A new type of freshwater pearl on the horizon

[BWeaves]

What are the implications of a wax bead nucleus? Is it designed to be melted out and leave a hollow center like the soufflé's?

[jshepherd]

I really don't know. I asked a similar question. The response was that it was just another experiment.

These are wax nucleated pearls. The sliced ones at the bottom show how small the wax bead is. The pearls are all in the 5 mm range.

[JerseyPearl]

Wow interesting! Some of those small ones appear to be very dark in color.

[Katbran]

Hmmm ... Wax... They would be much easier to drill - save on the drill bits lol Interesting colours in those little wax ones. More what we associate with the nicer Edisons.

[JerseyPearl]

Hmmm ... Wax... They would be much easier to drill - save on the drill bits lol Interesting colours in those little wax ones. More what we associate with the nicer Edisons.

I was thinking that very same thing! I use carbon drill bits on my Tahitians, and even then some are really tough little buggers. I did recently use my dremel to enlarge a drill hole to 2.3mm for a prototype piece and I will never be brave enough to do that again. I'm just going to have to buy bigger drill bits for this project. Which brings me back around to the point, how tough are these tiny pearls to drill and what size bit would you use on a 3-4mm pearl?

[BWeaves]

Yes, I was wondering about drilling, and what it would be like to string them. The beading thread would become self lubricating as you strung the necklace.

[JerseyPearl]

Yes, I was wondering about drilling, and what it would be like to string them. The beading thread would become self lubricating as you strung the necklace.

Or kind of gunky if it gets clumped up with pearl dust.

[BWeaves]

That, too! I was being facetious. I think I need a sarcasm font.

[Red]

Yes, I was wondering about drilling, and what it would be like to string them. The beading thread would become self lubricating as you strung the necklace.

Ha, ha! "self lubricating". I thought it was funny.

[SunSeeker]

haha, made me laugh too! And also thinking it might be a bugger to knot. What is the benefit of using the wax bead nucleus? Jeremy, I'm loving the rich colors and sharp luster on these little beauties!

[pattye]

Gosh, those are pretty! Wax on thread = dirty mess, IMO, but an interesting experiment.

[Marianne]

The colors are beautiful! Lighter weight is nice. Seems like a series of hot water baths could remove most of the wax (although that would be rather labor intensive).

[Pearl Dreams]

If the wax were to melt and come out entirely, it would make the pearls hard to restring.

If it melted, then resolidified the drill hole would be gone.

[Katbran]

Self lubricating pearls ....how funny !

[BWeaves]

What is the benefit of using the wax bead nucleus?

It's cheaper than buying bead nuclei from America.