[GemGeek]

Originally Posted by Casey.R

So would there be an obvious difference between a "keshi" that happened naturally in freshwater pearl production and a regenerated pearl?

Shape would be an indicator, as a regenerated pearl is from a collapsed sac, so it would have a flatter shape. Maybe.

[GemGeek]

I'm guessing maybe petal cornflake looking pearls are just another look that regenerted "keshi" pearls can take on. Anyone know?

Cornflake, or keshi petal pearls are just kept in the water a shorter time than the bigger "keshi" pearls. Turn them over faster and make more money! Or maybe a bigger mollusk is involved...

[jshepherd]

Yes, to me petal pearls are a form of "keshi" or regenerated pearls. That is certainly how they are sold in China. However I usually think of petal pearls as being thinner (flatter) and usually drilled through the apex of the pearl. The ones I posted above are much thicker, and in places, quite nuggety.

Nerida,

The only difference is the time in the water. The process is the same.

If I got things right, then keshi-pearls are when the oyster/mussel rejects the nucleus and spit it out right? And rebirth-pearls are when you put a nuclei in the mussel/oyster for the second time? Isn't that the same as petal pearls if so? If going by the information on this thread that is. freshwater- keshi ???

Mervione,

Keshi pearls are, the the truest sense, accidental pearls. This can happen when the mollusk rejects the nucleus, but it also happens for a lot of other reasons.
Regenerated pearls are pearls that are grown in existing pearl sacs intentionally.
When pearls are harvested, freshwater pearls in this conversation, the pearls are pulled from the pearl sacs. The pearl sacs are not removed, only the pearls. The mussels are returned to the water and the pearl sacs continue to deposit nacre. The pearl that was the recipient of the nacre is no longer there, but the nacre deposition continues. This forms a "keshi" pearl that has the shape of the pearl sac.

[pearlescence]

The very thin petal pearls are very wow, for want of a better expression. I have some but haven't yet come up with a really good way to use them to show off how beautiful they are. Some of them are so thin I am amazed that they are drilled successfully. The spoilage must be huge.

[Nerida]

Thanks Jeremy. Yes, I thought that it was just a "time in the water" issue with the difference between what I think of as petal pearls and the in the photo (sorry, "keshi"). To me, a petal pearl is just a descriptive term used for keshi that turn out a certain way. So the higher price that I paid for this (& other) strands is probably justified due to the increased production time? I find these pearls fascinating - iridescence is amazing, and the fact that they are thicker means they are substantial pearls on a strand, withstanding longitudinal drilling.

[JWei]

I think that the petal pearls are regenerated after the mollusk has produced the coin pearls. The pearls in Nerida's photo is probably regenerated pearls after the mollusk has produced the normal pearls.

The second generation pearls have "similar" form of the first generation pearls because of the sac.

[waimeamomi]

Here are some pearls I just received today from, well, my favorite pearl seller. I love them and they are gorgeous. The description explained that they fit the description of 2nd generation or reborn pearls, and when one was cut open there was no bead. They are really wild (and insane, and breathtaking and gorgeous). If I were going to give them a name, I would call them Poo Pearls, because, well the shape is kind of like poo. (sorry) They have some interesting features, including some bumps that look like a bead might be trying to escape, and a round hole in one. The colors are phenomenal, and Iʻm excited to figure out what to do with them. So, here are some pictures.

[waimeamomi]

More pics.

[Nerida]

Hi Sheryl - I have bought some very similar. The ones in my earlier post are probably like that (and my others) only a little more even in texture and colours. I actually bought them as insane, wild, gorgeous iridescent superlative-laden pearls from one of our favourite sellers, too!