Pinctada Maculata (Pipi) Pearls

[smetzler]

For us, acquisition of La Catalina was a repeat of our good timing with Te Poe Pipi O Te Kuki Airani. It is a special pearl, and Valeria101 echoes our thoughts that a maritime theme is lurking there somewhere. But let's remove this discussion to a new thread under 'Other Pearls' called 'Haliotus (Abalone) General'.

Looking forward to valuable input!

Re design for new poe pipi necklace: Some wriggle room remains (look forward to sketch!) but the aim is a classic, timeless look that will be highly dependent upon execution, as suggested previously in this thread. Use of diamonds will be minimal for accent. From our standpoint, we really want to feature the pearls, and we are confident this is the jeweler's intent as well.

Steve

[smetzler]

Monopolizing my own thread—but I guess that's the host's privilege, right? In any case, received the attached photo from the Cooks at the office today, showing the pearl layout of the 6-7mm poe pipi and the 13mm South Seas drop discovered in Australia last week (quite a good example of 'water'—outer 1mm seems to float!).

Chain will be platinum to allow all golden shades for the pearls.

Not sure what else we can discuss here until the work is done, but certainly all comments are welcome!

Steve

[Caitlin]

Monopolizing my own thread—but I guess that's the host's privilege, right?

Yes indeed. It is a privilege to have such an important necklace chronicled here and I can hardly wait to see how La Catalina evolves.

Here is a picture of a scale model of a Persian Gulf pearling dhow. See if it is inspiring....

[smetzler]

Thanks for the dhow, Caitlin.

Meanwhile, this thread is approaching 1000 views and in light of continuing interest I have some additional poe pipi news and insights.

In post #1 I surmised "Certainly in the cultured world of size-is-everything, I can understand that these rare, albeit smallish pearls may suffer a certain sort of underappreciation." As an edible pearl oyster often the insignificantly small pearls were more a nuisance than value (like the seeds in an orange) in comparison with the shells themselves. Here's a bit of literature I discovered just today (can't believe I have previously missed it—must not have been on line).

"PIPI PEARLS"

Pipis don't grow pearls
I know that
Ocean wading
My feet feel for them instead
Digging this way and that
Evicting seaward indigenous inhabitants
Colonising my flax pipi basket
Soon to be
Fritters to fatten my urban prince

Poem by Simon Inez Harriman of New Zealand
Published October 2005 on PoemHunter.com

…making the special conditions that traditionally existed on the remote island of Penryhn/Tongareva—source of the 1700 3.5mm pipis in Te Poe Pipi O Te Kuki Airani, the 9.6x13mm drop in post #10, and the 10 poe 6.5-8mm chosen for the new necklace—all the more remarkable!

Photo here of a cleaned, typically sized P. Maculata shell with attached (quite large!) pipi pearl we acquired as an instructional complement to the other pieces.

Steve
Seattle

[Valeria101]

Attached image is a trophy we came back with, 1700 pipis 3-3.5mm collected in the 1970s, on 12 strands and 18k handmade clasp...

COINCIDENCE, I know... but too close not to post.

The price appears quite dated, if you look at more recent results from the same source.

[smetzler]

Thanks, that is super interesting. I wonder if any of the golden-toned naturals are pipis (will forward to the Cooks). This also foments a lingering desire to see Te Poe worn with the clasp in front, adding a pearl or diamond enhancer (or adding colored stones to the clasp) for additional sparkle.

Steve

[smetzler]

Here is word from the Cook Islands regarding the beautiful necklace sold at Sotheby's posted by Valeria101 on 2/28:

"Yes, this is intriguing, they certainly look like naturals, potentially from us! We used to supply to the East in quantity as you know, perhaps these are some of them! That being the case, the strand was probably created in India and on-sold. Seem to be rather a lot of gold beads but seems that this was a good buy, especially with the argyle diamonds...very lucky bidder!"


Look forward to further discoveries/comments.

Steve
Seattle

[smetzler]

A day on Penrhyn/Tongareva in 1995 reported by a Mr. Kelvin Passfield in PEARL OYSTER INFORMATION BULLETIN, #10, 8/97 (extract from a 100-pp document attached. Drag image to screen and print to read). Since then several major hurricanes and global warming/tidal changes have greatly reduced the harvest. But it still seems amazing that as recently as 1995 such activity could be witnessed.

Tried contacting Mr. Passfield to see if he was still following the subject, but Email address given in the article was not surprisingly invalid.


Steve
Seattle

[smetzler]

An update on the progress of the new necklace (Post #37), with news just received from the jeweller:

"Have finalized design for your new necklace (and named) ... I am very pleased, will use a 'double chain' construction as I was a little frustrated at the look of a single chain, that problem has now been overcome. Lends a lot more exotic, historical perspective to the piece, it will move beautifully."

A prominent village elder, or Taunga, was consulted for an appropriate Maori name, traditional in the Cook Islands for unique pieces:

"I consulted with my cultural advisor, (this guy is truly amazing, I am part sponsoring a book he is writing on CI Culture, he possesses so much knowledge it is just incredible)...and I explained what I was thinking and he has provided a name. I want to write a brief description for you before I tell you, please indulge me."

The new necklace will be hand-delivered to Seattle in late May. We look forward to unveiling it here, and to introducing its maker (and that of Te Poe Pipi O Te Kuki Airani) to forum members. We are hopeful he would become a contributor and additional resource.

Steve
Seattle

[Valeria101]

Awesome! I am looking forward to see the finished necklace!

Sorry for the unfulfilled promise upwards on this thread 9the missing sketch, that is). A computer crash wiped out most of my files and didn't ever get to make up for the loss...

