Use of the term "Pearl Plated Beads"

[jshepherd]

I have heard from a very good source that some sort of chemical maeshori is going on IN Australia, despite the industry PR pitch. Still nothing compared with Akoya, but more than the party line will admit to.

The risk versus the reward is always a big factor when considering the percentage that will die off after 9 months, again after 15 months... after 2 years... This is what they all factor in deciding when to pull the shell from the water. I do not know the total percentage in Japan, but in China a difference of only 3 months accounted for an additional 15% attrition.

 

[Ragnorak]

I have heard from a very good source that some sort of chemical maeshori is going on IN Australia, despite the industry PR pitch.

It's quite possible but I can't see it happening to add colour. Most likely it's the use of chemicals to skin pearls.

 

[jshepherd]

It is a form of luster treatment, not color treatment. It is referred to as pre-processing in Japan. South Sea pearls often go through in Japan (as well as color treatment), but treatments at home have always been denied. This is why it is so interesting.

 

[Ragnorak]

It is a form of luster treatment, not color treatment. It is referred to as pre-processing in Japan. South Sea pearls often go through in Japan (as well as color treatment), but treatments at home have always been denied. This is why it is so interesting.

Can't say I've heard of it happening in Australia. A tumble in wood chips brings out the lustre in the majority of the product that is worth worth selling.

But I have no idea what processing may be happening in SE Asian countries or what happens to any south seas pearl after they arrive in Japan.

 

[jshepherd]

The writer who told me about it caught wind while conducting research there. This writer also pointedly asked about this processing but received a "no comment".
The tumbling in the chips is considered just a polish, not a treatment, so that is not something that demands disclosure, but the maeshori would be.

 

[Ragnorak]

The writer who told me about it caught wind while conducting research there. This writer also pointedly asked about this processing but received a "no comment".

The only other thing that I know of that is used is parrafin. I can't really say why there'd be a no comment unless the person in question was being unusually coy or paranoid.

Quite possibly being more paranoid since the (Western) Australian industry prides itself on not "processing" it's products. ie. that the polishing methods used may be some how confused with artifically treating pearls to enhance colour, lustre, etc.

But I haven't had any contact with industry sources for a number of years so I can't say for certain whether any pearling companies would have started processing their pearls.

Though on the whole I can't see why any company would have been stupid enough to start in the first place.

 

[jshepherd]

Quite possibly being more paranoid since the (Western) Australian industry prides itself on not "processing" it's products. ie. that the polishing methods used may be some how confused with artifically treating pearls to enhance colour, lustre, etc.

That is precisely what makes it so interesting. If it indeed is happening it will come out.

 

[Ragnorak]

That is precisely what makes it so interesting.

It would be interesting to find the source of this information.

If it indeed is happening it will come out.

Indeed. But if it were happening, it would be difficult to believe that Paspaley Pearls wouldn't know about it and be very keen to put a stop to it.

 

[jshepherd]

I cannot comment on either side of that without revealing the source, which at this point I cannot. But you would be right in that those at the top would know.
But if a Japanese company were to set up shop in Australia and process South Sea pearls, this would still go against everything that is "guaranteed" by the industry, even though they have no real part in it.

 

[Ragnorak]

I cannot comment on either side of that without revealing the source, which at this point I cannot.

I'd be more interested in learning the circustances surrounding how the information was received and what position the said source had in the industry.

But if a Japanese company were to set up shop in Australia and process South Sea pearls, this would still go against everything that is "guaranteed" by the industry, even though they have no real part in it.

The chances of a Japanese company setting up in Australia to process locally produced SSPs would be extremely remote. They'd have difficutly aquiring local product, not to mention the producers' association carries a lot of clout with the Western Australian government.

I'm sure that any company that would tarnish or even be seen to tarnish the image of the local product would be dealt with very quickly.

 

[Caitlin]

Orient is only found in pearls from ?seawater? pearl oysters, and orient only ?appears? with a perfect combination of nacre thickness and nacre quality.

guess where this quote came from........



These folks!!! in their "pearling" section under "questions and answers.

We have a reference in the Guide that points to a Paspaley page, which may no longer be up, that made a very small print statement that the pearls were subject to certain enhancements. They have redone their site and I no longer see the statement.

 

[jshepherd]

Hmmm... I wonder how a mistake like that was made...

