| Hi Olga,
Why do pearls turn? There is no "official" explanation that I have heard but my idea is the following: Nacre is laid down layer on top of layer and under magnification can be seen as a series of very spread out steps. The way the nacre is deposited is fixed so every time a layer is laid down, it pulls the entire pearl to fit onto the next step, rotating the whole deal. Does that make sense? This is why the vast majority of pearls are centrally symmetrical and not baroque.
Where you place the nucleus in the body of the oyster is entirely by your choosing. Everyone has always been searching for "the spot" that makes all the rounds (not the circles) but I guess knowing the best spot just comes down to the skill and art of the individual who is seeding the pearls. Circles and baroques are my personal favorites so I guess it's a good thing that we haven't figured it all out yet. |