Love Those Vintage Pearls!

re: Love Those Vintage Pearls!

vwayne — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 16:47:07 GMT

Gosh, I never could pass up a beautiful strand of vintage faux pearls - especially the high end kind, like, Panetta, Miriam Haskell, Majorica. Great article, but I sure do wish someone could tell me how to recoat the pearls that need it. I have tested with all sorts of lacquers & enamels and still can't get the luster I'm looking for. I know that pearl dips, sprays, and coatings are super secret in that trade; but surely some of us regulars might be privy to something. Has anybody had any luck?

re: Love Those Vintage Pearls!

vwayne — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 16:45:54 GMT

re: Love Those Vintage Pearls!

Jehanni — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 01:29:42 GMT

My favorite strand of my grandmother's vintage faux pearls has a sequence of three different sizes of pearls repeated. My sisters and I loved them almost to death when we were children, scratching and flaking the coating. However, I've always loved the variegated size rope design. Last year at one of the gem and jewelry shows that comes through town, I bought round freshwater pearls in three sizes, so I can recreate my grandmother's necklace in "real" pearls.

re: Love Those Vintage Pearls!

smae13@verizon.net — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 00:50:17 GMT

I think pearls will dissolve in vinegar, not sure but would suggest you investigate thoroughly before going to far.

re: Love Those Vintage Pearls!

smae13@verizon.net — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 00:50:10 GMT

I think pearls will dissolve in vinegar, not sure but would suggest you investigate thoroughly before going to far.

re: Love Those Vintage Pearls!

ctutt — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 17:20:28 GMT

On the subject of faux pearls…if you are at a thrift store or flea market and see pearls at a bargain price, pick up a strand and rub one of the beads against your front teeth. If it just slides up and down, slick like a piece of glass, it's faux. If, however, it causes a sort of 'skritchy,' grating feeling -- casually buy them, because those are the REAL THING. ;-)

re: Love Those Vintage Pearls!

phatkhat — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 09:11:39 GMT

Does anyone know what vinegar will do to old faux pearls? I'm afraid to try it, but I have a cool brooch with faux pearls and rhinestones - and verdigris. Vinegar will usually kill the verdigris, but I don't want to dissolve the coating on the pearls!

re: Love Those Vintage Pearls!

KipperCat — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 19:35:58 GMT

I have some lovely vintage pearls that I would like to reuse. I wish I knew how to tell the durability of different strands. Some of those I have are badly flaked. I'm not sure if the others are better quality, or were just never worn. I really appreciate the cleaning instructions, as that is something else I wasn't sure about.

re: Love Those Vintage Pearls!

rlanplein — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 14:52:29 GMT

So funny that you should post this - my mom just gave me a vintage 5 strand pearl necklace of my great grandmas to fix for her. While I was excited to work with it I was a little apprehensive too. After reading your post - well I just might start on them today. Thanks!!