Wisconsin-USA pearl rush of 19th century

[pearl-man]

http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/highlights/archives/2012/03/12_spring_issue.asp

At this site is a summary of an article I contributed to describing the pearl rush
of 1890's. At this time pearls were 4x more expensive than diamonds and owned by
many in royality. In Kuntz's book he describes the pearls of Wisconsin as the finest in the world. The article is a summary. Those interested if they send me their address I'll mail them a magazine. As a side light if there is any Bunde Upmeyer information out
there I would appreciate it.

pearl-man

 

[pattye]

The complete magazine article has fabulous pearl photos, including Norm's pearls ( aka pearl-man) and lots of fascinating details. I highly recommend taking Norm up on his offer of your own copy of the magazine if you are at all interested. Thank you again, Norm, I have reread and enjoyed the photos several times!

 

[Mikeyy]

There were actually many Pearl Rushes. We had a talk on this last year. Interesting topic though. Thanks Pearl-Man

 

[pearl-man]

HI all visited hobby clammer and helped author smf we were quite amazed at the numbe of pearls he harvested in just 8 trips
to the River in during 2 week vacation spanning 4 years. The most interesting was matching 4mm +/- brownish ROUND from the same
clam. I am at a customers doing this while he is chatting.

 

[Amanda]

Thanks, very interesting!

two of my parents' ponds have freshwater mussels in them. I wonder if there are any pearls there? I'll have to stick to wondering, as I don't suppose my Dad's be very chuffed if I started dredging.....

 

[pattye]

Amanda,

Maybe you could talk Dad out of a couple large ones just to check~ ;-) How can you resist?

 

[Mikeyy]

It is illegal to harvest mussels in Wisconsin for pearl hunting or commercial clamming. Most states are closed to the harvest of mussels for pearls. As a fisherman you are allowed a small number of mussels for bait with a fishing license. I think Minnesota allows 24 mussels, and still you want to make sure these are not endangered types like Higgins Eye. After that you need a commercial license. I have dived in Lake Pepin Wisconsin and most of the Midwest from Canada to Mexico. If I were only allowed to take a small number of mussel shells I would be selective and look for shells that look a little misformed or a little different from average in shape. There is a higher percentage of pearls in these mussels. First thing I would do though is check on your states regulations. They can be real touchy about this sort of thing. In fact if you take a mussel you have harvested without the proper permits across state lines you are in violation of the Lacey Act. That is a felony. Fish and Wildlife can confiscate your car, boat and trailer. Pretty much everything you used to commit this crime. So make the call. It's so much easier.

 

[Amanda]

I'm in the UK, Mikeyy - my parents' house is in Kent, so the Fish and Wildlife people can't help themselves to anything (-:

I'd also be more worried about my Dad's reaction than the law's!

 

[Mikeyy]

I'm in the UK, Mikeyy - my parents' house is in Kent, so the Fish and Wildlife people can't help themselves to anything (-:

I'd also be more worried about my Dad's reaction than the law's!

Hi Amanda,
I was commenting on Pearl Man's post. But don't think you are off the hook. The ghosts of the mussels you kill will come to you in the night looking for their pearls. If they don't find them do you know what they do?? Well, I had better not say. But it ain't pretty.

 

[Caitlin]

I am sure that Norm in cognizant of the local laws. Other people reading this and thinking they can go do that, are the ones to take that precaution. Don't say Mikeyy didn't warn you.

Norm has been into those natural freshwater pearls for decades. Strack interviewed him for her new edition.

 

[GemGeek]

I can't get to the article.