[DrTKStern]

Hi, I am on a mission to find a pair of Mexican origin natural ocean pearls, preferably already GIA certified, or SSEF in Basel. Anyone know where to look?

Best regards,
Tom Stern,MD

[pattye]

Hi Dr. Tom,

You might try a pm or email to Douglas at CortezPearls here on the forum, he might be able to help you---

[Caitlin]

Hi Tom-
or call them and make an appt to visit their farm near Guaymas. Their pearls probably are not GIA certified, but I don't know. They are so recognizable once you know them. I hope you go look at a lot of them.

That is one cultured pearl I can overcome my loathing of PPB's (pearl plated beads), to embrace. I even have a lovely mabe (or blister?) from them. They may even get some keshi...

[DrTKStern]

Originally Posted by pattye

Hi Dr. Tom,

You might try a pm or email to Douglas at CortezPearls here on the forum, he might be able to help you---

Hi,

I thought the Cortez Pearls are cultured. My mission is for natural pearls from Mexico. I know they are still getting a few in La Paz, where they were once PLENTIFUL.

Thanks to all,
Tom

[pattye]

Dr. Tom,

Yes, Sea of Cortez are cultured, but thought Douglas might occasionally run across a natural, or be able to point you in the right direction--sorry, I should have been more clear----------La Paz is not that far from Guaymas.

[Caitlin]

Question is where do they sell the naturals?
I thought Douglas could give you an education in the pteria sterna and help you find contacts.....

[CortezPearls]

Hello everyone...sorry for my lack of participation on the forum. As always, we are working hard down here...right now we have a tropical storm causing a bit of damage due to tidal action. Can't remember a year with so much rain...

About the subject: We do occasionally run into some natural pearls grown in our cultured rainbow-lips...but this year we found none. Also, many fishermen come here with their natural pearls (from Pinctada mazatlanica, Pteria sterna and Pen Shells on very few occassions) for sale.
All these pearls then go to the hands of our good friends Tish & Wes Rankin...I can assure you they have some TOP GRADE Mexican Natural pearls in their stock. They would be my source...if I needed Natural Sea of Cortez Pearls.

Anyone interested can drop me a Private Message with their info (e-mail, phone, etc.) and I can then redirect this message to Tish & Wes... we don't have any naturals (except for a few that are mine! mine! mine! my preciousssss.... ).

[pattye]

Douglas,

We think of you and the whole team often and hope the storm will do minimal damage. Appreciate you dropping in when you can--knew you would be helpful with this subject. Love the photos Carolyn has posted of the new harvest!!

[Caitlin]

Hi Douglas.

Thanks for taking the time to answer!
Good tip for Tom. I don't think he went by the Rankin's booth last gem show.