heavy and cool to the touch. The clasp is marked .925 but that's the only mark. It's on the lever of the clasp almost hidden and super tiny. So inexpensive freshwater or more pricey saltwater ??... I really don't know. I like the silver clasp better than a gold one but gold could indicate a more expensive strand. Add diamonds and then it would a no brainer. So it's a bit of a mystery, but they are very nice. There was also an 18" necklace of Mother of Pearl beads, which are bits of the shell that are formed into beads. So some are dull and others have the pearly sheen with bits of color. I picked those up too. Not nearly as nice as these, but still attractive. -Mike-
I am by no means an expert with Pearls... But just from what I have seen before and what I can see from the pictures, I think they may be freshwater... I say that based on the shape of each pearl... I think cultured pearl are more round and a bit more tidy in shape... I think this is very pretty necklace and the length is great.
Thanks Dr. Fluffy :) From my online research the Baroque's (more free form and irregular) are seen in all categories and colors from fresh to salt. Some strands cost thousands and they look like tiny freshwater ones. Almost like pebbles, then there's the big ovals and anything in between. It's really difficult to tell sometimes.
Getting into jewelry now huh?
Hey you !! :) Yes, it takes up much less space and the art pottery seems to have dried up. Just off on another tangent for the time being. It's pretty much anything anymore...lol. Nice to hear from you. I saw you on eye's post the other day. Missed you here on CW .
Missed you too. Yes Eye woke me up the other day. Hope all has been well.
I'm just fine...other than the cold. I really detest winter. Did you see Antiques Roadshow is coming to Cleveland in July. I applied for tickets. Won't know till April though if I'll get any as they're free but by random drawing. Saw they re-posted their article here on CW the other day too. Don't want to be on the show at all just want get some pieces appraised.
Love roadshow. Monday at 8:00 every week. Hasn't been too bad down here this year. Had a week of sub zero but 52 today. Snow tomorrow night. The older I get the colder it feels. Lots of new names on here.
You are so lucky living south and away from the lake effect snow. It's going to be mild here too compared to the teens and negatives at night we've had last few weeks. We've got rain to snow on tap for tomorrow. Chance of freezing rain too before the snow. I... hate... winter !!.
I think they are really nice. Love the colours !!!!
Mike I wouldn't know how to tell if these were freshwater or salt, but a strand this long of colour matched pearls, with this size pearl, has to be pretty good I think!
They are special.
Mikelv85, I am really glad you're into jewelry now, you'll get more love from me ;)! Honestly I think there should be more jewelrycollectors on CW!
Freshwater or saltwater, I think it's a very nice necklace!
Thanks for the "Loves" and the vote of confidence everyone :) Dr.Fluffy , Weirdpukett, nldionne, vetraio50, Karen and Elisabethan. They are a great find !
mike... thanks for the info... I really need to learn more about Pearls.
Your welcome DrFluffy :) I'm no expert but I love to research things I know nothing about and there's a lot.
Thanks Ken :)
stunning!!!
Good to be learning new things... thanks for the post!
Thanks Sean and trunkman for the "loves" and comments ! :)
Thanks for the evaluation Val :).... I didn't think they were the mega buck ones. They probably would have had 18K gold clasps if they were really special. Sad to hear you did get to go to AR. I figured the tickets should be available but getting on the show is the real long shot. Don't think I have anything to merit a spot in the limelight anyway...lol.
Oooh, Antiques Roadshow, cool! The articles I've read about it, some people are competitive about getting on television, choose their items based on the chances of getting in front of the camera. I've not been at all tempted as I've read AR is an all day experience, mostly standing in line, and exhausting, and I don't have anything worth dealing with that. But love the show! Good luck!
I have been trying for a few years, no luck... This year, it's in Arizona and I am trying again...
I did get tickets to the Ellen Show, twice, and both times, I couldn't go due to the freakin corporate job (which is happily behind me now).
Hi Mikelv! Just see your post, they are freshwater potato shape pearls (awful naming, lol).
Not expensive at all, but as nice to wear than other cultured :-)
China is a huge producer of freshwater pearls now!
An exemple there:
http://www.topearl.com/white-pearl-78mm-potato-pearls-strand-necklace-fn047-p-957.html