These Pearls!!! Could they be the rarest?!

[Dixielnd_Pet_Rck_hntr]

A while back I bought an old peddle driven Singer sewing machine in the original cabinet. I cleaned all the extra "crap" that came with it out of the drawers and put it all in a zip lock. A couple nights ago I went to move the bag for some reason and I noticed the broken necklace I had seen before when putting all the items from the cabinet together. Then I just passed it off as an old vintage bead necklace maybe made from brass or copper. At this glance I noticed the lobster claw clasp and told myself that it was silver. I fetched my magnifier and sure enough I saw the trademark on one side and the 925 on the other. With interest peaked somewhat I paid closer attention to the chocolate covered beads that were strung on it with most of them off the necklace itself because it was broken. Seeing the inconsistent sizes and irregular circumstances on some I knew it meant they were pearls. As soon as i did the tooth test I knew that they were just that. I have had a couple strings of white freshwater pearls in the past but had never come across any like these. I did my research and it led me to Tahitian pearls of this color. Said to be the rarest in the world. I have exhausted all of my knowledge and efforts into validating them as best as I could. I know they are pearls, I have looked at them through a loop and the drill holes aren't consistent nor does it look to be any lighter color on the inside of them. I have scrubbed them the best I could with acetone and cotton balls and no signs of pigment coming off. I am listing a few pictures of them. If anyone could give me their 2 cents or point me in a better direction to find out I would appreciate it. They will be for sale! One more addition to the story. Among the items recovered along with the pearls was an original campaign button for Alton B. Parker. That was from 1904 so I would assume the pearls would date back close to that Era as well. Thank you and I hope to hear from you!

 

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[ARC]

What you have is called "chocolate".

Tahitian Chocolate pearls.

 

[outlaws15]

I only read one article about your pearls and read they have only been around for about a decade. I didn't see when the article was written, but the company started in 1959. Maui divers was the company. I could be putting out bad info, because I can't verify this company. I will try to paste the article.
https://www.mauidivers.com/pages/chocolate-tahitian-pearls-education

 

[Red-Coat]

I only read one article about your pearls and read they have only been around for about a decade. I didn't see when the article was written, but the company started in 1959. Maui divers was the company. I could be putting out bad info, because I can't verify this company. I will try to paste the article.
https://www.mauidivers.com/pages/chocolate-tahitian-pearls-education

That dating only relates to the specific treatment used by that company. Tahitian chocolate pearls have been around for a lot longer than that, although not necessarily referred to by that name. Pearls with that colouration do occur naturally but are very rare, and it would be virtually impossible to assemble a matched string. More usually these are black pearls which have been bleached to a uniform colour shade and then dyed to give them that bronzed appearance. Since the original pearls are also rather scarce, if you see a matched set, they will almost certainly be cultured. The alteration of the colour can be from dyes per se (which you can often detect by using a solvent, as you tried) but the alternative process is to soak them in silver nitrate and then expose them to sunlight to develop the bronzing. That's more difficult to detect.

PS: Welcome to Tnet

 

[Dixielnd_Pet_Rck_hntr]

Thanks for the information! I appreciate it.

 

[Red-Coat]

Just a bit more about your necklace. It’s by the Honora Jewelry Company founded by Jerome Grossbardt in New York c.1948. Although this (Honomoto) trademark was only registered by the company in 1982, the registration claims that it was ‘first used in commerce’ in 1948:



They designed and produced a wide variety of styles and pearl types jewelry into bracelets, necklaces, rings, earrings and pendants using fine quality fresh water cultured pearls from top producers in Japan, China and various South Sea countries.

Typical selling prices for short strands of their chocolate pearls range from about £30 to £60 (say $40 to $80), depending somewhat on pearl quality and how early in the 1900s they were made.

 

[Madmox]

Just to add to the conversation. They are very likely cultured pearls and are nacre laid over a seed as true natural pearls are FAR more expensive (and rare) as Red-Coat said and probably would not have a silver clasp as a result. Not to mention, the first half the century was the absolute hay day for cultured pearls as the process had just been perfected by Mikimoto. Which are still considered some of the best pearls in the world albeit cultured and command a fair price as a result. Unfortunately in the last few decades pearls have been somewhat out of vogue and the Far East has really ramped up production of cultured pearls really saturating the market driving prices WAY down.

 

[Digger RJ]

Nice!!!!! Congrats!!!!!

 

[Wildcat1750]

Interesting find...

 

[Dixielnd_Pet_Rck_hntr]

Man that is awesome to hear! I absolutely love all your chimes! Hi