Retired Iridesse by Tiffany & Co- Are these FW keshi?

Sb321

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Apr 9, 2025
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To me they just look like regular first-harvest tissue nucleated FWP.

The FW pearls often referred to as keshi are 2nd harvest pearls. That is, after they take out the first-harvest pearl, they place the mussel back in the water, and a new pearl forms in the existing pearl sac. Their shapes tend to be more irregular as a result. Sometimes a form is inserted so that the keshi will take on that shape. This is how one gets coin pearls, pearls shaped like stars or crosses etc.
 
Oh that’s so interesting. I’ve only known keshi as non-nuclear pearls, didn’t know they have multiple harvests. Does the first or second harvest effects/relfects the quality of keshi pearls do you think?

Also thank you kindly for taking the time to response and show me the difference. It is much appreciated ☺️.
 
There are also third harvest pearls! Have you seen flameballs/fireballs? Here is one stunning photo:

After removing the 2nd harvest pearl, if a bead is placed in the now-enlarged pearl sac, a flameball pearl results. The nacre covers the bead but extends beyond the bead like a tail because of the irregular shape of the sac. They look like a comet with a tail, hence the name.

Although the market favors round pearls, baroque shaped pearls of all kinds (1st, 2nd and 3rd harvest), often have beautiful orient, more than round pearls, because of the irregular nacre.
Have a look at the colors that result from light hitting the irregular surface of this baroque FWP:
baroque FWP showing orient.jpeg
 
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