New Freshwater Pearl Coatings

[jshepherd]

This is just out in G&G Briefs, written by GIA's Akira Hyatt.

https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:Campai...edBeadCultured

Unusual Coated Bead-Cultured Freshwater Pearls

In September 2011, a strand of unusually large white baroque “pearls” was submitted to the New York laboratory for identification. The 17 pieces measured 22.43 x 17.60 x 14.17 mm to 29.46 x 19.64 x 16.50 mm. They had a noticeably unnatural color and surface appearance, but their baroque shape was typical of some freshwater cultured pearls seen in the marketplace ...

[Kevin Canning]

They really went for it with that coating, look how thick it is.

The coating contained significant amounts of bismuth, which is often used to create a pearlescent appearance.

Makes sense why they would use it as a coating when you see what Bismuth looks like:

[Pearl Dreams]

Dismaying. I wonder who is selling these?

Edit: "Dismaying" if the buyer is left unaware of the coating, that is. If the buyer is informed, then it is just one more interesting way to market pearls.

[Caitlin]

OOh. I think that bismuth is pretty! Those oil slick colors...

I'll keep an eye out for them at the tent shows this year. I doubt the main pearl sellers would go for this.

[pearlescence]

When I see Bismouth in all that angular colourfulness I realise I've seen it used as a type of gem..isn't it also an indigestion remedy or am I thinking of something else?
Something else to watch out for (the pearls I mean)

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

isn't it also an indigestion remedy or am I thinking of something else?

It's used in antidiarrehal preparations. It puts the pink in PeptoBismol. It's also utilized as a lead substitute in both electronic and construction solder.

[Kevin Canning]

.isn't it also an indigestion remedy or am I thinking of something else

Its the "bismol" part of pepto-bismol but It must be a different form of it not pure bismuth since its a heavy metal.

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Its the "bismol" part of pepto-bismol but It must be a different form of it not pure bismuth since its a heavy metal.

Yes. The salt derivatives such as bismuth subsalicylate are used in medicines while bismuth oxychloride is used in cosmetics. It has a low melting point thus crystals can be obtained easily without elaborate or costly means.

[pattye]

Hmm, wonder if that is the same as "mystic" coating being applied to so many inexpensive gemstones now, to give them some rainbow bling. Have seen often on druzy beads, many quartz, even sapphire.

[pearlescence]

If it looks as pretty in my tum as in that picture no wonder my tum would feel better!