Freshwater Vs. Saltwater

Bironite is dolomite processed by Mike Snow whose insists in above article that is is natural-just processed with a propietary method.

What is the vapor encapsulation method?

In any case Tom's 20mm pearls with smooth surfaces came from China, right? Nerida also saw some on her last trip to China and mentions them in a post over here. I can't find, so far, what they are using for nuclei that large. (There are so many threads that mention these things, I am all confused where to put these comments.)

Maybe they figured out an inexpensive processed dolomite?
 
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The Vapor Encapsulation Process

From Island Pearls: "Vapor encapsulated nuclei are coated at the molecular level using inert metals. This optical coating completely masks the stains and provides a perfect substrate for Bio-mineralization. It is so thin it can only be measured with an electron microscope (1000 Angstroms); thus, there is no change in the thermal index or specific gravity of the shell material. By using this process we can provide a high degree of luster while completely masking the stains. Stained nuclei are not conducive to the culturing techniques used by many pearl producers - the stains show through the thin nacre and produce inferior quality pearls. Using the vapor encapsulation process will allow 2nd and 3rd grade material to be used as 1st grade, providing a high-quality reflective substrate that will withstand all of the bleaching and coloring processes currently used. Vapor encapsulation also offers several other advantages to pearl producers, making it a truly revolutionary technology for pearl culturing."

I haven't heard any recent activity from them however. I remember hearing about dolomite when I was doing nucleus research, and that did sound interesting.
 
Here is more interesting info. Pearling technologies carries bironite, unless their webpages are way out of date.
Here is a tidbit:
[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Bironite[/FONT] [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif] [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Many different nucleus materials have been used in pearling, both natural and synthetic, but shell material is predominantly the material used for round pearls. With mussel shell stocks in decline, especially for the larger sizes required for South Sea Pearl production, an alternative is required to cater for this need.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif] [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Nacre will grow on nearly any solid material; indeed plastics are used for mabe production. However with round pearls where the nucleus remains, it must have a comparable coefficient of expansion to the nacre. Resins and plastic have very high coefficients leading to flaking nacre with these nuclei.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif] [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Bironite is a natural dolomite that has been modified by a process to overcome these deficiencies. This raw material is carefully hand chosen prior to entering the production phase. It is sourced from a special part of the world where it began its life as remnants of shells and other marine organisms. Over time and after being subjected to the Earth’s pressures, this unique material is transformed. It is the most stable carbonate material and sourced from a marine environment.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif] [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Bironite, after modification, exhibits the necessary characteristics for pearl production. It has a similar hardness & specific gravity and comparable coefficient of expansion. In fact, it is a more uniform and consistent material than mussel shell itself. It drills more uniformly and does not tend to split or crack during manufacturing.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif] [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Bironite nuclei are being u[/FONT][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]sed[/FONT][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif] around the world and [/FONT][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]results[/FONT][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif] show that it will be a suitable replacement for mussel shell. Although available in any diameter, the larger sizes will form the basis for initial marketing and production. Cost advantages are considerable especially in the larger size ranges.[/FONT][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif] [/FONT]
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[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Pearls Grown on Bironite[/FONT]​
Click to expand...
 
Caitlin - I still think Dr T (or others from the Dubai forum) may have some information on the use or otherwise of the T. gigas shell for nucleating the largest CFW..
The discussion regarding alternate nuclei is interesting - thanks Caitlin for the information.
 
It is an imaginary process. Its a joke. And as far as Bironite being used around the world as a replacement for shell nuclei. Also not accurate. I would be curious to know anyone anywhere who uses either one.
 
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Adding to the question: how about the largest SSP nuclei ?
 
Caitlin said:
Hi Mikey
What's your vote for what 22mm Chinese nuclei are made from?
Click to expand...
Tridacna gigas perhaps????

I have now seen "composite" nuclei from Chinese Mussels, but instead of being made out of a single piece they are made from several (at least two) pieces of shell glued together with a very good resin. The ones I saw measured some 20-22 mm in diameter.

I agree on the Bironite issue: it was a scam. I believed -and hoped- it was possible to use an alternative source for nuclei, and if it was environmentally friendly I would have used it (even for a higher cost). I also tried finding a source of Aragonite crystals for experimentation but have found none so far (Tucson 2009).
 
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the largest nuclei I supply from our U.S. shell is about 5.2 to 5.5bu. Thats about the limit for Maxima shells. There are tons of giant clam nuclei around that are any size you want. obviously not legally. We have been through the glue, epoxy's, ceramics, dolimite, you name it. Prices for large nuclei reached $50-$60 each at one point in the late 80's. So anyone who had any idea of a way to avoid using shell beads tried their hand at it. Hoping to control the market. Josh likes nuclei from oyster shells. The Aussies like U.S. shell. But nobody I know uses any other legal product. Don't know about China
 
Mikeyy- thanks for keeping me up to date on both of those materials- it appears that my info is about two years old (was doing research at that time), and mentioned earlier that I hadn't heard of anything being used on a commercial scale; now I know it was due to a business scam! Good to know. :)
 
Mikeyy said:
the largest nuclei I supply from our U.S. shell is about 5.2 to 5.5bu. Thats about the limit for Maxima shells. There are tons of giant clam nuclei around that are any size you want. obviously not legally. We have been through the glue, epoxy's, ceramics, dolimite, you name it. Prices for large nuclei reached $50-$60 each at one point in the late 80's. So anyone who had any idea of a way to avoid using shell beads tried their hand at it. Hoping to control the market. Josh likes nuclei from oyster shells. The Aussies like U.S. shell. But nobody I know uses any other legal product. Don't know about China
Click to expand...

I have been inside two factories in China. The first one was using a local freshwater shell to make small beads. They said they were for the local akoya market and also for the International market. The second was the factory in Guanzhou where I shot the short YouTube video. This factory used all US Shell. I visited one other factory but was not allowed entrance. I assume Tridacna was on the menu there.
 
So the huge nuclei are not shell powder with the specifically designed resin glue- it is slices and domes. I like that idea better than tridacna.
 
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