[smetzler]

Per Caitlin's post #38, this is to chronicle the new necklace's progress, pending its completion for final revelation. It is a long post, sorry.

Actually there are two developments: The naming of the necklace according to Maori tradition, and a concept design sketch with very generalized construction and composition details (below).

Poe Io Mata Nui. (PO-ay EE-oh MAH-tah NU-ee—Poe Io in the familiar.) Its creator will be announced upon photographic shoot and delivery in late May. His words:

"Kia Orana Steve,

The name of your new necklace.

As with all things Polynesian, this title does not have a direct translation, its meanings exist on many levels and I am going to do my best to define them.

The basic philosophy behind the necklace was to represent twin dimensions, the spiritual and physical, in keeping with my cultural environment.

Hence the two types of pearls and the twin chain construction.

Poe, as you know are pearls, that's the easy part.

Mata: directly translated is 'eye' but used in this way is more representative of a multiple perspective given that it precedes the word 'Nui'

Mata Nui = many eyes, many levels.

Io: is the central theme of the necklace, a very old word, very traditional. Meanings include strength, centre greatness, essence, heart, creation, universe.

One potential translation: (Pearls) ....seen through the eyes of the creator.

The twin dimension aspect of this piece is inspired by my experiences in the Cook Islands. Not being born here, I have been given a unique life experience and gained a rather privileged view of life as I can also draw on my experience as a European.

Hence why I used the Australian Pearl.

The diamonds are really a tribute to a defining attribute of Polynesian culture, celestial navigation. This is really what sets the Polynesians apart and sadly much of this knowledge has now been lost.

Io: has always been a term very close to me because of my immersion in Cook Islands culture. It is a word/term that is most aptly represented by Platinum.

In all this has been a very interesting piece to create, reflective of many experiences.

Manuia"


Steve
Seattle

[smetzler]

This is a copy post, for pertinence of content, from the 'Gold vs Champagne Golden South Seas' thread.

There's really not much information on the pipi pearls. Maybe it's because of the size that they do not get as much interest compared to conch and melo melos.

However, I think the pipi pearls are unique because of their color and can definitely make a good jewellery piece.

This would be best linked to 'Pinctada Maculata.' I will double post this to make sure we're reaching interested forum readers.

The 'Pinctada Maculata' thread on Pearl-Guide.com, as a compilation of sources and anecdotes, is likely the most information on the subject in one place! The thread is now popping up near the top of nearly every Google search on the subject.

Perla's observation of poe pipi jewellery application is right. They are like little diamonds—'points of light'—and a few well-placed pearls go a long way.

Vis a vis melo melo and conch, of course pipi are real nacreous pearls, but their very unavailabilty has not allowed the growth of a collector's market per se. The concept of 'critical mass' comes into play, as poe pipi do not offer commercial attractiveness for authors or merchants to devote time and resources. Besides, they may well disappear in a few years—making chapters on the subject obsolete!

As we explore continuing availability of poe pipi the dwindling supply is apparent. Local merchants are increasingly reluctant to part with the few fine pearls obtained without elaborating them into formal pieces. Here is a guideline of prices for A grade (highest) high-luster, deep golden poe pipi as loose pearls at retail in Rarotonga quoted in recent weeks. This is US dollars, and US retail equivalent would be calculated in multiples:

3.5mm baroque: $100
3.5mm round: $250
4.0mm drop: $350
5.0mm round: $600
6.2mm round: $1000

6.00mm round poe pipi is rarified atmosphere. The necklace Poe Io Mata Nui will contain 10 poe pipi over 7mm!

Steve
Seattle

[pattye]

Hi Steve,

Thanks so much for keeping us updated! I went back and reread the whole thread and studied the photos again--I am awed by the beauty of the pearls, but also the spirituality surrounding the whole process.
Appreciate you sharing all of that with us--

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[smetzler]

POE IO MATA NUI !!!!!

(First public viewing, Pearl-Guide.com, date of this post!)

Ben Bergman of Bergman & Sons in Avarua (aka 'The Creator' of Te Poe O te Kuki Airani), has sent this photo from his workbench in Rarotonga this afternoon. The Bergman family was instrumental in the founding of the Cook Islands cultured pearl industry, and was based in the Northern Cooks in the 1970s when export of natural pearls was still a viable business. Bergman & Sons' 30th anniversary in 2006 instigated the design and production of Te Poe —the initial subject of this thread.

Three rejections of a master for the platinum chain delayed its production, and just yesterday Ben's associate Luke flew to Auckland overnight to collect it so that the final assembly could take place in time for hand delivery on Sunday. This photo is the very first trial assembly, tomorrow all will be permanently fixed in place.

Pearls: 10 x 7-8mm natural pipi pearls, with a centerpiece 13mm South Seas white drop. Platinum with diamonds, carat weights pending (double chain not initially conceived—platinum weight came in a bit over budget!).

Since Ben's photograher is in Auckland and as Ben will come directly to Seattle with Poe Io on Sunday, a proper studio photo must wait. But Jeremy has kindly offered to put Pearl Paradise's art department at our disposal for a shoot when we visit LA in late June.

Everyone involved with the necklace is very pleased with the results, as are we! This began as a (seemingly) straightforward desire for a necklace featuring a few larger poe pipi to complement the smaller pearls in Te Poe.

Ben will officially present Poe Io Mata Nui at a small private gathering of pearl lovers at the Rainier Club in downtown Seattle this Wednesday.

Steve
Seattle

[pattye]

Just Stunning!!! What a thrilling event!!! So fascinating to follow your story, it adds so much to this amazing necklace! I love that the drop will have movement. A True Masterpiece!!! Congratulations to you, Steve, and to your Beautiful Wife!!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time