Could this be a Pipi Pearl from Tongareva?

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

I have a preliminary verbal report on this presumed pipi pearl and it has come back as a natural.

Due diligence has paid off, congratulations! Natural pearls with this color, shape, luster and setting don't come around often.

Impressive research, magnificent pearl and terrific result.

 

[SteveM]

A beauty, South Sea can't touch it. P. Maculata is the true Mother of Oriental Pearls as the progenitor species to the Persian Gulf's P. Radiata.

At a time when I was paying close attention to the latest molluscan DNA work, this development was one of the most interesting (the two species were separated at birth by the northward migration of the Australasian plate).

 

[kiwipaul]

Whoa, so you're saying that a pearl family tree is under development? A kind of "Origin of Species" for pearl oysters that links in to Continental Drift?

That's mind-boggling, and it begs us to remember that pearls are an organic material, the product of an "animal" life-force, and of evolution. (Unlike almost every other gem material, that is "mineral" within the "Animal, Vegetable, Mineral" classification system.)

If I dig what you saying, the oysters from a tiny atoll in the Northern Cook Islands of the South Pacific, could be the progenitor of the famed Arabian Sea natural pearls?

How cool is that?!

 

[GemGeek]

They are fairly widespread. The Tuamotu Archipelago was awash with pipi shell. But in the big scheme of things, the pearls are very rare.

 

[SteveM]

Whoa, so you're saying that a pearl family tree is under development?

Needed to find the long-buried paper and review. P. Maculata was determined to be basal (earliest) in the Pinctada clade (branch) that includes all the smaller shells with toothed hinges (includes Pinctada fucata/martensii, P. imbricata, P. radiata and P. Maculata) in the 2011 study of Pinctada "Evolutionary Patterns in Pearl Oysters of the Genus Pinctada (Bivalviateriidae)" by Cunha et al.

So, Mother of Akoya as well!

 

[katbadness]

Steve,

You're a man after my own heart. I was looking for such a paper myself.

Whoa, so you're saying that a pearl family tree is under development?

Needed to find the long-buried paper and review. P. Maculata was determined to be basal (earliest) in the Pinctada clade (branch) that includes all the smaller shells with toothed hinges (includes Pinctada fucata/martensii, P. imbricata, P. radiata and P. Maculata) in the 2011 study of Pinctada "Evolutionary Patterns in Pearl Oysters of the Genus Pinctada (Bivalviateriidae)" by Cunha et al.

So, Mother of Akoya as well!

Here is a link to the paper.

 

[GemGeek]

Steve is the MAN.

 

[kiwipaul]

Hi all, so I got the ring back today by secure courier, but the Lab is putting the analysis in the post to me.
(I hadn't paid them, because they didn't know the total cost until completing the job, so now I've paid and they'll post me the x-ray and report).

However they did confirm over the phone it is a natural pearl, and on the balance of probability it is likely from Penrhyn/Tongareva
(although with no provenance, and while still in the setting, they say it's impossible to be asolutely sure of origin).
They did tell me the color is characteristic of pipi pearls, and also told me that the ring is 18k gold, not 9k as I thought.

When I get the report next week I'll see if i can scan the x-ray and report so the Forum can see it.

 

[pattye]

Excellent news! So happy for you, and appreciate your sharing with us!

 

[Caitlin]

This has been a very happy event all around! I'm so glad we got to see it!

 

[Bodecia]

I am in awe of your pearl. It is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. What a find. Actually I am rather green around the gills

Please do share all your information when you get it. Can you tell me the name, address and phone number for the firm in NZ you sent it to for certification. I am in Australia and it might be worth my while choosing them as I have some pearls I need tested.

Thank you, you lucky kiwi,

Dawn - Bodecia
http://www.ebay.com/sch/dawncee333/m.html
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 and natural pearl collector & seller. And all round pearl lover.

 

[kiwipaul]

Hi Dawn, I've seen your listings on eBay Australia, love your pearls, and you have amazing old clasps on some of them.

After getting the pipi ring back, I've sent off our (presumed) naturals (the ones in this link: https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7810).

Happy to share the report when I get it back in a few days so you can see what you'd get. The cost was quoted at about NZD$85 per string, so $170 for the double string.

Your biggest issue will be getting your treasures to NZ and back home safely. Frankly if it was me I'd wait for a cheap airfare package and bring several over and get them done in a day and fly home. I've had a very bad experience with Australian Registered Post and the fact that they don't provide tracking, and the hopeless customer service. Never again!

