Featured Some interesting bits in my latest jewellery haul

The first image looks like it has a Coldwater Creek leaf dangle on the necklace. That points to it being sterling with peridot chip beads and dyed "stick" pearls. CC sold a bunch of similar items about a decade back. (charged a pretty penny too, considering) I just bought a necklace of what are probably cultured freshwater pearls with the same clasp as image 2. I have yet to tooth test the pearls so we'll have to see what I get. The clasp is legit though. No idea who used it, but I'd bet on multiple factories.

 

And you’ve been telling me to test them with my teeth?!

 

Yes!

 

Thanks, Kyra, had never seen this before!

"The surface is smooth and has a harder and therefore more robust surface than natural pearls so neither perspiration, make-up, perfume, heat nor cold can damage it. In fact only an expert can tell the difference between a natural pearl and a Mallorca pearl"

Now to speak to the flammability of Mallorca pearls? Does anyone know if the resin BURNS? I ask because once when I was in a marketplace with strands of pearls for sale, I saw a seller take a bic lighter to one strand to show that they would not burn...

I thought, "how dumb" because the strings should still burn!

Here is another question I have about the prefab pearls - are the "attached" to the string, or still strung as beads and knotted in between?

 

If you rub real pearls on the bottom of your front teeth, they will feel gritty. It's kinda" like biting them. Faux pearls feel slick. However, in today's world, I would only use this test on pearls I own.

 

Majorica are individally knotted and treated as real ones for manufacture. They certainly are very robust.

 

Pearls in question are a shape I had not seen before, so was wondering whether, with only photos to go by, it was possible to know something more of their nature.

 

How are the holes of the white pearls? Neat and crisp or with a tiny "tube" surrounding?

 

I wonder about of that dust glued together - would the surface of the finish - burn?

Does anybody know for sure if one can splatter vinegar or other potentially damaging mild substance on Majorica pearls? I think some of the pearls I have may be that type and I don't even know it!

Sure seems possible after review of this thread and the links, thanks all.

 

I'd not use vinegar, but I've used a drop of Fairy liquid in water on them.

 

I think if you are referring to the first set in Biwa style and if they are are Mallorca they are ground and formed. I believe