Natural V Cultured FW

[msLondon]

Ok, i'm still a bit confussed...

How would u tell the difference between a natural and cultured FWP(tissue only nuclated ).

Surely when u x-ray a tissue only nuclated cultured fw pearl u willn't see a bead, aren't they all nacre like a natural pearl?

Aren't they usuall off-round like a natural pearl?

What are the physical differences between the two... natural and CFWP

Many thanks

 

[pattye]

Hi msLondon,

Well, in a naturally formed pearl, there is usually some remainder tissue of the worm that burrowed and caused it to form. At least in my large keishi I got from Dr. Tom last year, when I hold them up to strong light, I can see a dark spot.

I think the mantle tissue in a nucleated pearl pretty much disappears or is absorbed. There is no definitive way for us to tell which is which without proper equipment.

Yes, there is greater likelihood that the natural pearl would be off round.

The technicians are learning how to form the mantle tissue into a "roll" to ensure the likelihood of the pearl being "rounder".

Please correct if I have erred, but this is how I understand it----------

 

[jshepherd]

A distinction between natural pearls and cultured pearls produced according to the tissue method is usually only possible if several radiographs are taken in two or more directions, which are at a right angle to each other. A conchioline spot within a natural pearl is three-dimensional and is often accompanied by growth rings which often can only be seen on a second radiograph. Cultured pearls produced according to the tissue method often have an apparently homogenous structure on the first radiograph (on which only the center of the pearl is of a slightly darker grey), while the second radiograph may reveal an irregular inner cavity.

Strack - Testing Methods

 

[msLondon]

thanks pattye and jeremy.

I think the Strack book is worth buying, i wonder how easy it is to purchase here in the UK

 

[pattye]

Ruehle-Diebener-Verlag GmbH&Co.KG (E-39)
Industriestrasse 4
70565 Stuttgart
Germany
Phone: +49 7119766722
Fax: +49 7119766749
E-mail: a.dubois@gz-online.com

You certainly can check around, but many of us had to order from the publisher, address above, there is both English and German version. It is a very excellent book! Runs about $130?

 

[msLondon]

Oh thanks Pattye, i will send them an email now