So the firm is: GemLink in Lower Hutt, Wellington. (Lower Hutt is a suburb about 30min out of Wellington City)
Here's their website: http://www.gemlink.co.nz/page/home.aspx
The very knowledgeable owner is Dennis Blacklaws, nice guy to talk to, and his phone number and email is on the Contact Us page of their website.

I'll be interested to know how you get on, and hopefully you get some good results.
It seems to me that your vintage pearls on eBay are very reasonably priced, maybe all they need are Lab reports to help them fly out the door.

 

[GemGeek]

The thing about both you and Dawn (Bodecia) is that it's a labor of love, finding these treasures. Parting with them must be bittersweet.

 

[kiwipaul]

Hi again Dawn, I took another look at your listings on eBay Australia.
I regularly browse the Aussi vintage jewellery and your pieces often come up in my searches.

Seems to me you might have your own pipi pearl in that golden pearl on the top of this little tie pin:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/310739390515

What do you think?

 

[Caitlin]

If it were recognized as a pipi pearl, wouldn't it be worth far more, if certified? It would make great ring. Good luck Dawn, I hope you get those certs!

 

[Bodecia]

Hello Caitlin,

Probably it would be worth far more than I have it listed for. It is also possible the other 3 natural pearls set with it are Pipi pearls. I am not sure now about selling it as is. Small but very beautiful. I didn't list them as Basra as they didn't fit but I didn't know what they were apart from naturals.

And they are so round and as you said would look beautiful in a ring. Doesn't compare to kiwipaul's pearl but it is still beautiful.

Thank you.

Dawn - Bodecia
http://www.ebay.com/sch/dawncee333/m.html
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 Natural pearl collector & seller. And all round pearl lover.

 

[kiwipaul]

Hey Dawn, I see you pulled it from eBay, good, I think it is an interesting little piece and far too good to let go for USD$225.00!

It definitely has remodeling potential, maybe a pendant or enhancer? Love to see what you end up doing with it.

 

[Bodecia]

GemGeek.

[QUOTE
The thing about both you and Dawn (Bodecia) is that it's a labor of love, finding these treasures. Parting with them must be bittersweet.[/QUOTE]

You are so right it is a labor of love. And bittersweet parting with them. I have sold so many natural pearls that I truly wanted to keep but one has to sell to be able to survive and to buy more.

What I do get is the privilege of owning them and admiring them for a time. That has to do I am afraid.

Dawn - Bodecia
http://www.ebay.com/sch/dawncee333/m.html
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 Natural pearl collector & seller. And all round pearl lover.

 

[Bodecia]

Thanks Paul,

Yes, I simply must find out if it is a Pipi for sure and the other little pearls with it are possibly pipi too but without the golden beauty. I have no idea what to do with it yet

Thank you for all the information regarding GemLink. I plan to get in touch with Denis and while looking around I also found that there is a place in Australia that might be suitable, Gem Studies Laboratory (GSL) but I will contact them and find out exactly how good they are before using them but at least it they are good I would not have to post overseas or over the ditch to NZ

Regardless I would use FedEx for shipping. Actually you do get a tracking number for Registered Post so maybe you were misled. There are other methods too and one where you can insure and track, naturally at a higher cost. I might consider that method. Tracking is essential.

Will let you all know when I decide to do with the Pipi if that is what it is but from the lustre and look it looks like it might be

I have included photos of my most beautiful pearl which I must have certified. It is obviously a natural but I don't know what kind. If anyone has an idea please let me know you thoughts on it. It could be Basra as I know they come in colours but I don't know for sure. It is around 9mm or just over. Must measure it again. I love it but will probably sell it one of these days. It has the most amazing colours throughout it.

Thanks for all your help Paul.

Dawn - Bodecia
http://www.ebay.com/sch/dawncee333/m.html
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 Natural pearl collector & seller. And all round pearl lover.

 

[kiwipaul]

Hi Dawn, interesting ring, I would be guessing maybe sometime between 1920's and 1940's? Gold and Platinum?
I think you need to stump up for a better camera with good macro, I recently bought a second hand Panasonic Lumix FZ35 for $200.
It transformed my pics, and the other secret to photographic success is a tripod, makes your pics much clearer.

How would you describe the colour of this one? In the pics it looks like a light walnut-ish iridescent bronze, with green overtones.