[Caitlin]

HI Knotty
With that kind of flattery, I am at your disposal. I'll go back and read and see if I can find an email or address or phone number. I too, would love to have these folks post. Or at least get an interview.........

PS
If any of you gets a PM from members you never heard of advertising a person or outfit-, Please let me know right away. I really do not like it when strangers join just to abuse the PM system.

[smetzler]

Originally Posted by Valeria101

Maybe one day, there will be a thousand-year old bead nucleated pearl to set the record straight. What would it take?

About at least 3-4mm of nacre?

[Valeria101]

Originally Posted by smetzler

About at least 3-4mm of nacre?

Hm... Interesting thought. Any idea if such objects are being produced?

[GemGeek]

Originally Posted by smetzler

About at least 3-4mm of nacre?

Too funny Steve!!!

[smetzler]

Not to give undue publicity to an overexposed category, but on visiting Pearl Paradise offices a while back Jeremy did show me a drilled Tahitian with superb peacock from his private collection. We could easily see about 3mm of nacre. Jeremy represented it to me as a freak.

[knotty panda]

The gentleman who did the last update at BlueWaterVentures is Ron Pierson but he's the website guy. As near as I can make out, they are the salvage company. The financier is Mel Fisher. The pearls are at his lab. They have an 800 no. 800-434-1399.

[smetzler]

With business travel to Florida pending in early February, I thought it might be an interesting fantasy to consider a visit to Key West and Mel Fisher's laboratories. Well, it's do-able. I did identify myself as a member of Pearl-Guide.com with a special interest in natural pearls, and was authorized to post this information here.

Here's how it works: Mel Fisher's continuing recovery of treasures from the Atocha and Sta Margarita is financed by an investment plan, $80,000 per year per share, with the maximum annual number of shares being 150 (there are 35 shares still available in the current campaign). Minimum investment is 1/8 share, or $10K. Treasure is randomly allocated at the end of the investment cycle, paying 100% to investors until their investment level is reached, thereafter at 65/35 in favor of Mel Fisher, Fisher's treasure offered for sale to the public through Fisher outlets.

With 6,000 to 8,000 pearls between 150 investors, even random allocation will assure investors of at least a few pearls, and there are apparently systems in place for investors to trade their allocations. No mechanism appears to be in place for the investors to actually choose the pearls they would receive. Such a process could not occur until the pearls are offered for subsequent resale.

I have been invited to view the pearls in the Key West laboratory. Should I change my travel plans? Would anyone want to join me?

Steve

[pattye]

Steve, That is just soooooo Awesome! Wow, an interview in person! Maybe some of our forum members living in Florida or nearby could take advantage of your offer.
I have known about the Atocha for awhile, and have a small pair of earrings made from the silver previously recovered.

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[Caitlin]

Well! I didn't even have to delegate that one! I am eagerly awaiting your report.

[knotty panda]

Oh my goodness! I am SOOOOOO TEMPTED! Let me contact Sascha Ghods to see if he has any interest. How many people can you take with you? Oh my! Such a rare experience! bemypearl.com vendor

[smetzler]

Remember this is still a fantasy! Currently plan to arrive to Miami International around noon on Saturday 2/9 for my flight home. The idea would be to head directly from there to Key West, evening and Sunday free with a visit to the Fisher laboratories on Monday morning 2/11, return to Miami airport area the same afternoon/evening. Would propose to simply share the gas and car rental among all participants, hotels and meals per individual (unless a consensus is found for a mini 'Pearl-Guide' convention venue!).

Need to digest this a bit, but that's how it would happen if it does…

[knotty panda]

Strack's lecture in Tucson is the 9th. And I think just about everyone who's going will be there around those dates. Sascha is a wonderful man, world traveller, pearl lover, I think you and he would get along famously. I need to see if I can schedule it around work.

[smetzler]

Yes, I know and I am disappointed not to be able to be in Tucson that day. Next year for sure.

[boo]

Originally Posted by smetzler

Remember this is still a fantasy! Currently plan to arrive to Miami International around noon on Saturday 2/9 for my flight home. The idea would be to head directly from there to Key West, evening and Sunday free with a visit to the Fisher laboratories on Monday morning 2/11, return to Miami airport area the same afternoon/evening. Would propose to simply share the gas and car rental among all participants, hotels and meals per individual (unless a consensus is found for a mini 'Pearl-Guide' convention venue!).

Need to digest this a bit, but that's how it would happen if it does…

Aww, rats - I leave for home from Orlando on the morning of the 11th (hubby has a conference at WDW).

[knotty panda]

Oh Boo! Please, please see if you can change your schedule to fly back Tuesday out of Miami. The rest is doable! I can come up to Orlando to get you. Oh, please! Please? Uh, did I say please?