The sale of natural pearls, known as fine pearls in the form of necklaces, rings, earrings, brooches or pins decorated with fine pearls has become a speciality of the AGUTTES auction house. We organize 4 annual sales of fine pearls on jewellery. The quality and variety of these sales has therefore enabled us to establish a very solid link with collectors, 90% of whom are international.
In these sales are proposed a large number of fine pearls with very varied characteristics, sizes, shapes and colours. The value of these pearls can vary considerably according to all these elements that only a specialist can judge; ranging from 1000€ to 100 000€, 150 000€ or even 200 000 – 300 000€ for a necklace that “might seem” classic.
The AGUTTES auction house offers you free and confidential appraisals for sale, by appointment with its expert in Jewellery and Fine Pearls Philippine Dupré la Tour, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Lyon or in your regions during the regularly organized appraisal days.
Questions to the fine pearl specialist at Aguttes, auctioneer.
– Question: Mrs. Dupré la Tour, you are currently at the forefront of the fine pearl market with important discoveries and prices realized in sales. How do you explain these record prices?
Philippine Dupré la Tour: The market for fine pearls is little known and is generally discreet in the great world of jewellery. However, it currently deserves all our attention because the selling prices are very high and are always a source of joy and surprise for our sellers. Fine pearls, cultured pearls, freshwater pearls, Tahitian pearls… what is the difference? The appellation is quite similar, the visuals too and yet…After the beginning of the 20th century, the fishing of fine pearls was banned, cultured pearls came on the market in the 1920s and 1930s. The public was quickly seduced by these pearls, all the more so as they have good selling points; a much more affordable price for a jewel that “looks” visually identical. But time will not be an ally for this sector; in one century the production of cultured pearls has not stopped increasing and unfortunately has become too common a product which has therefore lost a lot of value. The fine pearl, on the other hand, which has become rare, is currently a strong value in the world of jewellery.
– Question: So there are fine and cultured pearls on the market?
Philippine Dupré la Tour: Apparently very similar, these two types of pearls have differences that are certainly difficult to perceive for the layman, but which allow me, as a regular expert, to detect them in an almost incontestable way. The result is astonishing in value since prices can vary from a few dozen euros for a cultured pearl to thousands of euros for a pearl of the same size but fine. Imagine when it is a necklace…
– Question : Is there a trick to see the difference ?
PDLT: The eye decides. My experience and my profession, regularly maintained, allow me to detect it? Then in a second step it will be necessary to make a laboratory analysis in order to check the internal structure of the pearl.
– Question: Who is the buyer?
PDLT: We know the buyers, collectors or brokers who are looking for these pearls. They are scattered all over the world, and we have good relationships with them. We introduce them all to us and we put them in competition with each other.
-Question: If you think you have fine pearls, how do you go about it? If you wish to know the value of your fine pearls I am at your disposal for an appointment. The important criteria for the estimation are the size, the orient, the shape and the luster of the pearl. Do not hesitate to contact me.
Sales in preparation Fine pearls – October – December – March and June
