[raj]

Maybe you should contact NaturalPearls to see if this pearl in anywhere in the range of possibility of an abalone pearl?

[Caitlin]

Two mysteries in one pearl! Thanks so much for documenting it here. I hope it is resolved. I am eager to know more.

[pattye]

Yes, a true mystery pearl! Doesn't look to me like either a Kasumi or Cortez. But very beautiful, for sure!

[purlgurl]

How difficult/expensive is it to xray the pearl to see if there is a gas bubble? Do I recall seeing somewhere here, that a dentist's xray is sufficient for this?

[Bernadette]

To X-ray pearls it is quite expensive, just like going to the dentist

I reckon this will have a good resolution when a Pearl specialist sees it in the flesh.

[Marama]

Hello,
So I will say that this could be a Tahitian Pearl. Off course, not the one we are used to see in the pearl business, but as I worked with a lot of tahitian pearls, I have seen some pearls quite similar to this one.
It is probably the bid (nucleus) that you could see through the brown layer of nacre; It should be the best part to drill, so you can hide this "ugly" brown color under a nice cup. But, I will not be surprise that a liquid with a very bad smell will go out from this hole (drilling).

The other face is quite interesting for the color; actually the same pearls that I have seen, were quite similar. the colors looked like confuse. I will tried to find some pearls quite similar and to take some pictures.

Hope it s help?

regards,
marama

[waimeamomi]

Marama, that would be great, as the donors insist it is a Tahitian. I have drilled stinky pearls a couple of times - I'll be ready. I also hear that sometimes pearls with the stinky inner part create a blue color which later fades (the color). Any experience with that?

[waimeamomi]

Well, here are the latest results. I very carefully drilled the pearl, going from the end that looked to be the bead end. I drilled carefully, but the pressure of the cups holding the pearl caused the surface to completely crack. One small piece fell out (OK with a little prodding from me) and here are pictures. The end without the bead was completely hollow, and a little stinking, but no liquid. More and more I am wondering if this is some kind of Akoya baroque, albeit a large one. Are they trying to grow larger Akoya's anywhere? Here are the pics. Your opinions welcome, although the mystery is somewhat moot now.

[pearldreamer]

I really have no opinion... I guess you felt it was worth trying to find out what kind of pearl it is enough to have such a sad end result. Sorry that the result couldn't be better for you.

[pattye]

Sheryl,

Wow, another learning experience! Doubt there was anything you could have done to prevent the breaking. The pearl certainly falls in Tahitian size range. Just an anomaly, I guess. Thanks for the awesome photos!

[waimeamomi]

I'd rather have it break during drilling. I think a good bounce on any hard surface would have done the same thing, and then someone would have paid for it! The school wanted me to drill it and knew that I felt it was risky, so they're cool about it. Still wondering what it is. Could that have passed the Tahitian government xray?

[pattye]

Can you tell how thick the nacre is?

[pearlescence]

did it actually have a bead nuke or just space?
maybe one to be hand held not drilled with a fixed drill....

[waimeamomi]

I think the hole is through the bead nuke - it looks like there is no nacre there.
Honestly, I think this pearl would have cracked if it was dropped. it was like it was just a shell at the top.