[Mikeyy]

Originally Posted by Pearling Technologies

Thought it was you Mike!! Hope you've been well. Will pass on my regards....thanks.

I'm doing well George. I'll probably be down your way soon. Maybe we'll have a cup and talk about the shell game.

[Pearling Technologies]

Would look forward to it!

[Caitlin]

Thanks guys!
I hope you do more of these conversations for us to read too. It is great to have two shell guys on this forum! Please keep us updated on anything your hear or know under this topic.

[Ashley]

Hi Mr. Ventouras,

I took a look at your website, and I must say it's very informative! I've been trying to get updated on all the alternative nuclei materials that are currently being used and were experimented with from time to time... needless to say, it's been slow going finding concise details.

Speaking of the larger-sized nuclei required for South Sea cultivation, would it be correct to assume that because the lower-grade 'flaky' shells from TX and adjascent areas are mainly what have been available lately, that bironite will take it's place as the preferred media? If so, would you be able to approximate a percentage of pearls currently produced using bironite vs. washboard material?

Also, I am hoping that you or Mikey knows what the current cost per pound of washboards in the 1st Quality is running? I have been following the thread carefully, as well as reading Strack, but as Caitlin mentioned earlier, she is more of a textbook, and may not be completely current. I understand that the shell started out at $2-3 USD per pound, and her latest estimates were about $13 per lb, but from what I can tell they once reached $100 per shell? I would love to hear more!

[Mikeyy]

Originally Posted by Ashley

Hi Mr. Ventouras,

I took a look at your website, and I must say it's very informative! I've been trying to get updated on all the alternative nuclei materials that are currently being used and were experimented with from time to time... needless to say, it's been slow going finding concise details.

Speaking of the larger-sized nuclei required for South Sea cultivation, would it be correct to assume that because the lower-grade 'flaky' shells from TX and adjascent areas are mainly what have been available lately, that bironite will take it's place as the preferred media? If so, would you be able to approximate a percentage of pearls currently produced using bironite vs. washboard material?

Also, I am hoping that you or Mikey knows what the current cost per pound of washboards in the 1st Quality is running? I have been following the thread carefully, as well as reading Strack, but as Caitlin mentioned earlier, she is more of a textbook, and may not be completely current. I understand that the shell started out at $2-3 USD per pound, and her latest estimates were about $13 per lb, but from what I can tell they once reached $100 per shell? I would love to hear more!

Hi Ashley,

I will leave it to George to explain the properties and process behind Bironite. I know of other products that will make fine pearl nuclei IMO. But as long as the shell is available I don't see anyone too anxious to jump ship.
As far as shell prices go. There really isn't one current price for a shell. When I first started digging shell it was $100 a ton. I have seen divers paid $25 per lbs. for washboard shell. There may of been instances of higher prices but $100 a pound sounds a little out there to me. Anything is possible I suppose. The thing is that you can't really buy a first grade shell. You buy a mix. And price depends on the grade of the shell. Pretty much like pearls. I am sure if we had a shell the size George and I are talking about. And it was guaranteed to be first grade material. We might think about paying $100 per Lbs.

[Pearling Technologies]

Bironite was developed by a company called Biron. Their original business premise was creation of emeralds. They developed an alternative nucleus as they believed the market required it, for the larger sizes initially. We assisted with the processing and polishing and have snce acquired the technology and improved it somewhat.

Bironite was introduced during a time of reliance on wild shell quota (big shells) and farmers who where willing to seed with larger sizes of nuclei....up to 6,2 and 6.3 bu nuclei.

Not many are using Bironite at present as the size requirement and quantity has come down significantly. Bironite is a natural material (not reconstituted as many had thought) which has its characteristics altered slightly to make it more compatible for pearl production.