Silver grey pearls

[Amrita]

Recently I acquired a few strands of silver grey FW pearls in various sizes ranging from 6-7 mm to 10-11 mm. Though color-treated, I think they look quite gently elegant. Thought I'd share with my P-G friends here...what d'you think of them?

Here are some photos...

 

[pearlescence]

I have similar - some even have an attractive pink tinge. They look great on those with grey or white hair

 

[Pearly Shell]

They are beautiful! I especially love the biggies!

 

[Island Bound]

These are beautiful Amrita. I agree that they have a quiet elegance to them...

 

[GemGeek]

Thanks, they're pretty. I haven't seen that color in the larger size before. Power pearls, for sure.

 

[pattye]

Hi Amrita,

I like those alot! I've heard the grey color is caused through irradiation rather than dying. A must have for the complete pearl wardrobe, and a pink overtone would be terrific also!

Does anyone know more about the irradiation process? And if it is only done with the grey fw pearls?

 

[Island Bound]

Hi everyone!

Not to threadjack but I have a question... If pearls are irradiated, is the color permanent? I ask as I have an irradiated blue diamond and my jeweler has told me that irradiation stones will "fade" as time goes on. They don't lose their color altogether but the saturation does lessen.

Is it the same with irradiated pearls? It did not / would not stop me from buying diamonds or pearls that have been irradiated if I like them, I just want to become a better informed consumer.

Thanks for helping this newbie continue her education.

 

[jshepherd]

That color is almost certainly organic dye, not irradiation. The Chinese use of dye is more or less universal - even if they say it is laser or something else. Irradiation turns akoya pearls a silver-blue color often referred to as cobalt (the radiation used is Cobalt-60).

Irradiation treatment is permanent. The treatment does not darken the nacre, it darkens the bead implant because it is made of freshwater mussel shell, so it contains manganese. The outside saltwater nacre doesn't. The dark core reflecting through the realtively thin nacre gives the pearls a blue-silver coloration.

 

[pearlescence]

Thanks much for that information Jeremy.

 

[claudenancy]

Are all silver akoyas irradiated? Thanks for any information that you can provide.

 

[Raisondetre]

I'm pretty sure it's the black akoyas that are irradiated, not silvers. Where did you get that information?

 

[Island Bound]

Thanks for the "Pearl 101" lesson Jeremy! I do appreciate it...

 

[Skypearl]

those are gorgeous!!!

 

[barbie biggs]

Amrita:
Very beautiful. Is that an aqua overtone on those pearls? Or is it my screen? If it is I love it! Great luster.
barbie

 

[dkan 168]

I have similar - some even have an attractive pink tinge. They look great on those with grey or white hair

Oooo, they will suit me for sure, since my hair is now 90% white!

DK

 

[knotty panda]

The dark core reflecting through the realtively thin nacre gives the pearls a blue-silver coloration.

So, in Akoyas, why not color the beads BEFORE they are implanted?

 

[Hanaleimom]

I am not an expert, but here is what I am guessing. Farmers make more money selling white than non-white akoya. The pearls that are irradiated are not the highest quality (clean, round, white pearls or not too white which can still be bleached). Culturing using white beads allows farmers to graft and harvest top quality akoyas to sell and irradiate only the lower quality ones. Also grafting with white beads eliminate the extra cost of irradiation in case the graft is unsuccessful, oysters die, etc.

 

[Johanna]

Gorgeous - vey popular with professional women and brides on the East Coast...