Take a peek inside a Tahitian keshi pearl!

[jshepherd]

We have a project underway that involves slicing pearls (those at the ruckus will see the unveiling of the reason why ) and I thought this Tahitian keshi was particularly interesting. You can still see the small pocket of organic matter in the center. I think I've only seen this in an X-ray before.

Enjoy!

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

We have a project underway that involves slicing pearls (those at the ruckus will see the unveiling of the reason why ) and I thought this Tahitian keshi was particularly interesting. You can still see the small pocket of organic matter in the center. I think I've only seen this in an X-ray before.

Enjoy!

The profile displays much more than x-radiography and alludes to identifiable features when reading candled views. Next to the graft tissue, the periostracial layers (dark colored ring), prismatic layers (light color) and then the nacreous layers. The dark line extending from the nucleus indicates the distal/proximal orientation with the pearl sac.

I hope that wasn't a spoiler to your announcement

 

[juliebeth]

too. cool. thanks for the pic! dave, what does the dark line have to do with orientation of the pearl during formation? is it a build-up of, um, something there at one end? is the orientation of that line always pointing in the same (relative to the mollusc) direction then, i suppose?

 

[GemGeek]

Beautiful!

 

[KAC]

oh wow this is very cool! Now I'm really curious about this project you're working on?

 

[GemGeek]

One thing I do know -- when a bead implant is expelled from the pearl sac, it leaves a line like that and it is usually visible in x-radiographaphy. Akira Hyatt showed me several examples. She said that there is usually a point on the void and then a line along the route of exit. This was in a special preview class at GIA Carlsbad a few years ago. Dave gives a perfect description of the layers, which are beautiful.

Of course, the line could be there for other reasons - just something to consider.

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

dave, what does the dark line have to do with orientation of the pearl during formation?

Think of sand dunes, snow drifts or icicles, there will always be shadows down wind/stream and somewhat elongated. Likewise, the tails of fireballs or teardrops are always distal (away from) to the heart.

 

[GemGeek]

Cool and somewhat romantic.

 

[Katbran]

Really interesting ! Thanks so much for posting the pic .. and Dave thanks for the explanation!

 

[Marianne]

Fascinating stuff!

 

[LitGeek]

Very cool

 

[Amrita]

Really cool! Thanks for the photo, Jeremy and for the erudite explanations, Dave.
What struck me is the difference in luster of the external nacre with the internal?.wonder why that is so?

 

[pattye]

Very cool to peek inside!

 

[Red]

Really cool! Thanks for the photo, Jeremy and for the erudite explanations, Dave.
What struck me is the difference in luster of the external nacre with the internal….wonder why that is so?

Very cool to see inside of the pearl. I'm interested in Jeremy's answer about the nacre. I was thinking that the only difference was the marks from the saw on the inside part, but now you have me wondering.

 

[pearlescence]

I suspect that no lustre in a slice is because of the orientation of the plates

 

[jshepherd]

Very cool to see inside of the pearl. I'm interested in Jeremy's answer about the nacre. I was thinking that the only difference was the marks from the saw on the inside part, but now you have me wondering.

You're spot on. If you take a diamond-tipped bandsaw to a pearl, it sort of has the opposite effect of polishing The middle part wasn't even wiped clean. You can see the nacre powder in the saw lines. There are other plans for this pearl though. Something very different

 

[Pearling Technologies]

The inside of pearls never ceases to amaze me. Helps you appreciate what goes on inside the oyster when it's beneath the water.

 

[GemGeek]

The only way to find out is to polish one side!

 

[jshepherd]

The only way to find out is to polish one side!

Nope. We have other plans for it

 

[BAS]

Now you are just teasing us.