[smetzler]

Originally Posted by Caitlin

Does the above mean you are going to clam up? Please don't go away!

Got the same impression, also hope it's wrong. But it seems clear that this thread has been somewhat of a luxurious incongruity, as talk is cheap ('show me the money') and this forum is more about inclusiveness than exclusiveness. Another highlight albeit much shorter-lived than this thread during my time here at Pearl-Guide was NaturalPearls, until Mr. Mattar discovered that relatively few contributors here own an oil field or a mega IT enterprise.

[DrTKStern]

Originally Posted by smetzler

Got the same impression, also hope it's wrong. But it seems clear that this thread has been somewhat of a luxurious incongruity, as talk is cheap ('show me the money') and this forum is more about inclusiveness than exclusiveness. Another highlight albeit much shorter-lived than this thread during my time here at Pearl-Guide was NaturalPearls, until Mr. Mattar discovered that relatively few contributors here own an oil field or a mega IT enterprise.

Well, of course it's obvious that my purpose has been to present excitement to pearl lovers. These black ones are about 14-16mm with excellent luster, most likely Pterias formed out near the rim, where the shell is coal black.

Tom

Wow.

Really great.

I can't figure out how the pearls happen.

Where did you find them?


Yoon

Hi Dr. Tom,

Glad you are hanging around to tantalize us more! We are insatiable!!!!! Those are completely wonderful, and the blackest natural pearl I have ever seen........the shapes are so beautiful also-------------

[smetzler]

Almost looks like something they might have found on the Santa Margarita…

Many thanks!

[DrTKStern]

Originally Posted by smetzler

Almost looks like something they might have found on the Santa Margarita…

Many thanks!

At the moment I've got about 12 of the Santa Margarita pearls, and all of them are white; but I don't know if they have black ones in the 16,000. According to Strack, there was a strange event in 1740 or so when a huge number of Pterias drifted from the Pacific into Baja; and the galleons went down well before that.

Here are two more pictures of my black ones, a bit closer-up.

Tom

Originally Posted by DrTKStern

At the moment I've got about 12 of the Santa Margarita pearls, and all of them are white; but I don't know if they have black ones in the 16,000.

A presentation by Scarratt mentions colored pearls from the horde, some dark. I do not know if their preliminary results have been published.

Link to article at GIA

[DrTKStern]

Hi,

This 18mm, 78 grain natural saltwater porcelaneous pearl comes from Murex mollusk. Very rare. In other views has GREAT flame pattern equivalent to best conch phenomena.

Tom Stern,MD
San Francisco. CA
Titan Natural Pearls

[effisk]

Originally Posted by Valeria101

A presentation by Scarratt mentions colored pearls from the horde, some dark. I do not know if their preliminary results have been published.

Link to article at GIA

I was wondering, when did this presentation happen? There's no date on the article.

[DrTKStern]

Hi, All,

At the new Atlantis Hotel on one of Dubai's manmade islands, the Dubai Pearl Exchange will host the first Pearl Forum, two days in late February, 2009. Registration forms can be found by googling Dubai Pearl Exchange.

A number of great speakers will give presentations. I encourage any pearl person to attend.

Best to all,
Tom Stern,MD

[effisk]

Jeremy posted a message about this a few days ago
World Pearl Forum 2009 Site Launched

I'll probably be there.

[DrTKStern]

Originally Posted by effisk

Jeremy posted a message about this a few days ago
World Pearl Forum 2009 Site Launched

I'll probably be there.

Good. I look forward to meeting you face to face. Savings for early sign-ups, and I think for Atlantis rooms, which are quite expensive...up to $25,000 per night.

Tom

Originally Posted by DrTKStern

Hi,

This 18mm, 78 grain natural saltwater porcelaneous pearl comes from Murex mollusk. Very rare. In other views has GREAT flame pattern equivalent to best conch phenomena.

Tom Stern,MD
San Francisco. CA
Titan Natural Pearls

Oh, that's sooooo cool. Your super-macro photo is nothing short of awesome!

[effisk]

Originally Posted by DrTKStern

Good. I look forward to meeting you face to face. Savings for early sign-ups, and I think for Atlantis rooms, which are quite expensive...up to $25,000 per night.

I think I'll go for a cheaper alternative.

[knotty panda]

Originally Posted by effisk

I was wondering, when did this presentation happen? There's no date on the article.

Looks to be Sept or Oct, 2007.