Will I or won't I ?

[seadancer]

After reading the forum about pearl candling I decided to do some of mine, and this pearl has me wondering to the extent that I am considering whether to have it X ray tested. It is a white 13mm off round. It shows many concentric circular lines through the light (not all are showing in the photos as they are too fine to photograph) The photos are taken from the bottom of the pearl which shows the lines best...the pearl is set as a tie-tack, and the center shows the gold pin. What do the experts think..is it worth the expense of having it tested?

 

[GemGeek]

Beautiful pearl. Can we see it candled in the other direction, across the middle with the post at the side? It could be natural.

 

[seadancer]

One from the side

One from the side

Hi GemGeek..Here's one from the side for you. I am not that great at taking pics but.

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

It shows many concentric circular lines through the light (not all are showing in the photos as they are too fine to photograph)

Pearls are layered and spherical, hence it's not possible to view concentric lines by candling unless the pearl is cut in half. What were seeing here are growth fronts on the bead nucleus and a subsurface diffusion consistent with cultural processes.

 

[seadancer]

Thanks Dave, you have saved me an expense I didn't really need. The pearl was set in the early 70s and is too big for an akoya, would you hazard a guess as to type?

 

[seadancer]

lines again

lines again

This pearl is listed in a well regarded site...it has similar circles but is a natura pearl..what would cause these in this pearl?

 

[pattye]

Are we seeing very thick nacre with a bead inside? Gorgeous pearl! So interesting to see candled, thank you, Seadancer

 

[GemGeek]

Your best bet is to enjoy that fabulous pearl without worrying about it's nature. At that size, it's most likely a cultured pearl. The lines are from rotation during growth.

Thank you for taking the new candling photo - so interesting.

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

The contrasts visible in the views are signatures of conchiolin. Concentrations of this proteinacous material are a juvenile growth process, which normally present at the nucleus of a natural pearl, not slightly subsurface as commonly observed in cultured pearls. After all, a bead cultured pearl has a shell nucleus with a few mm (if that much, even) of young nacre.

The size, color, shape and surface quality are consistent with cultured south sea pearls.

To disclaim, the images are marginal at best and as such I'll not say one way or the other in the absence of rigorous examination. However, when compared to natural Basra pearls, this pearl scores two points natural, eight points cultured.

Views from all 3 axis are preferred (check the image), because it provides a better perspective as to the shape and position of inclusions.

 

[seadancer]

Thanks guys, when I get a chance I will take some more pics...I am having problems with my computer at the moment.

 

[seadancer]

Hope these help.

Hope these help.

The best I could do for the moment