Back from a London journey, more stories about pearls

[pearlgem]

Ok, to solve this mystery: The pendant is said to be iberian, around 1720, no clue about the origin of the pearls, but they might be of caribbean provenience (due to the iberian origin of the piece), if they are not freshwater.

 

[pattye]

Sven,

Thank you for showing the lovely pendant. I love red gemstones!

 

[CLICLASP]

Now, still from London, we are moving from the British museum to the Natural history museum, and it's time for a small revision of natural history of pearls ...
Photos taken through windows .. sorry for quality.

Which is which? and where do these oysters come from ?
Play now

 

[CLICLASP]

A big thank to everybody for your interest,
we just passed 2000 readings of this thread and 7000 the previous one here :
https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/pearl-history/2755-how-old-pearl-play-again.html

 

[pearlgem]

Wow CLICLASP, that is a big number of reads! One addition to the pendant I showed: As the settings in this times where always closed on the back, the rubies are foiled on the back, what changes the colour a bit - and makes them appear different, a bit more spinel-like.

 

[CLICLASP]

2010, time to resume the story,
- the first oyster is the "black lip oyster", this one comes from the Seychelles,
- the second one is the Japanese pearl oyster.
Of course, photos not to scale.

Now, the story finishes soon, for the ones who likes stories, I have started a story of the clasp in jewelry through ages here, you can join the group:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/anna-tabakhova-bijoux-paris/106363538537#/group.php?gid=236759659887

Enjoy !

 

[CLICLASP]

Now, there is a big difference between these 2 mussels, will you find it?

 

[Caitlin]

Other than shape? Is it where they are from? The bottom looks more American mussel. Is the top one Asian?

 

[CLICLASP]

That was a bit harder to find,
the upper one is from the Tay river in Scotland
the second one comes from Lake Biwa in Japon.

 

[CLICLASP]

We just passed 2500 readers, but few participation , bored of stories ? stop or more ?

 

[GemGeek]

If you have more photos, I say go ahead!

 

[newberry]

We just passed 2500 readers, but few participation , bored of stories ? stop or more ?

Cliclasp, I love reading this thread because it is so informative but unfortunatly I find I do not have a clue to the answers to even post a guess. I am sure I'm not the only one who feels this way because of the number of views. Please don't stop.

 

[pattye]

Enjoy following along also, seldom guess either,but appreciate that it is fun and educational! So please, please do continue, Anna!

 

[Heidi]

Love the education - please do keep going...I don't often answer or guess (the truthful way of putting it) as I am such a newbie.

 

[Chameleon]

Very interesting reading indeed. Too comfy and not aware of the field enough to go guessing, but do come back reading

Maria

 

[Caitlin]

Hi
I do have the nerve to post sometimes, but I think I only ever got one right! Never-the-less, this is a brilliant thread that people will enjoy for years!

 

[CLICLASP]

So, where do these oysters come from ? See how curious they look

 

[Mitsucats]

I don't know, but the bottom one look like beautiful pearl foam...lovely!

 

[Caitlin]

Can we get a measurement?

 

[lisa c]

nets? and the planets?

nets? and the planets?

So what's your opinion of this specimen ?
Another curiosity

These (the 1stCheapside Hoard post) remind me of fishing nets being pulled up from the sea.

With the pearls lining the sides they then made me think of the nets holding the pearlbearing shells, but that's only free-associating.

Also, the arms bearing the pearls, swinging from the pivot, number 6 (one arm could be missing), and brought to mind the science fair planets models; another vision then came, of Chinese lantern-globes hanging over the waters at night. To attract the catch, or illuminate their work? I don't know fishing...

I wish I had your knowledge; this is fun to follow!