[Caitlin]

Here is a picture that shows the translucent part of the pearl. You can almost see through it. It is not too pretty in this pearl because it is so baroque. It is the rounds ones with water that are so gorgeous.... This one shows how it looks like horn, but it is cold like a mineral.

[Caitlin]

I regret not staying longer to get more photos. It was rather overwhelming. Dang I wish Blaire had been there!

I am looking for a photo that shows water better. When you move the pearl the iridescence jumps in and out depending on where the light is. When I capture the sheets of iridescence, it kind of blocks the translucency. When I don't, it looks way too organic.

I saw one that I loved...it was top shaped, pointed on the top, round beneath. It had water around the transition between the top and bottom at the edges. I want it so bad, but it is part of a lot that all got certified together, so will get sold together. <sad>

Here is one that shows the red background through the pearl.

[pattye]

Hi Caitlin,

That's a good one! I think it is difficult because of the red background--here is another of Dr. Tom's. You took the photo---


The water especially shows at the bottom or the lower side of the lower pearl--the translucent area---don't you think?


Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[GemGeek]

I didn't see Dr Tom's pearls in person, but this pearl's water and orient are very clear in the photo. And unbelievable in person!

You could literally see into the pearl.

[pattye]

Wow! Blaire,

Is that one yours??? Perfect example, too!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[GemGeek]

Originally Posted by pattye

Wow! Blaire,

Is that one yours??? Perfect example, too!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

LOL! The Paspley Police kept a very close eye on me!!!

[Caitlin]

too bad Octavia wasn't there to eat it.......

[jerin]

Originally Posted by jeanpn

Just when I thought I had it.

Hi Jean,

I think the orient is called overtone in Tahitian pearls but in my opinion you could call it orient as well, because it is the rainbow like colouration above the bodycolour that is meant.

I don´t think it would be easy to see "water" in a dark Tahitian but on the white South Sea pearl that Blaire posted, I think, you can see the rainbowcolours of the orient and the "depth" into the pearl that I believe is what we call "water" and it looks like layers of transparent veils (I am a most practical person, so for me to get so poetic is quite something).

[Valeria101]

Take a look here:

http://pearl-guide.com/forum/showthr...0563#post30563

the example was too funny to make it any less then a new thread!

[Raisondetre]

I find that water shows up best especially when you look at a pearl's reflection in the mirror. I think the refractive error or doubling the viewing distance makes it more obvious. For high grade pearls it should show up without, but that's just my observation, no scientific evidence to back it up.

[smetzler]

Originally Posted by GemGeek

LOL! The Paspley Police kept a very close eye on me!!!

We'll, as participant in previous threads on the subject and instigator of much of the head scratching here concerning overly liberal use of the term 'orient', Blaire's pearl (or Blaire's photo) takes the cake. I agree with Pattye…please tell us whatever you can about that one…

[silverseajewelry]

Question: I know Cortez pearls have orient, but can they also have water??

That's a phenomenal example, Blair.

[jeanpn]

Originally Posted by Valeria101

Take a look here:

http://pearl-guide.com/forum/showthr...0563#post30563

the example was too funny to make it any less then a new thread!

So according to the GIA the overtone of a pearl can be orient. That clears everything up.
Jean

[GemGeek]

Water is a rare attribute in pearls. I haven't noticed the water quality in Sea of Cortez, but their defining characteristic is orient. I imagine that Douglas may have seen a hint of it in pearls allowed to stay longer in the shell. Perhaps he'll chime in?

The photo I posted is from Paspaley's "specials" in the Darwin office, a museum quality collection of incredible pearls that could be for sale if the right price came along. Probably offered to high-end designers. We were shown some custom orders that were waiting to be sent to designers of haute couture jewelry. On seeing them, I felt haute and had to fan myself after viewing them!

[smetzler]

Originally Posted by jeanpn

So according to the GIA the overtone of a pearl can be orient. That clears everything up.
Jean

When you write the book, that is pretty much the end of the story. Same with the British and world history.

The term orient, (originating in natural pearls from the Middle East) is just too romantic a concept not to continue to be applied to our modern-day pearls, as Josh stated. One might term it a natural evolution of language. But tradition is another matter, and application varies from region to region as evidenced by the countless contradictions on the matter in Strack (we've been through all this before, however…).