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Thanks for the bump Blaire I appreciate it. Do you know what compound they use to polish the pearls on the buffing wheels and in the tumblers?

To me the corrosive liquid is probably not the answer in this case. Because when you flip the pearl, the situation reverses. One side of the pearl is always hazy and the other appears untouched. The 1st photo and the 3 photo I flipped the pearl. The half that was hazy in the first photo is the...

I can't say I've seen millions, maybe thousands and I haven't come across this blemish on freshwaters or akoyas.

From what I'm told, this type of blemish only occurs on Tahitian and South Seas. It's not always a "cup" sometimes its a broad line and sometimes its in multiple direction in the same area as you can you with the frosty looking one.

There is two pearls here. When I attached the photos it mixed up the order. The top photo and the bottom photo are actually the same pearl flipped 180 degrees vertically. The second photo is a different pearl with lots of small blemishes. I wasn't able to photograph the Tahitian pearl that has a...

Heres photo of the blemish I'm talking about. The one where its really fine, may be hard to see.

Hi Dean, They are culturing conch pearls. I was at the conference in Tucson when Hector was presenting them. For the most part, they are small and very in quality. I've yet to see them on the market yet, someone correct me if you have seen them. As far as I know the first generation of pearls...

Don't worry about it, I appreciate the response. I would say I'm still learning despite my education. I know the basics about pearls but I'm trying to expand my knowledge beyond the basic gemmology textbooks.

Thanks for the response. To be honest, I wasn't sure what to call that type of blemish. I think that may be what I'm seeing. If I get a chance to take a photo of it I will and post it here to confirm it.

I just had a question about a type of blemish found on the tahitian and south sea pearls and I was hoping the experts would weigh in. Unfortunately I dont have a photo. The blemish looks almost like file/polish mark. I've seen it on all types of South Sea/Tahitian pearls, sometimes its a small...

Cultured Saltwater pearls will have a Mother of pearl bead nucleus with layers of nacre on top of it. Most freshwater pearls do not have this nucleus, although there are some larger freshwater pearls that are bead nucleated now.

Does anyone know which tridacna clam can produce a brown pearl or are they all capable of it?

The EGL in Vancouver does pearl xrays and reports. Although I would say lilliefuzzysocks' statement is correct.

I'm not an expert, but I would guess its a pinctada maxima oyster. And it looks like you have a nice natural pearl. But lets see what the experts say.

Soldering isn't difficult with practice. But Wendy is right, you will need a proper flame. I use a swiss torch with a combination of either natural gas or propane and oxygen. There are other torches that dont require the oxygen like the little whale torch. Prep your metal well. Make sure both...

I wouldve never guessed cost of labor wouldve been a big deal. I just thought it was really strange getting the $100 spread on same size and quality.

I'm just wondering if anyone knows why good 7mm strands and 8mm strands are so expensive right now. I get quotes from wholesalers and the price is all over the place right now.

First time I've ever seen that.

I thought that if they were keishi they would have a void in the Xray from the mantle tissue. The xray makes them look natural to me.

They do look like rice pearl. Wholesale prices is a few dollars for a set. There is a low demand for this type of pearl. Assuming the clasp is base metal.