[imanit]

I received this Cortez sea shell as a gift.
Is it worth cutting out the mabe out of it ??
How would you cut it ( what shape and size arroung the pearl ??
Who can do it ( how should I look for a specialist capable of doing it without destroying it ??

Or... you would keep it as it is...:

[imanit]

any ideas ????

[Mikeyy]

I wouldn't. But that's just me. It makes a nice conversation piece the way it is. I have a bunch of Maxima Mabe shells that I have kept the way they are. Put them in a shell panel and they look fine.

[Pearl_dreams]

I agree--- it is beautiful just the way it is. I have a few gorgeous shells on display and get as much pleasure out of them as I do my jewelry.

[imanit]

Thanks for confirming what I think...
I have this shell for over a year and till now I never considered to "cut it". I love it the way it is.

[Kevin Canning]

isn't that a quagmire eh hmm....

I think I agree with mike, its a great conversation piece and a good excuse to display a beautiful shell and pearl around the house.

I keep several shells filled with loose pearls around the house and office, people just love picking them inspecting them.

Candy dish anyone?

[pattye]

Hi Ivona,

Yes, I agree also that leave it as is. I would love to have one like that. If you ever get an overpowering desire to do something with it, you might contact our friend who posts here, Marc, (JMarcus) who seems to know all about the correct way to fill and back a mabe.

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[Casey.R]

I agree that it's best as is. But I would have been tempted too!

[GemGeek]

I'd love to have one for my collection. It's fascinating - different from each angle! I vote to keep it whole.

[J Marcus]

I agree as well. It's a lovely display item. I keep a number of shells, agates and other materials that I've bought as cutting rough in the house. Visitors enjoy looking at them. Do you happen to know if it is cultured? It has the appearance of one. If so, then I'm sure that if you wanted one for a piece of jewelry you could obtain another one for that purpose.

Marc
http://www.flyrodjewelry.com/home.html

[Nerida]

Ivona - I would keep the piece just as it is. If you take it out - it's "just" another pearl - but in situ - WOW!! Perfect conversation piece! AND has all the organic beauty in tact. It is lovely.

[imanit]

Thank you all.... This unanimous advice will stop me any future "temptations". When I got it - I displayed it. "Cutting" it did not even cross my mind. Seeing on this forum beautiful creations that some of you do/have out of mabe pearls made me doubt my decision to leave it as is.... now... no more doubt !!!

[Mikeyy]

Thought I would share a few shells

[imanit]

wow !!!!!!!!!!

[Mikeyy]

Originally Posted by imanit

wow !!!!!!!!!!

Awe Shucks. I have been digging out some of these things ever since I have been on this forum. I have a box full of mabe shells like that somewhere. The shell carvings were made by a local in Broome. They say he died from breathing the dust from his work. Probably another urban legend. I have other carved shells that are more detailed. But these two were not made commercially. So I give them more attention.

And the boat is made by a friend in Guangzhou. I'll bet I know someone else on this board who has one.