[MistofCassiopeia]

Hey all, as a pearl aficionado, I just read that the Cook Islands produce pearls that are "dusty rose". Anyone know anything about them?

I collect single pearls in the 12mm range. Wish list? A nice pistachio, aubergine, and a seafoam to begin with. I just picked up a lovely 12mm peachy/golden freshwater (China) pearl with the loveliest luster with no imperfections! It was love at first sight! Sigh...

Cheers!

[pattye]

Cook Islands produce pearls that are "dusty rose

Where did you read that? Did they show a photo?

Carolyn Ehret of Druzydesign travels to the Cooks to purchase directly--perhaps she might know of them, I have seen rose, aubergine, etc., in overtones--but not dusty rose as body color. Perhaps she will read this and post an answer.

[smetzler]

Echoing Pattye, please provide source as this seems to be a bit of free license. I'll be in the Cook Islands for a week in early October and can also cross reference in the interim.

[pbazar]

I have been buying large quantities of Cook Island pearls over the last few years. I have seen no evidence that the Cook Islands are producing dusty rose color pearls. I could see a difference in quality between different technicians. I did not see any exotic colors.

[carehret]

Hi Mistofcassiopeia

I'm thinking that you mean a dusty rose overglow? These I have seen in Cook Island pearls. Especially in the more silver charcoal colors. Some of the true blacks have a strong aubergine overglow that is stunning.
I myself have been working with one farmer in the Cooks who is culturing in albino oysters, to get beautiful whites. I have also seen gorgeous golden champagnes from the Cooks as well. Exotic colors are available, just not in quantity. More one of a kind pieces.
Hope this helps!

Carolyn

[MistofCassiopeia]

hey all,

I read about them in Antoinette Matlin's book THE PEARL BOOK on page 93.

By the way, the silvery pearls with the rosy overtone sounds delightful!

I saw a nice dove grey pearl recently but it was not nicely mounted with an overly large cabuchon. Too bad. A silvery dove grey would be nice too.

Cya

[smetzler]

Originally Posted by carehret

I'm thinking that you mean a dusty rose overglow? These I have seen in Cook Island pearls. Especially in the more silver charcoal colors. Some of the true blacks have a strong aubergine overglow that is stunning.
I myself have been working with one farmer in the Cooks who is culturing in albino oysters, to get beautiful whites. I have also seen gorgeous golden champagnes from the Cooks as well. Exotic colors are available, just not in quantity.

Carolyn, where were you on the 'Cook Islands Pearling Developments' thread! In any case, the farmer with whom you are working is uniquely positioned as a free thinker with familiar ties to the establishment (Cook Islands Pearling Authority). Is his work related to the development of a new grading system for CI pearls, or is he thinking more in terms of individual farm branding (like Josh)?

[Pearl_dreams]

Originally Posted by carehret

Hi Mistofcassiopeia
...I myself have been working with one farmer in the Cooks who is culturing in albino oysters, to get beautiful whites....

Carolyn

Albinism in oysters! What an interesting fact!

[Caitlin]

Hi Mistofcassiopeia
I was going to say search for "Cook Island" pearls. Steve has some great posts on that topic.

[carehret]

Hi Steve,

I'm just starting to post here, sorry I was the ultimate workaholic before, did not think I had the time..
Mark just decided he would try culturing whites in the CI. I haven't heard him speak of individual farm branding yet. His father is on the Pearl Board in Rarotonga and he has been pushing for better quality control and a new grading system for years. As well as more options for exporting.
I have heard that since our visit in June of 2005, there has been a large demand for CI pearls. At that time Peter & I were told we were the first American wholesalers to come to buy Cook Pearls.
I feel very lucky to be receiving a new parcel in the next few weeks.

Carolyn

[smetzler]

Carolyn, Now let's see if you can stay away (when not traveling)!

The godfather of Cook Islands pearling, concurrent to early efforts in Tahiti, was a gentleman named Peter Cummings. He achieved a reputation for large white and silver pearls before being driven out of business by the Japanese in the early 1980s. My quest at the moment is to find, somewhere in Rarotonga, a good example (or two!) of a Cummings CI pearl from the mid-70s.

Interestingly, the late 70s and early 80s coincide with the last regular collection and commercialization of natural golden poe pipi. No wonder the lighter colors were Cummings' initial objective.

Regarding albino oysters, is the assertion a reproductive albino version of P. Margaritifera? There is also the Pinctada Albino (aka 'Arafura pearl oyster') species native to Shark Bay, Western Australia.

[pbazar]

Pearl Impresario Who is playing with me? I not exactly sure of the meaning. “Pearl Impresario Par Excellence”

[pbazar]

You are now bringing humiliation and ridicule on me!

[jshepherd]

Pearl Impresario... that is an interesting name. Okay, who changed it?!

Did you see the thread started by mikehrz on how to change your title?

Creating a custom user title

You can create any title you like.

[jshepherd]

I just noticed your title, Mike! Very nice, pearlhobbyist52865