Hi all, I know I shouldn’t buy things that I don’t know anything
about, but in my defense, these were very pretty. I was at a show a
couple of months ago and picked up some shell pearls. The dealer
whose first language was not english kept assuring me that yes they
were pearls. “not freshwater, not saltwater, but real pearls”. I
got them home, looked more carefully and they look like they have
been dipped in something. Sort of blobs around the holes. I strung
them and they are still very pretty but I couldn’t sell the rest of
them unless I have some idea of their origin.
anybody know? Thanks. Betty
Hi all, I know I shouldn't buy things that I don't know anything about, but in my defense, these were very pretty. I was at a show a couple of months ago and picked up some shell pearls. The dealer whose first language was not english kept assuring me that yes they were pearls. "not freshwater, not saltwater, but real pearls". I got them home, looked more carefully and they look like they have been dipped in something. Sort of blobs around the holes. I strung them and they are still very pretty but I couldn't sell the rest of them unless I have some idea of their origin. anybody know? Thanks. Betty
Dear Betty, It sounds as if the origin of your pearls is man-made. If
there is goo or any other stuff around the holes of the pearls, they
aren’t natural. Think about it, if they are not freshwater or
saltwater pearls, what sort of water would they be formed in???
Brackish doesn’t count.
Suzanne
on the previous thread of finding “shell pearls”:
i just got the book “jewellery moves” by amanda game and elizabeth
goring from the library.
on page 26 of the soft-back book (sometimes the pagination is
different in the hard-back book.), there is a picture of a necklace by
rowena gough. the caption says it is made of “mother-of-pearl shell
buttons.” the text on page 27 says “…sensual neckpieces from
mother-of-pearl shell buttons. Pearl shell buttons… Australia
supplied over seventy-five per cent of the world’s shell buttons…”
from the text, it seems to me that “pearl shell” was used to mean
mother-of-pearl. that makes sense, since i gather that the pearly
substance of mop is not a pearl but part of the shell.
jean adkins
Hi,
In looking at different web sites I saw an advertisement for “shell
pearls” the seller was stating they are made from the shell of the
south sea pearl and basically the same. If I am not mistaken they are
similar to Mallorca pearls, price higher than costume because of the
labor.
After reading this ad I felt it was deceptive because the consumer
was led to believe they were getting a “cousin” to south seas. This
seller even called them cultured.
Anyone have any sites explaining about these?
Thanks!
Eva
These pearls are made from shell (mother of pearl beads) and then
they a coated with some kind of paint or other- so I do not know how
permanent the finish is-they are really faux pearls althoughtjhe beads
are made from mother of pearl instead of plastic.
Suzanne,
Sounds like the pearls you bought as “shell” pearls are imitations
often referred to as “shellies”. They are made from shell beads which
are dipped in a coating solution the primary ingredient of which is
ground fish scales. I know they are made in Okinawa, and suppose they
are also made elsewhere. They are really a good imitation, but can be
easily detected by the tooth test.Just rub them gently across the edge
of a front tooth. They will feel smooth whereas a natural or cultured
pearl will feel just slightly gritty.
Jerry in Kodiak