The Native Nations had no real interest in establishing a commercial venture in pearl fishing and we understand little to nothing of the way they fished for pearls, since most of the information was either lost or destroyed during the conquest of Mexico. The rich plunder of the Conquistadores was sent to Spain and later dispersed all over Europe. The most significant information we have on the subject comes from the period of colonization of northwestern...
-
A review: The History of Pearls in the Gulf of California, Mexico PART 2
The arrival of the Iberian Conquerors
The Native Nations had no real interest in establishing a commercial venture in pearl fishing and we understand little to nothing of the way they fished for pearls, since most of the information was either lost or destroyed during the conquest of Mexico. The rich plunder of the Conquistadores was sent to Spain and later dispersed all over Europe. The most significant information we have on the subject comes from the period of colonization of northwestern... -
A review: The History of Pearls in the Gulf of California, Mexico - PART 1
A review: The History of Pearls in the Gulf of California, Mexico
By Douglas McLaurin-Moreno
Since unrecorded time, man has obtained many bounties from the world’s oceans: food, shells, corals, sponges, seaweeds, and the most desirable of all of these were the beautiful mother-pf-pearl shells and their valuable treasure, Pearls.
Mexico has four species of pearl oysters inhabiting its coasts, two -the larger sized- on the Pacific side: the Panamic Black Lip... -
Debunking a Widely Held Japanese Myth
By C. Denis George Abstract by Anna Kerrig
Historical Aspects on the Early Discovery of the Pearl Cultivating Technique Japanese scientists, Nishikawa and Mise are typically recognized for discovering the technology that led to cultivating spherical pearls. C. Denis George was an Australian enthusiast who challenged the credit given to the Japanese for this discovery. George argues that Nishikawa and Mise's step-father were first exposed to successful pearl cultivation at Thursday... -
Natural Pearls
Natural Pearls Defined
Natural pearls are calcium carbonate secretions which form within mollusks without human intervention.
Natural Pearls - Accidents of Nature Natural pearls are formed randomly and really are simple accidents of nature. When a certain type of irritant, such as a parasite, becomes lodged in the tissue of a mollusk, the animal responds by secreting a calcium carbonate substance called nacre to coat the intruder and protect the mollusk... -
Saltwater Pearls
Saltwater Pearls Defined
A saltwater pearl is a calcium concretion (can be nacreous or non-nacreous) produced by a saltwater mollusk that lives in a saline/marine environment. These pearls can be either natural (no human intervention in its production and a product of a fishing operation) or cultured (produced with human intervention by means of pearl farming).
Natural Saltwater Pearls Traditionally, most pearls were fished from saltwater-dwelling mollusks in the Pers... -
Pearl Quality
Measuring Pearl Quality
Pearl quality and thus, the value of a pearl is measured according to a combination of several varied factors are: the type of pearl, the thickness of its nacre, its luster, the cleanliness and texture of its surface, its shape, its color, and its size. Because the pearl is a naturally occurring organic gemstone, created by living creatures, these factors can and do vary widely. Although all of them affect the ultimate value of a given pearl, some of the facto...Last edited by CortezPearls; 03-24-2021, 12:20 AM. -
Mother-of-Pearl (MOP)
Mother-of-Pearl Defined
Mother-of-Pearl (MOP for short) or Nacre (as it is also known) is the iridescent coating on the inside of some mollusk species which is composed of aragonite and calcite, both being calcium carbonate polymorphs. MOP also contains water and binding proteins secreted by the mollusks, the most important being conchiolin. Mother-of-pearl is also the primary material used in pearl nucleus manufacturing. MOP beads are still the most common nucleus (core) used to pro...Last edited by CortezPearls; 03-24-2021, 11:20 PM. -
South Sea and Tahitian Pearl Grading
Grading South Sea and Tahitian Pearls
While there is no internationally recognized number or letter system for pearl grading, there are best-grading practices that are accepted and recognized by all professional pearl dealers within the industry. Understanding grading attributes and quality characteristics of South Sea and Tahitian pearls is imperative to properly shop and compare.
Pearl Grades Are Combinations Of Many Different Value Factors As pearls have many differ...Last edited by CortezPearls; 03-15-2021, 03:08 PM. -
Pearl Weight
Cultured and Natural Pearl Weight Descriptions
Pearl weight is expressed in carats or grains when describing natural pearls, or kilograms, kan or momme when describing cultured pearls.
When Is Pearl Weight Used Instead of Size?
Most of the time, pearls are described primarily in terms of their size (diameter) and expressed in millimeters, such as this pair of akoya pearl earrings. Weight is typically only described within the wholesale trade or when dealing... -
Pearl Treatments
Pearl Treatments Defined
Pearl treatments are defined as any action other than polishing which alters a pearl's appearance which may include:- irradiation
- bleaching
- heating
- filling
- waxing
- drilling
- cutting
- faceting and
- working
Pearl Treatments just after Harvesting After harvest, most pearls are always processed in one way or another. This processing may be subtle or less so. South Seas, Tahitians and Cortez pearls are usually just washed and will undergo minor ...Last edited by CortezPearls; 03-26-2021, 12:31 AM.
There are no articles in this category.
Please log in to your account to view your subscribed posts.
