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Pearls created naturally are called Oriental. They are the result of an irriating substance like a grain of sand that causes the natural formation of a secretion called nacre within the oyster. Cultured pearls are made by nature with the help of man. This man-induced process originated and was patented by Kokichi Mikimoto in 1896. His technique involved introducing a small bead into the oyster shell, where it would be coated in nacre as in nature. Nacre, which is an iridescent shell like substance, coats the natural or man-induced irritant which forms a pearl. Around 1910, Pearls were immensely fashionable and remained extremely costly until Mikimoto's technique. Long pearl necklace had become more affordable and the great rarity of large natural pearls was undermined. Cultured and Oriental pearls both come from the oyster; however, there are fake pearls made with fish scales as well as glass beads covered by an iridescent wax-like coating called wax-bead pearls which originally came from Italy and Bohemia. The latter type will eventually turn into a dullish beige color whereas the Cultured or natural Oriental pearl will retain its high luster. There are some pearls that are formed in perfect rounds, others acquire a 'blister" or baroque shape. 1915-1916 was the year that the odd-shaped iridescent pearl was in demand and most of the came from Italy's Murano Island where artificial pearls were nothing more than GLASS covered by a paste made of fish scales. Note: The earliest reference I could find on Pearls: The Hellenistic period, spanning from 330 to 27 BC, which was rich in gold and jewelry. One of the most distinctive features of Hellenistic jewelry is it polychromy, using specially cut panels of colored stone or glass, and enamel. Garnets were frequently used, and even emeralds, amethysts and pearls toward the end of the period. |
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Vintage 12kt Goldfilled Cultured Pearl Pin and Screwback Earrings in Original Box. Original tags in box and on bottom. The pin has two leaves on each side of the cultured pearl. Each earring is one leaf with one pearl. There is a matte finish to the leaves with edges being shiny. The pin measures 2" x 1/2". The earrings are 1" x 1/2". Excellent condition. Not sure if they were ever worn.
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S422 Price: $33.00
This ring probably dates to the early 1900's, but has a much newer ring shank, which was probably replaced in the last 20 years. The twelve prong head is hand made and does a solid job of holding this pearl, which is natural, not cultured, and baroque. The shank looks to be a modern stamped ring to which is soldered to the pearl top. Size 6, unmarked, it tests and is guaranteed to be 14K. See SIDE VIEW.
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M389 Price: $73.00
Vintage Sterling Seed Pearl RING...in a grape motif. Size 7. Diamond cut leaves in sterling surround pronged set seed pearls. Stamped 925 inside.
M193 Price: $46.00
Newer Faux Pearl Chain Link gold tone Bracelet with safety chain and fold over clasp. There is slight damage to one pearl, otherwise this bracelet is in excellent condition. Double gold tone Chan links and ever third one has a prong set faux pearl. Measures 7-3/4" x 5/8".
BU116 Price: $14.00
Vintage Cultured Pearl Matte Gold Pin. This is not marked. The three 4mm pearls are Cultured and prong set. The setting is matte gold, but not around the edges of the flowers; this is a shiny gold color. The pin measures 2-1/4" x 1-1/4". Excellent condition.
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 PU669 Price: $24.00
12kt gf Cultured Pearl Floral Pin. The back is marked Mono 12kt GF Crown. No idea what that means. There is a prong set cultured pearl in the center. The pin has a brushed finish to it. Measures 1-7/8" x 3/4". Excellent condition.
PS836 Price: $14.00
Vintage Goldfilled Pearl Filigree Circle Pin in Original Box. A 6mm Cultured Pearl sits off to the side of the filigree leaf. The outer circle is solid goldfilled wire; the inner circle is filigree. Measures 1-1/16" in diameter. Never worn. Great gift idea!
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PU599 Price: $15.00
Victorian Gold Filled? Sword Pin with Genuine Pearls. I do not know the content of the gold - it has not been tested. The clasp has been replaced with a safety catch at some point in the past. The workmanship on this is beautiful - the top of sword is perfectly wire wrapped. This is a really nice piece. Measures 3" x 5/8". I'm selling this as goldfilled or rolled gold because I do not know the actual gold content. It's in very good to excellent condition other than noted above. The pearls look to be natural pearls and therefore not perfectly round - one even has a tiny blister on it. They have a wonderful luster. The bright side of the clasp replacement is that you will not lose this pin.
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PU593 Price: $42.00
1960s Les Bernard Handknotted Faux Pearl Necklace. Measuring 63" long and a screw barrel goldtone clasp. The pearls are 6 mm. Les Bernard Hang Tag. Good condition.
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 NS497 Price: $28.00
Beautiful Triple Strand of Pink Faux Pearls, Faux Coral (Glass) and Faux Pearls Choker. Beautiful color combination. the Faux Pink/Coral Pearls are 8 mm; the faux pearls are 6mm and the coral glass beads are 4mm. All strands are gathered into a tubular type silvertone clasp with a hammered hook and eye. The strand measures 18". Excellent condition.
NU669 Price: $24.00
Contemporary Graduated Faux Pearl Necklace measuring 24". The clasp is goldtone and push in and lock. These pearls are white in color and graduate in size. The smallest pearls (4mm) are closer to the clasp and the largest are 6mm. Excellent condition.
NU657 Price: $16.00
Vintage Handknotted 8mm Faux Pearls with Goldtone Pill Shaped Screw Clasp. These are beautiful and look like the real thing. Just a small tint to the pearls, they are not bright white. This strand measures 24". Really pretty.
