Featured Replacement pearl? $1 stick pin!

Found this today for a buck, have yet to test it for gold although I must say it is quite possibly solid gold of some sort, wouldn't be mad if it wasn't though! Anyways the pearl on it is really nice which leads me to the question is it a replacement? I have some pictures and it's hard to tell honestly, one of the prongs is bent, maybe to put a new pearl in perhaps?? Still can't beat a buck.

 

Nice!
I’d buy that!

 

It looks like gold to me too; for a buck I'd have taken a chance on it.

 

prongs get bent all the time...

 

It very well may be original. I got a lighted loupe and the amount of gunk accumulated behind the peal is quite astonishing! How in the world do I go about cleaning a pearl like this? I'm afraid if I use the brush and water method it could easily mess something up.

 

Electronically?

 

NOOOOO! Will pit it. Does it pass the 'tooth test' for real pearl? If so, since it is made of a substance not too different from a shell cameo, I would probably treat it the same way, with a good long soak in tepid water & a dab of dishwashing liquid, followed by the careful application of a very soft toothbrush, returning it to soak if there is still grunge left that gentle brushing does not remove. With some cameos I have had to soak 3 -4 times to get into all the crevices as layers are removed. Worst that can happen is that it will come out of the setting, something that is easily remedied, or it will be revealed as artificial, not a tragedy & better to know.

 

Very nice find, spartcom, and for a buck, great.
The pearl looks original to the pin. It is a nice pearl with a soft lustre. I wouldn't be surprised if it is a natural pearl (uncultured).

Yes it would, it could cause serious damage.
Wipe with a damp cloth, and a damp cotton bud for the parts the cloth doesn't reach. Repeat this if necessary, but never do anything more rigourous, it could damage the pearl.
That also means that you never immerse a pearl in water. A pearl is built up in layers. Water immersion can cause water to get between the layers, through minute pores or cracks. This will cause discolouration. A toothbrush, no matter how soft, is also a no no.
Here is info on care and storage, also read the right sidebar:
http://www.colorspark.com/pearl-care.html

 

I've used ultrasound on pearls, but ONLY with a specialised cleaning fluid for them.

 

Does look like gold!
The pearl looks like a simulant, a glass shell filled with nacreous substance.
A crack of the glass can be seen in your enlarged last pic.
To be sure, gently rub the pearl against your front tooth edge, a genuine pearl feels gritty!
I regularly wash my cultured pearls in lukewarm soapy water and thoroughly rinse them under clear water before wiping with a tissue!
Nothing bad happened in decades

 

Everyone has there own way of doing a cleaning.....I luv this crowd !!!

 

So it's a real pearl for sure. However, i am confused as to why they would use glue on it? Seems to be glued on the prongs..... That doesn't seem right?

 

You're right, it doesn't, and it should never have happened.
Gold prongs or claws wear a little with age. Maybe the pearl became too loose in the setting, and a former owner decided he could remedy this at home.

 

Hi,
Perhaps over the years the pearl got loose and the lady did not have money to get it fixed so she glued it. perhaps she was afraid of damaging the prongs.
I had a neighbor who had a loose diamond in her engagement ring and hot glued it until she could get to the jeweler. She got busy and never went. Her granddaughter got it repaired after the old lady had died.
greg