Natural Abalone Pearls

The Strack book is totally worth the price, if you really want to learn pearls. I have heard a 2nd edition is coming out. If that great event is in the next few months, you may wish to wait.

We have ways to find the book in a thread in the Books and Resources forum. The most direct method, and how I got mine, was through the publisher. They would also know when the next edition is arriving.
 
I'll look at your book selection here on the forum, thanks for the suggestion! And the Stack book is at the top of my list. Can anyone tell me about Abalone Blister Pearls? I love the antique stick pins with those pearls. Think they are from the outside nodules of the abalone? I have an antique pin with a blister pearl. Looks like a mini volcano with a pearl inside. Can't figure it out, but it's gorgeous.
 
Hi Patricia,

the abalone blister pearls are produced by worms and parasites in the inner side of the abalone shell. The outside nodules can be polished to look like a blister pearl but they wouldn?t be consider as a blister pearl.
 
Thanks, Tango,
Sometimes it's very difficult to tell whether the tiny examples in antique pins are cut from nodules or are true blister pearls. But from what I can tell the nodules usually do have an orange tint and are peaked while the ab blister pearls are flatter wider (or more baroque.) I guess it's best to just regard these relics for what they are: beautiful little gems, carefully hand cut and hand set. A Native American jewelry maker told me that it is very difficult and dangerous to cut abalone nodules without sophisticated equipment because abalone dust is very sharp and fine, flies everywhere, and stays in the lungs . So that's probably the reason why modern jewelry makers don't bother to cut the nodules much anymore. My opinion is that what was once called 'eye of the abalone' (the nodule) is now referred to and sold as an 'abalone blister pearl." A very misleading term. But the fact is that some of these tiny pearls are very difficult to identify.. for me, anyway. Thanks!
 
I'll try to get someone to photograph the antique stick pins I've collected over the years ..maybe someone can help me identify the pearls. The small sterling broach (art deco broach) I own is unusual because the setting was made to conform to the exact size and shape of the 'pearl.' (a very unusual abalone cutting of some kind.) Really a gorgeous piece, no matter what it is.
 
I read somewhere in an old pearl book that those nodules were once on the inside of the shell. As more layers grow inside, the nodule is pushed to the outside by wear on the shell, otherwise the shells would become thicker each year. I think Jmarcus, the abalone natural blister pearl specialist, confirmed it the last time I said that in a post, but I am open to corrections. I am sure he has sophisticated eqyuipment and maybe wears a mask while cutting.

Look at some of his old posts-a lot of blister pearls he has cut.
 
Hi Catlin..Yes, your theory makes much more sense. Some of the old 'abalone blister pearl' jewelry listed for sale on line is marvelous.. The only confusing thing is the orange color that surrounds the 'pearl' area. I examined my shells and absolutely could not figure out where the heck the so called ab pearl nodule would be. The nodules that eventually turn into holes are very, very thin.. no way that they could be polished to perfection.. the only other area on the shell that might be a candidate for this kind of craftsmanship is the 'curly' area on the outside round of the shell.. Thanks, I'll look for jmarcus comments.. Now that I'm back home again I'm armchairing like mad. By the way, your trip to the Sea of Cortez was dazzling. .... all I can say is Wow!
 
Oh.. ok.. you mean that there are thick areas, (probably due to parasite invasion).. that form/begin inside then get pushed to the outside of the shell, appearing there as thick bumps that can be cut and polished. Got it. In my opinion those areas should be regarded as pearls.. formed on the inside but pushed to the outside. It this is true, its no wonder that they were prized in the early 1900's.. Whatever these lovely formations are, the 'eye' of the abalone or 'abalone blister pearls'.. they are gorgeous.
 
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66.37ct GIA citified heart shaped AB pearl.

66.37ct GIA citified heart shaped AB pearl.

I found this pearl under stearns wharf in Santa Barbara in 1975. As far as I know I am the only one who found an Abalone pearl that was not in an abalone. Did not know what is was when I found in on the bottom but upon returning to the surface a local identified as an AB pearl and offered $100 for it. Glad I didn't take the offer.

