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  1. SteveM

    PSA - Fake Giant Clam Pearls | Tridacna Gigas

    I'm just the messenger here. As a current subscriber to International Gem Society I was shocked to see their position but have found it to be an entrenched one, utilizing dated GIA reference (Liddicoat). Your good definition would also allow for pearl blisters, and abalone horns. Nuclei would be...
  2. SteveM

    PSA - Fake Giant Clam Pearls | Tridacna Gigas

    That works. Although an anklet charm comes to mind for these folks. In another thread it was shown that the specialized pearl and gemology trades are in basic disagreement over the definition of a pearl. Gemologists believe they must be nacreous, or be relegated to 'calcareous concretion'...
  3. SteveM

    Help identify this Pearl Ring

    Spectral analysis is certainly a very good age indicator–of stars.
  4. SteveM

    Increasing the purpleness of beaded freshwater pearls

    In refreshing my familiarity with the spectrum, red as a primary color requires the mollusk to come up with it on its own. Purple and gold would result in deep brown--a distinct marketing challenge, unless of course they were to be expressed as stripes...
  5. SteveM

    An Exceptional Melo Melo Pearl

    I'm not seeing the flame, in Jeremy's hand or in the GIA shot. Surface actually looks pretty rough, but it is amazing the pearl retained its symmetry after what must have been decades in the pearl sac.
  6. SteveM

    StarryPearl's thread

    And to you for the incredible followup having a molecular background yourself! My contribution here is Google search related to the as-yet unrealized objective of sequencing white porcelanous (prismatic) pearls. To rehash an old thread, several years were spent here trying to prove or debunk...
  7. SteveM

    I want to get information about this pearl

    Must await the certificate. Meanwhile perhaps you could advise provenance for the chest of mud.
  8. SteveM

    I want to get information about this pearl

    It has every appearance of a nicely shaped, delicately colored and lustrous gastropod pearl (non-nacreous). Your name and screenshot indicate Turkish origin, can you tell us where you believe it was found?
  9. SteveM

    Purple Edison pearl, colored or natural

    Natural pigments also fade, thinking especially of porcelanous pearls such as Quahog (purple), Conch (pink), Melo Melo (orange). Owners of those rare treasures must be careful about storage and sun exposure.
  10. SteveM

    Pearl ID help please

    Ab colors are more evident in this photo, there remains little doubt. In this case a freeform pearl, not a blister. Good find!
  11. SteveM

    Pearl ID help please

    Very intriguing ring! While UV did not flouresce, the surface is classic P. Sterna 'hammered' texture. Maybe you should retry in a darker environment. Abalone can't be discounted, as roundish freeform examples do exist, although I would expect stronger green/blue. Your photos do pick up the...
  12. SteveM

    So I won an auction and now I have questions!

    Continuing my tendency to deviate threads, here is an actual MOP piano keyboard. Reality surpasses imagination! Henry Hawkey Pianos, NYC, 1850 Square Grand. MOP naturals with Rosewood sharps. AI was not far off—I just didn't specify Rosewood sharps! You can see the keytops are in two...
  13. SteveM

    StarryPearl's thread

    As long as the wearer is not a wildly gesticulating southern European it should stay in place for a while! Aside from the beautiful pearl, I am impressed by the concept of retaining visibility for the entire pearl surface. Always a pity to lose a beautiful pearl face in a setting.
  14. SteveM

    Pinctada Maculata (Pipi) Pearls

    Two finished pieces dropped off in the care of Jeremy and Hisano at Pearl Paradise yesterday. Fabulous PP photography! The act of setting a random lot of pearls versus meticulous matching has resulted in a tassel with an organic expression and natural feel. It's almost as though someone snagged...
  15. SteveM

    So I won an auction and now I have questions!

    @StarryPearl's 'Like' today offered a repeat glimpse of this image. As a pianist and former dealer in high-end European grand pianos it was a dream of mine to source MOP for piano keytops. Cutting and matching 52 sections of shell long and straight enough for the white keys on a standard...
  16. SteveM

    Show Us Your Pearls In Action!!!

    I feel like that Kasumi is watching me.
  17. SteveM

    StarryPearl's thread

    Great shot of the Pteria shells under UV! The DNA technology would minimally serve to put to rest any lingering insecurity regarding Tahitian/SSP pearl substitutions. Another thought was how similar a recent posting of golden SS keshi looked to baroque Poe Pipi. If ever it became an issue...
  18. SteveM

    StarryPearl's thread

    DNA Fingerprinting of nacreous shell species has been around for about 10 years, so given sufficient economic or other motivation it is possible to confirm natural or cultured non-porphyrinic (!!) nacreous pearl species origin without any room for doubt. Douglas, does the pink glow extend to...
  19. SteveM

    Show Us Your Pearls In Action!!!

    Also to eolian, the tails result in a corona-like effect. Very attractive. Jeg, is the feather pearl also Kasumi? It's a striking centerpiece.
  20. SteveM

    Show Us Your Pearls In Action!!!

    A loop (bale?) at each end is a great idea! It could then double (triple?) as a bangle with the appropriate double-clasp chain. Swivel bales or clasps.
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