July 30, 2010
X-rays for Pearls
Question: I have a string of what I believe to be “natural” pearls from the 30′s or 40′s. They were given to me by my mother in law as a wedding gift. They were given to her by her father who was a jeweler in Peru. How can I get these x-rayed?
Answer: The x-rays needed to determine the origin of the pearls can be obtained through a local jeweler – but then must be sent to the Gemological Institute of America for the test. Unfortunately, it’s not the same x-rays that a dentist uses!
You can locate an American Gem Society jeweler in your area from the website – click on Find a Jeweler. They can help you safely send them off with the proper insurance. They can also get an estimate of the charges for you before you decide to proceed. …Dii
