Are Pearls Valuable?

by Kelly
(England)

My mom recently bought me a string of pearls. There are 260 on the necklace, and they look well matched and are an ivory colour. I was wondering if you could tell me a little about them, as I'm COMPLETELY clueless but I have been told by a lady in a jewellers that they are real and are probably worth around £200 - iis this right?.

I have no intention of selling them but I would be grateful to know whether I have to take special care of them. I would ask the shop where my mom purchased them from but I know they were from a second hand shop and she paid virtually nothing! I've posted some pictures but they were taken in artificial light with my phone camera, I hope they help and many thanks :)