Stunning Scallop Pearl (Atlantic) collection

[pierrettedE]

Hi Steve, thanks! (though I would counter -quietly- that "king" is possibly more of a -by location and chance-due to the limited knowledge of pearls in general I have observed from the company) The pearls are bought for pennies and no real information is offered to the fishers, while the actual jewellery "designs" are little more than economical and commercial settings that can be found in most stock setting catalogues.

I truly wish I had more time and energy to put into designing, but that is not possible at this time. Moreover, most of my interest lies in the pearls and their story these days and less in the design surrounding them.

Needless to say, I will not be referring this couple to the above named (wow! I think I just stuck up for myself! )

PdE

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Pierette, Dave and others close to or beyond the US northern frontier are obviously more informed than the rest of us, and this thread has opened my eyes to new wonders.

The better pearls here are beautiful and unique. For those familiar with the Nautilus discussion, these pearls repesent a similar, albeit less mysterious phenomenon

These pearls have like structures excepting the planospiral chatoyance. Even though Nova Scotia is half a world away from nautilus, they effectively eliminate pectinidae from the list of possible incidence.

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

The pearls are bought for pennies and no real information is offered to the fishers.

Hence the age old dichotomy of the classes. Though some pearl growers have embraced "fair trade" principles for their products, fishers have alot to learn.

I've seen shuckers at work and they are fast. They need to be, because it's the only way to make a day's pay. Even when pearls are found, there is a skipper, a boat owner and a broker between them, which sadly does not make it viable for the crew.

As a result, many, many, many beautiful gems are simply cast o'er the side.

Yet another reason why I'm delighted to see someone who took the time to amass this collection.

 

[SteveM]

?the actual jewellery "designs" are little more than economical and commercial settings?

I have changed my post to more accurately reflect its intent ('a ring of his with a beautiful Scallop Pearl' vs. 'a beautiful Digby Scallop Pearl ring of his')!

 

[pierrettedE]

I have changed my post to more accurately reflect its intent ('a ring of his with a beautiful Scallop Pearl' vs. 'a beautiful Digby Scallop Pearl ring of his')!

lovely!!!

 

[pierrettedE]

I am still trying to photograph some as I really can't manage to catch the depth some have. I have Cannon G9 as well as a light box but shooting regular jewellery seems a bit easier!

 

[SteveM]

I am still trying to photograph some as I really can't manage to catch the depth some have.

Some of the techniques I've developed for Nautilus (M. Abominabilis) and Tridacna should be applicable. Basic principal: Closer the better, using strong directional lighting. The light box is not necessary, in fact diffused light is counterproductive.

 

[pierrettedE]

awesome thx!

 

[pierrettedE]

yet again, more pics

yet again, more pics

I think I'm getting the hang of it.






PdE

 

[pearlgem]

Wow, the pearls in the second and fourth foto show a really beautiful structure and play of light! thanks for the Pictures!
Regards, Sven

 

[pierrettedE]

it's the "fireball" type one that i like in those. Looks like a pebble got stuck in it!

 

[dmj]

are any of these pearls for sale ?

 

[pierrettedE]

are any of these pearls for sale ?

they are all for sale, but the owner would prefer to gather more info about them and have a real valuation. Then she'll decide if it's worth parting with them. I do agree with posts above, that the lost shouldn't really be split.

Anyone with the knowledge/information on the best way to go about this, give me a shout.

PdE

 

[CLICLASP]

It looks like these pearls have a kind of Hologram effect, do they?

 

[SteveM]

It looks like these pearls have a kind of Hologram effect, do they?

I found good microphotography of foliated calcite pearls at Elise Skalwold’s
(Gemological Curator, Cornell University) website. Lion's Paw
(Pacific Scallop/Nodipecten subnodosus) is the subject vs. the Digby
(Atlantic scallop/Placopecten magellanicus) of this thread, displaying a
wider color range. Each is a genus of the Pectinidae family.

Foliated calcite comes by its name due to overlaying leaf-like crystal
deposition, in like manner to shingles on a roof. While relatively orderly on the
inside of a shell, supposedly when constricted to forming on the 3-D surface
of a pearl the ‘rooflines’ begin to compete and intersect, resulting in
‘gables’ with rectangular, directionally-variable reflective surfaces
patched together in a mosaic pattern. The result, gemologically speaking,
can be phenomenal—maybe even holographic!

 

[GemGeek]

Great description Steve!

 

[pierrettedE]

Awesome explanation! If I can photograph a few of these to better be able to show that effect, I will. The most "fiery" (if i can use that term) ones are those that seem to be a bit clearer, rather than milky white. Since this collection has many with very glossy surfaces, some do resemble white opal (minus the colour flashes so more like commercial to common white). It's really interesting how many good button pearls there are. Those seem to be very symmetrical. There is also a group with a light taupe colour that all seem to be super shiny/glossy (?). I guess i would compare that to those freshwater pearls in multi natural colours that exhibit the nicer thick lustre ( inner glossy shiny-ness ) They don't have the nicest shapes and don't actually show the most light effects, but I like the glossy glow (i also like browns and warm tones and i believe i'm using up my adjective credits!!).

I'll post new pics when I get GOOD ones. In passing, apparently this young lady's gfather had save a pill bottle full of the largest of these lovelies that he had amassed while scalloping. They can't find them ;( as is probably the case with most such collections.

P

 

[SteveM]

The most "fiery" (if i can use that term) ones are those that seem to be a bit clearer, rather than milky white…

It's really interesting how many good button pearls there are. Those seem to be very symmetrical…

There is also a group with a light taupe colour that all seem to be super shiny/glossy (?). I guess i would compare that to those freshwater pearls in multi natural colours that exhibit the nicer thick lustre ( inner glossy shiny-ness

Seems like they share some qualities with Tridacna/Kima, greater transparency allowing a clearer view of the internal layers and associated reflections. Regarding symmetry, whether ascribed to the physical shaping of the mollusk attempting to reject the irritation ('rolling') or due to the screw dislocation forces created by crystal growth, symmetry is actually the natural state of pearls, baroques being the 'mistakes', albeit potentially very beautiful ones.

 

[KDS4444]

Images for use on Wikipedia

Images for use on Wikipedia

Hi, I am a volunteer editor of Wikipedia— I am currently working on our article on scallops, and wanted to include an image of a scallop pearl, but there don't appear to be any in our database! I am here to ask if the photographer of any of these images would be willing to relicense some for reuse via Wikimedia Commons. Only the original photographer may do this— please contact me and let me know if this is possible! I have set my registration here to allow all members to contact me directly. I will be hoping to hear from someone soon! Thank you!

 

[pierrettedE]

Hi, I am a volunteer editor of Wikipedia— I am currently working on our article on scallops, and wanted to include an image of a scallop pearl, but there don't appear to be any in our database! I am here to ask if the photographer of any of these images would be willing to relicense some for reuse via Wikimedia Commons. Only the original photographer may do this— please contact me and let me know if this is possible! I have set my registration here to allow all members to contact me directly. I will be hoping to hear from someone soon! Thank you!

If they are posted by me, I am the photographer and it's okay.
Pierrette