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Anyone have anything new on vintage pearl books?

JoanAu, Thanks for sharing your wonderful adventure. I read a book titled Pearl Diver when I was twelve. It was the spark that sent me on some great adventures in the world of gems. Richard

Hey Jeremy, I want to go too! Richard

Clams Casino, one of my favorites. Take a dozen "cherry stones" them's small tender quahaogs for you California types. Bread crumbs, a bit of olive oil and a square of bacon. Broil for a few minutes under high heat...delicious. Oh, and remove all pearls before broiling.

I found an Assyrian reference. Anyone find anything older that 2450 BC?

Dave, Aside from their value in research, pearls are also objects of great beauty, but of limited utility. No one needs a pearl. They have no nutritional value, won't keep off the rain or keep you warm in winter. Market considerations include aesthetics and remember, utility is not, thank...

Dave, Have been remiss in not visiting the forum. Dave, your percentages are very interesting. I take it this is something you have developed and is not based on any other texts? I am thinking, given the exotic nature of your species, that this list cannot be applied across the board. Your...

Well, Got some interesting information. Few people seem to understand the role of translucency in natural pearls and even fewer pricing.

GemGeek, Often paler colors highlight transparency, but it is the combination that makes for "a gem of the finest water." Tavernier (my protagonist in The French Blue) described the water of one pearl as "dead." Luster is, of course, important, but a ball bearing can have exceptional luster...

Water is defined in the GIA dictionary as the combination of color and transparency in gems. Writers have used it in that sense and some have added clarity to the mix as well. Tavernier seems to have used it in the first sense and I used it to create my 4Cs of Connoisseurship which deletes...

Great shots, do you have one of one of those white pearls that shows the effect?

Yes, I am corresponding with Dave and it has been enlightening. My question, however, centers on natural Persian Gulf and radiata from the Gulf of Maanar pearls along with imbricata pearls from Cubaga/Margarita that Tavernier would have seen and worked with. I love pursuing questions like this...

Another point, Given that keshi pearls have no nucleus why don't the exhibit a degree of translucency or have I missed something?

?This prince possesses the most beautiful pearl in the world, not by reason of its size, for it only weighs 12 1/16 carats, nor on account of its perfect roundness; but because it is so clear and transparent that you can almost see the light through it...

It is an honor for me to announce that The French Blue has been named an "award-winning finalist" in the category of Historical Fiction at the 2011 International Book Awards. http://www.internationalbookawards.com/2011awardannouncement.html Richard Here is a link to a live reading of Chapter...

Francesca, Thanks for the contact, certainly glad to have you as a friend. The book, that is, the new one; The French Blue has a fan page on Facebook as well. Richard

Came upon an interesting site. The article includes a couple of tables showing the most important historical pearls with specs. http://www.internetstones.com/sara-pearl-tavernier-pearl-shaista-khan-pearl-55-carat-venezuelan-pearl.html

First let me say I was a bit put-off by Mr. Bloom?s prose style. He is without a doubt an elegant writer, but the glib-gonzo style, which is ok in a short piece, rapidly gets under the skin when stretched out to book length. Mr. Bloom is a journalist and though journalists are not expected to...

Caitlin, Thank you for the compliment. I read the section of ZE and found myself wondering what it had to do with the story of a pearl. Best,

Anything new on the Quahog peal? As a native of Rhode Island, I am interested.