Cinderella pearls

by Barbara
(Southern Scotland)

I bought these pearls from a lady who had got them from her great aunt and had never worn them.When I saw them I realised why! They were so dirty that you couldn’t see the individual pearls in the clasp for “gunk”.It took an afternoon to clean them up and reveal the lovely clasp and pearls.The clasp is 9 ct gold,has a London makers mark and is dated for 1884!I had the strands restrung,and jeweller who restrung them phoned me and suggested I had them examined by a Pearl expert,but as I’ve no intention of selling,and couldn’t afford to insure them if they are special,I will just enjoy wearing them as they are!