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Reviewing the scientific literature (in hopes of finding something definitive) the consensus seems to be that maturity of margaritifera margaritifera is 10-12 years with a life expectancy of 75-130 years (and per above I saw something that said 150 years). In the extinction process it is...

Both bangle and ring are innovative (if not badass!) ideas, to go along with a man's pendant. Anything to save that horn from its more typical fate as an objet d'art.

Very well presented to the bidders, not only unique and beautiful but a fleeting reminiscence of a bygone genre. And with its shell! Douglas, what is your thought about the plausibility of this part of the description: (Subsequent to above I refreshed my acquaintance with margaritifera...

Great photos! The pearls are every bit as nice as they appeared in the live stream.

Not so offbeat! Given your comments, and in light of the certificate, the late seller would have been far less quick in parting with it. A reminder to all that liquidations of anything but securities and real estate need to be done pre-mortem!

It has impressive color and girth, bottom is unimportant given its obvious application as a pendant or large ring. Did you have something in mind when you bought it?

By the way, this was the hank of Poe Pipi. It was astonishing to see, even the South Pacific locals are baffled how it was possible to create so many matching strands in the full range of PP colors. I’ll stick my neck out and surmise that Pearl Paradise may have access to any remaining strands...

Thanks all, yes I think it’s turning out as well as hoped, and the frosting on the cake would be exactly as Pattye says, that it be wearable.

We'll bring that tassel back to this thread via a progress report today, pending final construction. What a project it has been sorting and setting that 110-ct lot of Poe Pipi from Alex Collins! As is readily apparent, it is in skillful and experienced hands. Cap is two-sided 18k with a hinged...

Just this year I subscribed to the IGS website with this very objective of having an authoritative resource on the stone side. It's really good but the annual subscription is substantially more than the cost of this book.

That was among the most beautiful Ab Horns I've seen, subtly vibrant colors with uninterrupted lustrous nacre surface including the top end (which creates a setting challenge as that would typically be conveniently covered by the custom metal work). Look forward to photos upon receipt!

With the scientific progress being discussed here, it may become the Chinese FW industry's patriotic duty to develop red pearls. Once the Purple Hyriopsis is perfected they could perhaps do a little gene splicing from a gold-lipped Pinctada species to get just the right mix to make red. That...

Thus the marketing opportunity, and the intensive R&D.

Hats off to the dlligence of the Chinese FW industry. Given the commitment and the resources, there can be no doubt that the objectives will be achieved. Today's extreme rarity will continuously become tomorrow's standard, only to reveal a higher threshold to conquer. With the accelerating...

Is there any consideration that purple might be a passing fashion? Or perhaps we should assume that purpleness will be pursued to the point of market saturation (purpality?), as with any other commodity that enjoys current popularity.

I'm going shell on those too. Nicely polished.

Science is eventually going to find a way to extract enough DNA from non-nacreous (prismatic) shell material to ID the pearls, and my wishful thinking is that the flamed symmetrical ones we've been calling Tridacna are anything but. As for these sham inquiries, P-G should try to find a way to...

Yes that's it. I watched this episode in real time and subsequently spent 10 years away from pearls. When I returned here, it was more than a little surprising to find it had been relegated to a footnote in pearl history.

Rather, tissue nucleation and predictable symmetry. About 20-25 years ago there was considerable work done with P. Maxima, likely under Chinese direction if not ownership, with the objective of obtaining natural saltwater certification. This was reported by the gem labs, who were initially...

It's great to get a peak behind the scenes to see the intensity of Chinese efforts to fortify and expand their domination of the pearl market! At least it's not TOP SECRET (I wonder if that's just scientific hubris).