[Mikeyy]

I am the second largest supplier of nuclei to the Australian pearl industry. So I would say that Nuclei is the only way to go. I'll bet your shocked to hear that from me. I am new to this site. So I will just say hello to all.

I am Mike Venovich from Divers Direct. I have been supplying the freshwater shell for making nuclei since 1989. And I have been supplying the Aussie Pearling industry with their nuclei since 1990.

[Caitlin]

Hi Mike
Welcome. Where are you located? What mollusk is the Australian pearl industry using for nucleii? I assume it is Mississippi river drainage system?

Caitlin, I've only now see this thread started a long time ago. The opening post is from three years ago. Would you add/change anything three years later?

[Caitlin]

That list was gathered from various posts and positions- I tried to be fair and list everything I found. I am open to anyone's opinion- I would be happy to update it, esp. since the vapor disposition idea came from the Z.

I will add that I think solid nacre akoyas, ssp and Tahitians would be mighty expensive to cultivate. It is culturing such pearls that has brought them to a wider public.

BTW I love the commercial grade freshwater pearls. The dye jobs are often garish, but they are fun. I made a necklace with chartreuse CFW pearls once. I love it. this year I have been collecting dyed purples of various shades. they are quite candy apple metallic looking, and my younger college daughter loves the long ropes I can make for less than $10-.

I also have to add that I will never be able to afford Tahitians, but I have collected peacock dyed CFWP instead. They are very pretty and don't fool anyone with the slightest knowledge of CFWP, but I could buy them in 12mm and even larger for really cheap a few years ago. The prices are rising on large CFWP now though they remain a fraction of the big nucleated sea pearls.

[AdamLasVegas]

For the record, I will pay a premium for CFWP that are tissue only and are large Pear/tear drop shape.

[Mikeyy]

Originally Posted by Caitlin Williams

Hi Mike
Welcome. Where are you located? What mollusk is the Australian pearl industry using for nucleii? I assume it is Mississippi river drainage system?

Hi Caitlan

I am in Newport Beach right now. And yes the nuclei is made of fresh water mussels. I am shipping shell from Illinois to China where it is manufactured in to beads as you've seen at the Fukui factory. My company is headquartered in Illinois. But its cold there. So I'm here for the winter. And I will head to HK and China pretty soon.

I was commenting on what a good idea this site is. Its about time.

I love pearls too. In fact I don't even like to drill them. But thats just me.

Originally Posted by Mikeyy

Hi Caitlan

I am in Newport Beach right now. And yes the nuclei is made of fresh water mussels. I am shipping shell from Illinois to China where it is manufactured in to beads as you've seen at the Fukui factory. My company is headquartered in Illinois. But its cold there. So I'm here for the winter. And I will head to HK and China pretty soon.

I was commenting on what a good idea this site is. Its about time.

I love pearls too. In fact I don't even like to drill them. But thats just me.

Welcome from sunny San Diego. My brother lives in the back bay, by the way. I hope you'll stick around and join our pearl-happy group!

Cheers,
Blaire

Didn't have any changes in mind... just wondering. It seems such a long time!

I've learned to ... live with a strand of nucleated pearls in the same room since starting to post here Maybe I should see what happens if I touched one !!?? LOL! I am being ridiculous, in writing, on a public forum Who knows, maybe the bead-nucleated pearl in cause will just scream and run!

[Mikeyy]

Originally Posted by GemGeek

Welcome from sunny San Diego. My brother lives in the back bay, by the way. I hope you'll stick around and join our pearl-happy group!

Cheers,
Blaire

Thnks Blair

I have been bike riding around the back bay lately.(Didn't see your bro yet)

[Josh]

Welcome Mikey! I was interested to read that you do nuclei for the Aussie market. I am a farmer in French Polynesia but also have a secondary activity in the shell/nuclei trade here (SARL Inami). Some years ago I started grafting with MOP from non other than your Maxima shells as well as our Pinctadas. In independent tests run by the gov here they found 3% more A (AAA in American system) grade pearls with these nucs. Using Pinctada MOP's enables us to lay off the overfished freshwater species on top of producing superior pearls. On top of all that it's recycling man, recycling. Cheers, Josh

[Mikeyy]

Hey fella you lookin for a fight. Kidding aside, been there done that. Really. Its good to meet you though Josh. I'm not here to sell nuclei first of all. And I am not going to tell you what to put in your shell. Their your shell. And besides, I am as busy as I need to be in that dept.

I am here to learn from all of you. I started digging mussels in the Mississippi in 1968 at 13. I could write a book about my adventures in this business. As I'm sure you could.

Here's the thing. Although I love pearls I have never taken the time to learn about the pearl marketing industry. I've been to the HK shows a few times. Other smaller shows. I obviously know people in the trade. But I always new that to do it properly you would have to spend a lot of time at it. Time I didn't use to have so much of. So silly as it may sound. I am at a time in my life where I have the time. And I'm wanting to educate myself in this end of the business. And I don't feel like burdening my friends. If you know what I mean.

So, Any education you could send my way regarding the pearl marketing biz would be appreciated. And I will in turn keep my opinions about salt water nuclei to myself.

[Josh]

Ahahaha! I love it. The red angry man is a welcome change from all those cheesy smiley faces (this is where I duck as rotten vegetables fly towards my head).
Nice to meet you too Mikey. I'm not here to sell nuclei either. It's a tough game to share with the Chinese. The bulk of that business for me is the shells. The Chinese are buying them not selling them.
As for your education in the business/industry of pearls, just read this forum for starters. The need for credibilty here has spawned a source of information that is second to none.
Secondly, you could go to show coming up in Tucson. Then again, it may not be big enough for the two of us. Damn. After talking trash about smilies, I can't use one.

Ahem, excuse me,

Josh, does this mean you will be at Tucson?

Hope, hope,

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[Josh]

Well that depends if Mikey is a big fellow.

[Caitlin]

HI Pattye
I thought I read that he was coming here for the show.

Mikeyy
You're based in IL, but do you buy shells from various rivers? What kind(s) of mussel do you use most? Every month or so, I post an article about the rivers and streams where freshwater mussels are dying out. It would be nice to know where they are still plentiful. Any news articles about you? We can post links here.

BTW What do you do with the pearls?

Hi Josh
I often put smileys, because people often do not read the tone of a post right and may feel put off.