Well, I just cannot go any further into it, but I would like to know. It is a real rumor, and real questions have been asked. I only know of it from the person who asked the questions. The Japanese side was one possible scenario. I do know how tightly things are controlled there, but when rumors surface, there often is something behind it. We know the process is commonplace as soon as the pearls hit Japanese shores...

Anyway, gotta run!

 

[Ragnorak]

We have a reference in the Guide that points to a Paspaley page, which may no longer be up, that made a very small print statement that the pearls were subject to certain enhancements. They have redone their site and I no longer see the statement.

If that statement was present in the past then it is likely that they were "enhancing" their pearls. To what extent we can only guess.

I do know how tightly things are controlled there, but when rumors surface, there often is something behind it.

The Western Australian government has tightly regulated the industry since the early 90s and perhaps even long before that for all I know. But that was more from a fisheries management stand point as disasters on the east coast over the years has all but killed off the industry there.

Though I'm not certain whether the government decided to enforce quality control or the producers' association took it apon themselves to do so.

If I remember correctly, rumours of processing have been doing the rounds since the early 90s.

 

[jshepherd]

I have a bit more information after discussing this in depth with the same person for more than a couple hours.

It is no longer a rumor. In '99 Paspaley was on record stating that treatments did not happen in Australia. Earlier this year the question was asked again based on an assertion from Bill Reed that was not direct, but needed to be followed up. Kelly's response was that it is happening, but Paspaley is not involved in any way.

This basically leaves one, and being from there you know which one I am referring to - the one that sells for 6 but does not auction. But as that is an simply a good assumption, I am not going to mention the name.

I do not think it is a big deal, however. Maeshori has been going on for years in Japan and it is never, ever disclosed. Most South Sea pearls go through Japan, so one would assume any South Sea strand in the past with the tag "product of Japan" went through at least maeshori.

 

[Ragnorak]

This basically leaves one, and being from there you know which one I am referring to - the one that sells for 6 but does not auction. But as that is an simply a good assumption, I am not going to mention the name.

It couldn't say much as to who wouldn't send their pearls to auction but if it is that other company then that would be an interesting development.

I do not think it is a big deal, however.

Maybe, maybe not. Though it's interesting that they maybe be enhancing their pearls. All things considered.

 

[jshepherd]

I believe they sell for 6 farms, including Atlas in Indonesia, but I am not certain about the number.

Well, if it can be corroborated it will likely be public.

The reason I do not think the maeshori is a big deal is simply because it has been happening for ever, more or less. The Japanese held a monopoly for so long, nearly all South Sea likely went through it. But, if it is happening now, and not all companies that sell direct to the market are participating, it should be disclosed.

 

[Mikeyy]

I believe they sell for 6 farms, including Atlas in Indonesia, but I am not certain about the number.

Well, if it can be corroborated it will likely be public.

The reason I do not think the maeshori is a big deal is simply because it has been happening for ever, more or less. The Japanese held a monopoly for so long, nearly all South Sea likely went through it. But, if it is happening now, and not all companies that sell direct to the market are participating, it should be disclosed.

I doubt it...You mean Pas and Atlas Pacific. Nah.

 

[jshepherd]

No. I was referring to Autore.

 

[Mikeyy]

No. I was referring to Autore.

Sorry I was confused.

 

[007]

How do Freshadama compare to Akoya?

How do Freshadama compare to Akoya?

Akoya pearls fill a need in the market that, until we launched freshadama, freshwater pearls could not hope to fill. I do know of the nacre problems and durability problems, and I do play my part in only sourcing the best and working to lengthen the culturing process in farms with which I hold interest and/or support.

As an eastcoast individual I have never seen any true Freshadama pearls to compare to Akoyas. As a consumer I think both are beautiful but probably side a little with appreciating the relative durability of freshwater pearls. Would it be possible to see a picture or pictures comparing FWP AA+, AAA and Freshadama with similarly graded Akoya pearls? I keep wondering if I would fully appreciate the difference between different grades.

I also admit that I dream of buying a tahitian necklace but after reading the forum for awhile, I suspect they would show heavy wear overtime and can't imagine investing in a full strand if it will not last well through 40+ years. I sometimes spend a couple of years deciding on a purchase- I like things to last once I choose something.