Pendant necklace with a natural rare, "Gilded Old Mussel" Pearl.(ethically cultivated) True natural gem! Length: 2.8cm Width: 2.3cm Hand crafted Necklace: Length, 56cm, adjustable, with blue Topaz secondary stones. Topaz creation: unknown. Metal: unknown but stamped 925, not tested The term "gilded old mussel pearl" refers to natural freshwater pearls or shell blisters extracted from ancient, critically endangered European and North American river mussels. Because these wild mollusks can live for over 100 years, "old" pearls often boast deep nacre, rich coloration, and historical significance. The Secret of Old Freshwater Mussels: The Mollusk: Most natural freshwater gems come from the ancient Freshwater Pearl Mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera). Astonishing Lifespan: These wild creatures are some of the longest-living invertebrates in the world, with lifespans stretching between 86 to over 250 years. Rarity: Because they grow so slowly in the wild, finding a gem is incredibly rare. Historically, only about one in 3,000 to 5,000 wild mussels yields a usable pearl. What Makes Them "Gilded" and "Old"? Golden Hues: Certain native mussel species naturally produce pearls and inner shells with vibrant golden or yellowish tones (e.g., the Perreysia species). Age & Nacre: As the mussel ages, it coats irritants in multiple thick layers of nacre, granting these pearls an extremely durable, milky-white, or golden luster. Historical Prestige: Pearls from ancient European rivers have been treasured for centuries. The Crown of Scotland, which is the oldest piece of crown jewelry in the UK (dating back to 1540), is famously adorned with iridescent freshwater pearls harvested from Scottish rivers. Conservation & Modern Cultivation Wild Extinction Risks: Wild, long-lived mussel populations are now critically endangered across much of the globe due to pollution, climate change, and habitat loss. Because of this, harvesting them from the wild is highly restricted or illegal in many jurisdictions. Cultured Alternatives: Modern pearl farmers in China and North America carefully seed freshwater mussels (creating non-nucleated cultured pearls) to farm high-luster, vibrant pearls without damaging wild populations. *NO SHIPPING TO THE USA* Please note the sizes of the item listed and the description, photos are not the actual size of the item. Photos are enlarged and close ups to show the detail of the item listed. Lighting used to take photos can sometimes alter the colour in the photos and not correspond exactly to the true colour of the item, but we try to minimise differences in colour as much as possible. No extra tests are performed to obtain gemologist certificates, it is very costly and will increase the cost price of the item tremendously. No returns are accepted, see all photos before placing a bid. Also note the delivery costs comprise of postage, packaging, insurance and transport and are non refundable. If you are not satisfied with the delivery costs, then please do not bid on the item. If you do bid, then you agree to these costs and I would greatly appreciate it if you do not leave a negative review based on this. Parcel will be sent by registered mail and tracking number supplied. Once the parcel is sent, I cannot control the delivery time or problems that might arise during this process but if there are any problems, I will do my best to assist in any way possible. Deliveries to some countries may take 3 weeks or longer, please keep this in mind when placing a bid. Thank you.