A mixed bag of abalone pearls.

[Tango]

Hi Adeline,

the picture in karipearls looks like a wild red abalone (h. rufescens).

[smetzler]

…yes Steve... they are indeed plano spirals

Heard my name…

Just to be sure we aren't mixing planispirals in opercula and certain shells (including Nautilus) with the helical vortices of the mysterious aragonite pearls featured and discussed on the Nautilus thread!

[Adeline Leigh]

H. rufescens, you say? It's stunning in it's polished pink glory. Wonder if the pearls are that pink

[antz]

finaly had my ebay limits increased so now have a load of pearls on there, to celebrate I will put up some no reserve auctions soon, here is a couple of listings please check out the rest also
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MESE:IT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MESE:IT

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Heard my name…

Just to be sure we aren't mixing planispirals in opercula and certain shells (including Nautilus) with the helical vortices of the mysterious aragonite pearls featured and discussed on the Nautilus thread!

Correct. I was addressing the result of test where I removed the conchiolin from operculum and revealed a plano spiral as opposed to an earlier image of what was suspected to be a hand carved spiral.

[smetzler]

It appears I was away. Link possible?

[pattye]

Hi Antz,

Nice selection. I especially like these http://www.ebay.com/itm/natural-abal...item1c2350b4d1

Does gem quality mean these little guys don't have any dark spots? I hadn't seen the coral colored pearls before.

[antz]

yes no dark spots or rough patches and a good lustre

[Caitlin]

Those are scintillating. So beautiful!!!!

[Adeline Leigh]

I need some advice on this, if you wouldn't mind.

My little batch of wild abalone pearls from Antz is screaming for a custom design and I'm thinking of setting this matched pair into a stacking set together with a tahitian pearl.

I need some advice on this and I will be happy to hear from anyone. My jeweller works out of Europe and I'll be there in a week's time so, hopefully, the lost wax casting custom can get started then.

The look I'm after is an earthy artisan look, either botanical or nature-inspired like that of my vintage diamond rings. Either that or something along the lines of Arthur King's pearl creations (see his masterpieces as attached).

Which would set of pearls would be a better idea?

(1) Abalone pearls with a huge 18mm steely-grey tahitian pearl (hammered texture)
OR
(2) Abalone pearls with the 14mm graceful silver tahitian drop with the mirror lustre

I've asked my entire extended family (including the girls who will, in time, inherit or 'borrow' them) and most are backing one of the trios in particular. But I'm still undecided and have come to the real 'pros' (and pearl obsessed) for advice.

So, please, let me hear what you have to say.

[Adeline Leigh]

Oh and I forgot but here are the Arthur King and Charles de Temple pearl creations, and, yes, those are circa, 1960 abalone and diamond earrings!

And if you like this organic aesthetic, more at:
http://www.kklostermanjewelry.com/html/home.html
http://arthurkingjewelry.tumblr.com/

[KarinK]

Hi Adeline,

What a fun project I prefer the 14 mm. pearl. I find the larger pearls takes too much of the attention.

- Karin

[Adeline Leigh]

Karin, I am so happy you said that! Everyone voted for the 18mm but I have been holding out for the smaller drop. And how does one wear an 18mm pearl on a ring? May not be for everyday living and I'm no princess. I think I made my decision; wish me luck.

[KarinK]

Sometimes less is more

- Karin

[Adeline Leigh]

Is it really that cold in Europe now with that cold snap? I was just on the web-cam and noted it was -10 degrees at 2 pm in the afternoon. Horrors...