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I can't speak for the Burma pearls. However, from my research when I was writing the book on the Indonesian SSP last year, I do know that the farmers generally nurture the oysters for two to three more years after they are nucleated (to allow the nacre to grow). Is that considered a short time?

Last year I was on assignment to write about the Indonesian SSP. When I talked about pearl rarity (exceptionally fine luster or rare colors) with a local pearl farmer, he took out his not-for-sale collection from the drawer of his desk. Please excuse the poor lighting and photography. All of...

Are the exhibitors only selling to the trade? Or can I purchase items there, too?

Alas, I think I have missed all the Zeide fun..

The SSEF report only states saltwater natural pearl. However, from the size, coloration and the fact it's nacreous, I'm guessing Pinctada Maxima, i.e. the oyster that produces the SS pearl. The other Pinctadas are smaller in size. But hey, you never know. In this forum, we've seen a 9 mm Poe...

I didn't ask. However, I am assuming from the process itself, i.e. breeding, growing out for 2 years, nucleation, then 2 more years for pearl cultivation, the oysters have to be at least 4 yrs old, some maybe older (2nd or 3rd nucleation). The SSP culturing process is certainly not for the...

Me too.. I wish I can run my hands through them like this guy did... hahah... The image quality is not the greatest, but you can deduce the size of the pearls (and the size of the bucket in the background!). These pics are taken on the same harvest day.

Gorgeous pearls, Dave. Maybe we should go pearl-farm touring together sometime. Heheh.. The location you mention is much closer than Raja Ampat!

You know, I am wondering the same thing. Given that the bucket contains harvested pearls, I'm inclined to think they are implanted nucleus that didn't successfully get coated with nacre. But that's just my theory.

Oh, I forgot to include stats. The pearl in the oyster is about 14mm. No, I haven't been to this particular farm (in Indonesia's West Papua). However, I did visit their hatchery, which is on another location altogether. Fascinating stuff, this pearl cultivation. There are so many exacting...

A farmer friend sent me these pics the other day. Thought I'd share them with you guys.. Enjoy!

Fascinating, GG. I wonder if Dave's candling setup is enough for us to see this as well?

Hi guys, I'm hoping the Canadian consumers would chime in. I'm in Indonesia, but I'm considering having the pearls I'm purchasing (from the US) sent to my friend's address in Canada. My question is regarding customs fee. Is there one? And if so, how much is it (I'm assuming it's a percentage...

Re: Canadian... Oh right.. sorry... hahaha... Re: setup for candling... I picked up a few bluish SSP at the Indonesian Pearl Festival the other day (umm, I am still holding out on pics on you guys).. I was told by one vendor that the blue color is a result of "impurities" in the water that is...

Hi Dave, Great info. Thanks for posting this. What type of lighting, camera, etc. do you use to candle these pearls? I tried to do this using a normal torch.. err... flashlight to you Americans. Would that suffice?

This image wasn't showing in the previous post... Here is more Wilma Flintstone pearl necklaces.. Here are all of them displayed together..

The booth of ASBUMI - the Indonesian Cultured Pearl Association, containing specimens of all sorts of oysters native to Indonesia (P. fucata and P. margaritifera included!).

Wilma Flintstone pearl strands..

This is me picking keshis for my station necklace project. Sorry pattye, I did get to pet trays and trays of pearls...

Many loose pearl sellers had the pearls made into matched sets (to be made into a pair for earrings, a pendant and a ring). Here are 3 sets of golden SS pearls with their variations of colors (the left set is greenish, the middle is the most sought after reddish golden, and the right set is...