NU656 Price: $28.00
Vintage Sterling Silver Tied Ribbon Cultured Pearl Pendant. This is so very pretty! There is a diamond cut design on parts of the ribbon that forms a bow with three small and two larger cultured pearls attached. The back is marked Sterling. The filigree clasp is marked silver. The pendant measures 1-1/2" x 7/8". The sterling chain measures 18". Excellent condition.
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NS431 Price: $34.00
Contemporary 6mm Rice-Shaped Freshwater Cultured Pearl Choker. These have an irridescent sheen and minor blemishes. Goldtone Lobster Clasp. Measures 18". Excellent condition.
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NU618 Price: $16.00
Contemporary Twisted Woven Goldtone Wire, Faux Pearl & Czech Druk Fire Polished Glass bead Choker. This is a beautiful piece. The choker measures 17" with a matte goldtone toggle clasp. 3/8" wide. Excellent condition.
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NU617 SOLD
Vintage 12kt GF Horseshoe Necklace with Cultured Pearl in original box with tag. This a beautifully made Horseshoe with a dangling Cultured Pearl in the center. The tag has jewelers stuff on it and it says Gen Pearl. The chain is a nice weight and measures 18". The horseshoe measures 7/8" x 5/8". Excellent condition. Never worn.
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NS416 Price: $34.00
Vintage Genuine Cultured Pearl Pendant in Original Box. This came from an estate of a woman who collected jewelry from the 40's and 50's and never wore it. This has never been worn. Unlike most of the lot, this doesn't seem to fit the 'fine jewelry' genre. It's a shiny goldtone on the edges of the flower and has cross haired texture on the inside. The cultured pearl is glued in. Not marked, other than the box stating Genuine Cultured Pearl. c 1950's.
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NU589 Price: $19.00
Avon Faux Pearl, gold tone Ribbon & Rhinestone Choker. Lovely faux pearls that are joined by a gold tone Ribbon set with clear rhinestones in the center. Two dangles of faux pearls and a gold tone spacer flow from the ribbon. Measures adjustable to 18". Excellent condition.
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NS355 Price: $16.00
Contemporary Triple Strand Faux Pearl Black Enamel Choker. The clasp has a hallmark that I haven't identified and am still researching. Triple strands of white faux pearls and black glass beads in groups of three, on either side of a faux pearl cabochon set into an oval gold tone setting that has two rows of clear rhinestones on the sides and black enamel top and bottom. The clasp is open worked with a center faux pearl. The strands are slightly graduating in length allowing for a draping of the strands around the neckline. The shortest length is 15-1/2". The centerpiece is 1-1/2" high x 1-3/4" wide. Like new.
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NU482 Price: $33.00
Joan Rivers Tear Drop Faux Pearl and RS Necklace. This is such a classy piece! There is a faux pearl tear drop with a gold tone and pave rhinestone setting. Dangles from a gorgeous box type chain that measures 35" long. Everything but the Pearl is in mint condition. With a loupe you can see a few tiny flea bites in the pearl - still in very good condition.
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NS296 Price: $28.00
These were given to me years ago, as Majorca Pearls. They are strung on sterling link chain...one white, one Grey. Measures 18". Pearls are in excellent condition. Sterling chain is dull, not polished . As Majorca advertised, "Before you buy Majorca, look at them beside a real strand of pearls." You can't tell the difference. These are gorgeous. Clasp is marked sterling. No other marks.
NU068 Price: $62.00
Vintage Japan Pink Faux Pearl Clip Back Earrings. c 1950s. These are in new condition. There are several sizes of pink faux pearls wired on to a silvertone setting. Marked Japan. Measure 1" in diameter. Very pretty!
EU336 Price: $7.00
Satin Finished Cranberry Faux Pearl & AB RS Clipback Earrings. These are BIG! They have the look of the 1940's, with brass leaves and faux pearls. However, the AB rhinestones were most popular in the 1960's and because these are BIG (1-3/4" in diameter), I have to assume these are late 50's early 60's. Lovely little faux pearl flowers with AB RS centers are set in amongst the brass leaves. Larger satin finished cranberry colored pearls are in the center with a larger faceted Aurora Borealis Rhinestone in the center. Marked Pat. Pend. on the goldtone setting. These are in excellent condition showing no wear. The picture doesn't show the true color of these Faux Pearls. Less yellow - an intense shade of red.
EU284 Price: $24.00
Cultured Pearl On a Leaf Clip Back Earrings. Lovely cultured pearl prong set in the center of the leaf. High quality gold tone setting. They measure 1" x 1/2". Excellent condition.
EU255 Price: $11.00
Contemporary Faux Pearl & gold tone clip back Earrings. These are so sweet... a faux pearl cab set into a gold tone fan like setting. 1-1/8" long x 1/2" wide. Excellent condition.
EU248 Price: $10.00
Contemporary Clip Back Blue Enamel and Faux Pearl Earrings. Very attractive earrings with blue enameling and faux pearls set in a wonderful gold tone setting. Each clip back has a pad for comfortable wear. The earrings measure 1-1/4" x 3/4". Excellent condition.
EU230 Price: $11.00
Contemporary Faux Pearl Drop Pierced Post Earrings. One large drop measures 1-3/8" x 1/2" and dangles from a twisted gold 3/4 circle that finishes off with a pierced post. Excellent condition.
EU229 Price: $12.00
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