Natural Oyster,Conch, Abalone and Scallop pearls

[GemGeek]

How do you find these things? In becoming an appraiser, I will have to become a jewelry historian. Do you have a list of jewelry/auction websites? I need to learn from the master...

The coral tinge to the ring is a slice of heaven!

Keep up the great postings!
Blaire

[Valeria101]

Glad to share these bits with someone

There is a list of major auction houses on GIA's site (under 'resources' at www.gia.org). A good point to start. I don't keep a list... just what I happen to remember from one search to the next (unfortunately). Meant to correct this for ages now...

Records of past auctions are a staple for price reference (taken with allot of salt - an art to interpret, judging from what Pro's make of them ) - more online at www.ragoarts.com and others...

For UK antique dealers and auctioneers see BADA (www.bada.org).

You will certainly need something more systematic then this! 'Never had any reason to make an exhaustive list of such references. There aren't that many at the top though.

This is a question better answered on the gemology forum I would think (www.Gemologyoline.com) - if you have not tried already. Appraisers haunt that place too

[jshepherd]

The Lyon and Turnbull piece certainly does not look like any conch pearl I have seen before. There is a color range in conch that includes yellows and oranges, but I have not seen a fancy brown like that.

Boghossian in Geneva did create a triple strand of varied-hue conch pearls and briolette cut diamonds. The pearls were every shade from white to deep pink, but none went as far as the one in the photo.

It very well may be a conch pearl, however. Jeremy Norris would probably be able to say definitively.

[knotty panda]

So what does a conch pearl look like after it loses it's color? Is it white?

[jshepherd]

Usually white, yes.

[GemGeek]

Thanks Valeria for the links! I know someone who keeps a spreadsheet open on her computer and as she visits sites, she lists them by category on her spreadsheet. But no sharing, unfortunately

Jeremy! Can there be that many Conch pearls in one place? Are they more common than I thought? Where did you get that awesome photo?

[jshepherd]

It is from Sue Hendrickson's collection. The picture is in Hubert Bari's book, The Pink Pearl.

[GemGeek]

It is from Sue Hendrickson's collection. The picture is in Hubert Bari's book, The Pink Pearl.

The variation among the individual pearls is astounding. I could spend a long time just perusing the photo. Thanks

[Ingykiz]

Knotty,
I love the conch ring you posted. I would pick that ring over any large diamond set like that! What depth of color.

[Valeria101]

Do they really fade from exposure to light ?

Or is this just a jeweler-that-does-not-sell-conch-pearls 's myth ?

[knotty panda]

I could have sworn I read a post by Caitlin where she confirmed they do indeed fade. What a pity but not a deterent by any means. Found this gazing at my favorite metal, mokume gane. It's by Steve Midgett. Love it! Would love it more without those silly diamonds.

[pernula]

I normally am not a fan of jewelry with diamonds in it but that conch pearl necklace is just gorgeous!

Those pink and white conch pearls look like special valentine's M&M

Thanks for sharing,
Pernula

[CLICLASP]

Boghossian in Geneva did create a triple strand of varied-hue conch pearls and briolette cut diamonds. The pearls were every shade from white to deep pink,

Hello,

I am wondering about mixing rondelle or biolette cut diamond with pearl, conch or not,
I have been reported the hardness of diamond, would - at final- "cut" the pearl and damage the pearls, if diamonds and pearls are too close on the strand.
I have seen a conch pearls strand mixed with black diamonds, what a beauty !!

what is your opinion ?

[Valeria101]

That should take allot of wear! For a jewel like that... not likely.

The roundel beads have flat facets on the sides, nothing sharp. Other types do not, and still found them used with pearls - even the scratchiest rough beads. Folks just do not seem to care whether jewelry has been designed to last. Strange that, but understandable.