Confused about my Pearls

by Emily Newkirk
(South Jordan, Utah)

My grandma gave me pearls for my 16th birthday. It came with a card, I think it was the authenticity card and type. I lost it and all I can remember about it is it was yellow credit card size and I think it said something about a akoya.

I printed a size guild and they are 8 mm and the length is about 18 inches (52 pearls. The pearls are round but when you look at each close they are not identical to the next ones. They have a knot between each pearl. The clasp is gold.

I don't want to be embarrassed and take them in to have then certified as genuine and ask for an appraisal if they are not real. In fact I have no idea where to go and do that. I wanted to upload some picture and maybe you can help me determine the type/quality and if they are possibly fake or real (best guess from a professional is all I ask).

Also if they probably are real maybe you can point me in a direction of where to get paper work to go with them. I am just so confused about them and I am not a jewelry person but I do not want to be irresponsible with something that is valuable. Any help would be greatly appreciated.