Ok. I just managed to get my jaw closed after stumbling across this remarkable piece. Will try my hand at posting a link to it.
http://www.jewelrytelevision.com/ind...7362&R=2800504
So, what the *&%# is a faceted tahitian pearl and how is it done and why, but the effect looks amazing (to say nothing of the bazillion gems surrounding it...and still the pearl wins out...)