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  1. SteveM

    couple of ancient pearl

    Without curiosity life would be quite boring!
  2. SteveM

    Pinctada Maculata (Pipi) Pearls

    Here's my idea for the clasp: Discard the lobster. Add swivel push clasps on each end of the strand, each attaching to the center hoop along with the tassel on its hinged bale. Additionally, as the strand is too short at 17 inches and a length of 20-21 inches would be desireable, a chain...
  3. SteveM

    Pinctada Maculata (Pipi) Pearls

    After a year in construction, all the pieces of 'Te Taonga' were received just a couple weeks ago. There is reason to think that the tassel would be best worn on the clasp as an enhancer, with the required adjustments to the findings. Comments welcome!
  4. SteveM

    couple of ancient pearl

    You were curious enough to purchase these items, perhaps the treasure hunters offered more details than you have shared here. The price you paid is what they are worth, to you. Age analysis would be justified relative to your continuing curiosity, there would be no financial incentive to do so.
  5. SteveM

    couple of ancient pearl

    Repair is not possible, whether pearls or shell. These items would have value if they were historically significant (such as "Cleopatra wore them"). Who is Eldridge (seen below the US flag in one of the photos)?
  6. SteveM

    Show Us Your Pearls In Action!!!

    Nice, terrific use of seed pearls!
  7. SteveM

    Show Us Your Pearls In Action!!!

    Deserves a thread of its own!
  8. SteveM

    Peanut pearls,accidents or deliberate seeding?

    Thanks Pattye, great to have the Strack background! The matching is reminiscent of the patience required to compose natural pearl pieces. and the 'jacks' configuration vs. lengthwise drilling is especially interesting. Barbara, would you be able to post a photo of the piece as it hangs?
  9. SteveM

    Mystery Vintage Freshwater Pearls

    Many small pearls from many small oysters. Decomposition harvesting was generally practiced with the Pinctada Maculata (Pipi) on Penryhn/Tongareva in the Cook Islands, with India also as the primary market. The oyster beds on Penryhn, prominently mentioned in Kunz and other historic sources as...
  10. SteveM

    Mystery Vintage Freshwater Pearls

    Shall we add the possible presaging (in miniature, lacking nucleus extraction) of soufflé pearls? It would be interesting to get a lab report done. If the nucleus material is similarly proportioned in all the pearls, they would not seem natural.
  11. SteveM

    Mystery Vintage Freshwater Pearls

    Were there any significant early attempts at tissue nucleation of Akoya?
  12. SteveM

    Need help with this pearl necklace

    The hole continues to get deeper. But this fee opportunity will surely not go overlooked. And then who will certify the certificate certifications?
  13. SteveM

    Need help with this pearl necklace

    I'm a bit mystified that grading reports (subjective opinion) are being presented, charged and accepted as 'certificates' (scientific determination). Nice racket, either as a fraud or legitimate.
  14. SteveM

    Pearl earrings from excavation in Pompeii

    To add that the nacre somehow survived the 1500ºF heat of the pyroclastic gases. The woman must have wrapped her body around the earrings as though they were her child. For perspective (and understanding of the woman's priorities): "Roman general (and later emperor) Vitellius was said to have...
  15. SteveM

    Pearl earrings from excavation in Pompeii

    The pearls are in remarkable condition! Perhaps just a little rub with Pearl Paradise microfiber cloth…
  16. SteveM

    Natural Pearl Necklace Sells for World Auction Record $5.1 Million

    Simple candling will do. Here from the same paper. I think Krzemnicki was just going after the gullibility of the buyer at a time when purported Melo Melo pearls of large size were becoming unusually common. Such ease of detection would serve to reinforce the advantages of porcelaneous vs...
  17. SteveM

    Natural Pearl Necklace Sells for World Auction Record $5.1 Million

    Tempting to think best to just stay away from iridescent pearls in the modern age of non-bead culturing. But in review of the options, take a look at this 'melo pearl’ as imaged by Michael Krzemnicki of SSEF ("Fake Pearls Made from Tridacna gigas Shells Michael S. Krzemnicki and Laurent E...
  18. SteveM

    Online Pearl Class from the Victoria and Albert Museum

    If you do decide to watch, it would be interesting to know if they fall in line with the gemmological sector in declaring porcelainous 'concretions' from conch, clam, cassis, scallop, melo melo, etc. as 'not true pearls.'
  19. SteveM

    Debunking another widely held myth. Nacreous v Non-Nacreous

    We can expand the net to include all popular pearl literature, Strack serving a symbolic function. Thus the "burden" I most recently referenced. That's a lot of re-writing to do! But we've made considerable noise here. Someone must be hearing! In all of the referenced papers here I can only...
  20. SteveM

    Debunking another widely held myth. Nacreous v Non-Nacreous

    The Arabic naqur (mollusk shell) is turning out to be a prescient etymology. It would be of great interest to know if you would offer any guidance for Elizabeth Strack on a future update to her comments on nacre. She's one of the most open-minded gemologists I've had the pleasure of meeting!
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