John OConnor
323 309 2774
 

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That's lovely - kind of a pudgy heart - how big is it? Really interesting color for an abalone pearl...

Sheri
 
Forgot to tell yall the "Heart of Santa Barbara" is 66.31 cts and measures approx. 33.65x24.20x12.45 MM. On Dec. 12 2002 I recieved a GIA gem trade lab report #12336008 conclusion 66.31ct. Abalone Pearl.
 
your abalone pearl

your abalone pearl

Hi John,
With the exception of a rainbow hue (which is illusive in photos) your pearl looks exactly like the pearls I own.. And you picked yours up under Stern's Wharf, about the same time and place I acquired mine! Amazing coincidence. I don't know about the value of your pearl.. I haven't asked anyone and I haven't sold any of my pearls.. My collection itself is such a treasure, so beautiful and unusual.. rich with Santa Barbara history, .. it's almost impossible to think about parting with it. But from what I've learned on this site I think your pearl could have a good solid market value (even in this economy.) Because it's shimmer looks wonderful, the shape is marvelous.. and the size is good, your pearl just looks like it could become a beautiful and important piece of jewelry. There are experts from Santa Barbara who participate and post on this site. I'm sure one of them will find your post and get back to you. Have you solicited the local jewelry makers? So many wonderful jewelers here.
A starting place might be the beach festival. But I think you'd want an established jeweler to look at the pearl before selling it. A store in Carpinteria, Peggy's treasures, is owned by a certified gemologist, a wonderful man who might be able to tell you exactly what to do next. (He has done antique jewelry repair and estimates for me , is very knowledgeable.) Good luck to you. Just so nice to see this pearl here.. so nice to know that there are more pearls like mine out there! Patricia
 
By the way, how did you acquire the GIA report? I'd like to take that step myself.
 
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I just took out my pearls and looked at your photo again. Your photo captures the silvery color and sheen of my pearls. In fact your pearl is exactly like my pearls.. Identical. Makes me think that your pearl slipped out of my pocket during one of my visits to see the Lobster Man on Sterns Wharf. Or out of his pockets, one or the other. Whatever, you sure did find a beauty. Wonderful!
 
Horn Shape Pearl - re read this

Horn Shape Pearl - re read this

new zealand natural pearl said:
thanks so much for your interest.
Yes, "pearlesence" 100's of calcite nodules.
The day began when we cut this piece of shell
and this is what we found (these are all the same piece of shell)
picture 1 is the nacred piece cut from shell
picture 2 borer entered bottom more to the lower middle of picture-
picture 3 - the explosion of 100's of natural nucleus'
it also shows an early level of nacre.View attachment 7841View attachment 7843View attachment 7844
our theory:
When the shell borer penetrates the abalone goes into preservation mode.
Encystation takes place. The foreign bodies (as shown in picture "100's")
are entombed in nacre and sometimes fused together. This is a defensive response to the irritant i.e.
Protective coating. In all blisters we have studied (borered) this evidence is
there in every case. The secretion from the shell borer could possibly be
acidic which would cause such a reaction from the animal. We do know,
in most cases the abalone wins the battle as we have found evidence of
dead shell borer. When the shell borer penetrates the foot area of the
abalone we get an eruption of small nucleus which can be entangled in
the foot of the abalone. Some remain intact others become freeform.
We have photographs to back this which we can post.
Click to expand...

hi there - re read this - the process of natural pearl is simple
 
I've been interested in reading the posts regarding how an abalone tusk pearl is actually formed. It seems to me that my large broken pearl might be of some interest. Due to the potential value of large tusk pearls and perhaps due to the fact that broken pearls like this one may have been discarded along the way, this specimen might be an interesting study. If a qualified person would like to examine this pearl I'd be happy to help.
The pearl is shown here.
https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/natural-pearls/245-natural-abalone-pearls-19.html
 
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