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Good discussion. Just to add here that natural pearls are a ubiquitous biological occurrence. However, natural pearls of significant gemological value are not.

In reference to the crisis starting circa Y2K when the labs suddenly began being inundated with pearls for natural certification. Micro CT scanning protocols were developed by 2010 to detect tissue nucleation in un-drilled saltwater pearls, staunching the fraud. But the keshis are nice!

And conversely, how Chinese tissue nucleation techniques improved the quality and consistency of SW keshi.

I met Renée in Tucson in 2011 shortly after her 2010 update to the Buying Guide, which included a contribution or two of ours. She updated it again in 2017. Eight more years of research should be worth waiting for! I wonder how up to date it will be on the nacreous/non-nacreous conversation. In...

I have a Melo Broderipii shell, very light as well. This genus appears to have one shell layer, lacking a rough protective exterior (periostracum). Edit to add an image of my Melo Broderipii shell. Thin, translucent shell layer. Assumption being that gastropods living in benthic (seafloor)...

An old acquaintance in Java showed me this pearl from the Melo Amphora, locally known as "Binga". Pearl is 18.8mm perfect round, 51.4 carats. As there is no prior reference at Pearl-Guide to this species, or pearls from this species, I thought a post was in order. Among volutidae, there are...

The shape and consistency of color are high merits, just a bit lacking in luster, darker shade or other optical 'pop' for top quality. But in a minimal ring setting with complementary stone elements it could be phenomenal.

Sarah at Kojima is going to want 360ª shots to see all sides, if you could also share them here we will be happy to chime in. Value is also determined by what one is willing to pay, and whether buyer is wholesale, retail or direct. Agree with Lagoon Island Pearls that whatever appraised value...

Just keep it together with the pearl, no harm rinsing it. Pearl appears to merit a high-end setting, which will allow for a generous offer.

Did you also keep the shell?

At a minimum the pearl does not appear to be cooked. To your thread title, the large size and relative symmetry may serve to attract a collector, say in the $50/$100 per carat range (if not then you're better off keeping it as a memento). The pearl does not offer the depth of color, even surface...

Delicate, elegant, flashy and versatile. It has just about everything. And those keshi are first class!

Thanks for the photo. It is a conch that merits respect due to its flame, depth of color, shape and luster (assuming all surfaces are consistent). I do believe Coin of the Realm will treat you fairly if only because they must maintain a credible policy in front of local sources or lose the...

Next time you're in Nassau just take it to Coin of the Realm.

Keith, Nice of you to share your treasures here. You'll no doubt get informative responses regarding your mother's Mikimoto strands. I've jumped in here just to comment that from a liquidity standpoint the "gold and sparkling" would be more marketable. Pearls normally comprise the more...

A preference for pearls vs. red fingernails will definitely parse the field. Fertile ground for researchers seeking correlations!

It is well demonstrated by now that there is no such thing as a theory on social media. Only "alternative truths." I have a theory: Social Media is effectively preparing us for living in the quantum universe where everything is true, everywhere, all at once.

GIA was kind enough to forward query to the authors of the paper linked in the OP above. Their comments on the (1) Red UV flouresence and the (2) nacreous surface appearance of Windowpane Pearls were solicited. To summarize: 1) That porphyrin is assumed to be the source of the red UV...

Beautiful! Lots of flame in a variety of permutations. Plenty of color. Diamonds and platinum allow the pearls to individually express. A treasure!

Impressive notetaking! Thoroughly enjoyed!