Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 18

Gump s Pearl and Opal Necklace Features Rare Authentic Biwa Pearls

Name: Gump's Pearl and Opal Necklace Features Rare & Authentic Biwa Pearls
Brand: Gump's San Francisco
Rating: 5 (147 reviews)

Price:$7,287.50

About the Item

It was at the turn of the century that Japanese pearl farmers began culturing pearls with the Biwa Pearl Mussel in Japan's largest lake, Lake Biwa. The resulting pearls were spectacular and spectacularly popular. The height of Lake Biwa pearl production was in 1971. Over-farming and pollution lead to the near extinction of the Biwa Pearl Mussel. Production of cultured pearls from Lake Biwa continues in a much more limited fashion and with a hybrid mollusk and not the original Biwa Pearl Mussel. This 16" necklace is an extraordinarily rare and precious jewel composed of four strands of authentic, original 4-ish mm Lake Biwa pearls totaling 328 pearls. They remain on their original silk strings with knots hand-tied between each pearl. This necklace, along with coordinating earrings, bracelet, and ring, is featured in the 1970-1971 Gump's San Francisco catalog. There were at least two different clasp options that I know of and this particular necklace features, in my opinion, the superior clasp: an Australian white opal —almost certainly from the Coober Pedy mines— that is ablaze in color: green, blue, pink, red, yellow. Milky and washed-out, this opal is not. Gump's always used the finest gems in their jewelry. The Australian opal is prong-set atop a classic Gump's 14K yellow gold clasp in perfect working order, complete with safety catch. This opal is fine enough to be a ring all on its own. The opal is bright and displays the full spectrum of colors, which is rare and makes the opal all by itself a high-value gemstone. "Lake Biwa Pearls" are more popular now than ever before and the phrase has come to be synonymous with any high-quality Japanese freshwater pearls. But make no mistake: *only* pearls from Japan's Lake Biwa may be called "Lake Biwa Pearls," and while pearls are once more being produced now that clean-up efforts have reduced pollution, there are no pearls being produced by the original Biwa pearl mussel. This necklace is a magnificent artifact of a lost-era. It is the product of a cleaner world. It is four strands of the most perfect and perfectly luminous pearls you will ever in your life see. A single strand of original, 1970-1971 Lake Biwa pearls is indeed a remarkable treasure to possess. Four stands of such pearls is an extravagance beyond measure. There is no damage to any single pearl. All the pearls look as beautiful today as they did the day they were displayed within the Gump's display case. And the opal is without cracks, chips or crazing. This is an heirloom-quality necklace. The pearls are dense and have the most incredible surface luster. This versatile necklace is designed for the strands to be twisted but it looks fantastic without the twist, as pictured. Wear it with the opal in the back at the nape or in the front as a focal point. There is nothing like genuine Lake Biwa Pearls. This iconic Gump's masterpiece will be something you treasure for the rest of your life.

Creator:
Gump s San Francisco
Stone:
Opal,Pearl
Stone Cut:
Cabochon
Weight:
37.53 g
Dimensions:
Length: 16 in (406.4 mm)
Style:
Modern
Place of Origin:
China
Period:
Mid-20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1970
Condition:
Excellent condition with no signs of damage or repairs. No cracks or crazing to opal; all pearls in excellent condition. On original string.
Seller Location:
Northampton, MA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU158918787791

Mid-20th Century American Modern Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Aquamarine, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Gump s Aquamarine Necklace Estate Double Strand 14k Gold Freeform

$3,875

Free Shipping

L 29 in

Gumps Tumbled Aqua Bead Freshwater Pearl Multi-Stand Gold Necklace

Located in Stamford, CT

Gumps Aquamarine bead and freshwater pearl two strand necklace at 26 and 27 inches. Can be worn with the catch in the middle as a 53 inch long necklace as well. 118 genuine Aqua beads...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Aquamarine, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Gumps Tumbled Aqua Bead Freshwater Pearl Multi-Stand Gold Necklace

$2,495

Free Shipping

L 27 in

Necklace Gold Biwa Pearls Natural Crystal Amethyst

By Giulia Colussi

Located in Milan, IT

Special rose Biwa natural pearls coming from Japan very rare one, crystal druzy amethyst gold 18kt gr 8,70. Total length 45 cm. All Giulia Colussi jewelry is new and has never been p...

Category

2010s Italian Artisan Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Amethyst, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold

Necklace Gold Biwa Pearls Natural Crystal Amethyst

$2,594 Sale Price

20% Off

Free Shipping

Branch Coral and Pearl Necklace

Located in New York, NY

4 strand genuine branch coral and faux pearl necklace. Luxurious drape. 24" x 1.5" with gilt slide clasp. Excellent condition. 1960's Italy. Domestic Sales Only.

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Multi-Strand Necklaces

Materials

Coral, Gold Plate

Branch Coral and Pearl Necklace

$895

Free Shipping

W 1.5 in L 20 in

White Large Biwa Stick Pearls Paradizia Necklace

By Paradizia

Located in Laguna Beach, CA

Description Rare and organically sculpted, these luminous large Biwa freshwater pearls are elegantly accented with faceted 14k white gold beads creating a harmonious fusion of nature...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces

Materials

14k Gold, White Gold

White Large Biwa Stick Pearls Paradizia Necklace

$3,700

Free Shipping

L 16.5 in

Vintage Gump s White Coral 14K Yellow Gold 12mmBead Necklace Fine Estate Jewelry

By Gump s San Francisco

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Elegant and finely detailed 12mm Bead Necklace. Hand crafted in 14 Karat Yellow Gold. The Necklace epitomizes vintage charm, taking you from day to evening effortlessly. The Necklac...

Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Coral, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Vintage Gump s White Coral 14K Yellow Gold 12mmBead Necklace Fine Estate Jewelry

$4,997 Sale Price

33% Off

Free Shipping

Fabulous Victorian Ribbon and Pearl Bow Brooch on a Pearl Necklace

Located in Miami Beach, FL

This piece reminds me of Chanel. The Victorian bow brooch and the necklace can be worn together or seperately. The bow has ribbon and seed pearl...

Category

20th Century Victorian Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Natural Pearl, Pearl, 14k Gold

Fabulous Victorian Ribbon and Pearl Bow Brooch on a Pearl Necklace

$2,200

Free Shipping

W 26 in D 0.625 in

Copper Biwa Pearls with Copper Pearl Drops Paradizia Necklace

By Paradizia

Located in Laguna Beach, CA

Description Extremely large and lustrous Biwa stick pearls in a rich copper hue are paired with elegant copper-toned drop pearls, each crowned with a faceted 14k yellow gold bead for...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces

Materials

14k Gold, Gold-filled

Copper Biwa Pearls with Copper Pearl Drops Paradizia Necklace

$1,600

Free Shipping

L 16 in

Carved Emerald and Opal Beads 18K Gold Multi-Strand Necklace

By Royaal Stones Ltd

Located in Bangkok, Thailand

ALL OUR PRICES INCLUDE PREPAID TARRIFS & CUSTOMS DUTIES. A beautiful, art-deco looking 27.87 carat carved Zambian Emerald adorned with 2.35 carats White Diamonds all set in 25.40 gr...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Carved Emerald and Opal Beads 18K Gold Multi-Strand Necklace

$12,900

Free Shipping

L 42 in

Multi-Strand Cultured Pearl and Garnet Butterfly Necklace

Located in Miami Beach, FL

Triple-strand necklace featuring pear-shaped Chinese cultured pearls dyed in a golden hue accented with faceted garnets and silver-tone metal flowers and butterflies. Push button ton...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Garnet, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Base Metal

Multi-Strand Cultured Pearl and Garnet Butterfly Necklace

$175

Free Shipping

H 1.5 in W 0.25 in L 18 in

More From This Seller

View All

Gump s Lavender Jadeite Necklace Midcentury, Extraordinary

By Gump s San Francisco

Located in Northampton, MA

A necklace that is both extraordinarily beautiful and extraordinarily rare, this is 1960s-1070s Gump's San Francisco necklace composed of 51 highly translucent, natural and untreated...

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Modern Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Jade, 14k Gold

Gump s Lavender Jadeite Necklace Midcentury, Extraordinary

$7,359

Free Shipping

Vintage Gump s White Jade Ring

By Gump s San Francisco

Located in Northampton, MA

Perfectly unisex and exceedingly rare, this is an original Gump's San Francisco jade ring featuring an oval cabochon of natural and untreated white jadeite jade set into a hand-crafted 18k yellow gold mounting. The original Gump's of San Francisco was an iconic retailer known worldwide for their spectacular and always, always untreated natural jade jewelry...

Category

2010s North American Artisan Fashion Rings

Materials

Jade, 14k Gold

Vintage Gump s White Jade Ring

$4,400 Sale Price

20% Off

Free Shipping

Jade Necklace Double Necklace Certified Untreated Midcentury 9.5mm 20" 24"

Located in Northampton, MA

Grand, beautiful, and rare, this double-strand jade necklace features 114 approximately 9.5mm hand-carved and polished untreated Burmese jadeite beads. These are substantial, fine, o...

Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Multi-Strand Necklaces

Materials

Jade, 9k Gold

Jade Necklace Double Necklace Certified Untreated Midcentury 9.5mm 20" 24"

$5,260 Sale Price

20% Off

Free Shipping

Impossibly Rare Akoya “Twin Pearl” Necklace, 16" 18k Gold 1950s

Located in Northampton, MA

An extraordinary offering for the serious pearl collector or Akoya connoisseur: this midcentury (circa 1950s) 16" necklace is composed entirely of exceedingly rare twin Akoya pearls—...

Category

Vintage 1950s Japanese Artisan Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Pearl, 18k Gold

Impossibly Rare Akoya “Twin Pearl” Necklace, 16" 18k Gold 1950s

$9,400

Free Shipping

18K Gold Pendant Jade Egg, Circa 1970s, Gump s San Francisco

By Gump s San Francisco

Located in Northampton, MA

What a treasure for the Gump's collector and jade lover! This 1970's jewel from the iconic San Francisco retailer, Gump's, features a hand-carved deep forest green nephrite jade egg...

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Artisan Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Jade, 18k Gold

18K Gold Pendant Jade Egg, Circa 1970s, Gump s San Francisco

$2,620 Sale Price

20% Off

Free Shipping

Midcentury Pearl Necklace with Jade Clasp Luxury Cultured Akoya Pearls

Located in Northampton, MA

This pearl necklace features a certified jade clasp that has been certified natural and untreated. The creamy-white -almost golden- pearls average a luxurio...

Category