I have also certainly been intrigued by this thread!
Just read the following snippet in the new edition of SSEF's magazine about an "an organic gelatinous nucleus...to create an inflated pearl sac" p21 here http://www.ssef.ch/fileadmin/Documents/PDF/640_Facette/SSEF-FACETTE21-Bd.pdf.
Any clue...
Hi Nora
I think you may have to check with the V&A. Photography today was subject to press consent and certain of the pieces and images could not be photographed.
Sorry.....but hope that helps.
Andrew
Hi all
I saw this amazing exhibition today at one of the previews - the curators, the V&A and the Qatar Museums Authority have done a wonderful job.
The exhibition mostly takes a historical journey through the known origins of natural pearls, their formation and types of pearls. Diving...
This will be special!
From Professional Jeweller
http://www.professionaljeweller.com/article-12870-history-of-pearls-to-wow-at-autumn-vampa-exhibition/
The V&A museum in London is set to host a large-scale historical exhibition of more than 200 pieces of pearl jewellery and pearl objets d'art...
Interesting article and new images here of a galleon wreck from 1622, believed to contain 9 gold bars, nearly 1,200 silver pieces of eight and 6,600 pearls.
Source...
Hi Johanna
There is indeed, close to Tottenham Court Road in London. http://www.gialondon.co.uk/. I do not think they offer Lab Services on site though, so it would be best to contact them.
SSEF in Basel http://www.ssef.ch is another highly reputable laboratory in Europe.
Andrew
Hi Wendy
I just saw this article on the sale http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2134411/Girl-500k-pearl-earrings-Jewels-locked-away-35-years-owner-didnt-like-tipped-raise-thousands-auction.html?ito=feeds-newsxml.
Apparently the pearls were given by a Romanian King to his mistress and have...