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That's very intriguing! I could go on forever and a day about genetic diversity. My earliest work was with salmon, but later involved mussels. With the fin fish, we studied the effects of "jacking", which was one thought to be runting. It turned out the fish were not runts, but sexually...

P. maculata were considered a nuisance species. IUCN Red List Status, CMS and CITES status list these as un-evaluated. Overall, the fishery is minor while the economic value is marginal. Given their ability to thrive as intertidal, epifaunal or benthic creatures suggest strong genetic...

An intriguing collection, indeed. For the most part, the pieces are cut from shells. Quite elegantly. The seed pearls are a mystery, but I'd suspect early Biwa.

She withdrew (booted more likely) in disgrace right around the time I joined. Some of her comments were far fetched, but her science was preposterous on pretty much every level. Too bad too, because she had a fiery reverence and quite the hoard of pearls. Had she channelled that into something...

This type of piece has no gem or scientific value. Even as a curiosity, there is no interest. It is an Endangered Species. Cut and/or polished shells from Giant Clam (tridacna gigas) are illegal to trade in North America.

Thus nacreous.

Mass mortality of pearl oyster ( Pinctada fucata (Gould)) in Japan in 2019 and 2020 is caused by an unidentified infectious agent Tomomasa Matsuyama 1 , Satoshi Miwa 1 , Tohru Mekata 1...

Aragonite may or may not pass light, depending on the phase of the growth cycle when it's precipitated. Early in the cycle, bio-fluids tend to be dark and opaque, but become more translucent as the cycle wanes, thus varied. While conchiolin determines color and luster of pearls, translucency...

The first image is cut shell. The second image looks like blisters cut away from the shell, hence destroyed and devoid of any value, scientific or otherwise. The certificate from the lab suggests they test soil and water not gemstones. Giant Clam (Tridacna gigas) are listed as endangered by...

Again, nice work on your imagery. I have attached two images you'll find helpful. First is a typical bead nucleated cultured pearl. Second, a candled view of a shell bead from an American Washboard Mussel. Your first image suggests a bead of this type is present. In most of the remaining...

Congratulations for a successful harvest.

Was that intended as a derisive comment? Do you realize our commentary is for your and other's protection?

Tridacna gigas are CITES listed as Appendix ll, which is an endangered species. In most parts of the world it is illegal to trade in it's parts. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/giant-clam-tridacna-spp

A contradiction in terms. Incorrect. It's a cut and polished shell. It's not fossilized either. One might think after all these years, this nonsense would end, but no. I'm glad you don't delete these posts, allowing them to stand for the world to see how fraudulent and embarrassing this...

Nice views! You've done something I strive to see in candled views... imaged on all 3 axis. Impressive. This greatly assists the viewer determine the position, orientation and shape of the contrasted materials. I'm having difficulty envisioning any geometric or structural signatures from...

Agreed. The stippling does not support biological origin.

I have, but without much luck. Firstly, their fee is exorbitant. Secondly, the final bid may be a liability unless a minimum bid is applied. Lastly, whether they decide it's suitable or not as auctions tend to appear in themes. I don't normally comment on pricing because it's so subjective. No...

I wouldn't say you're confused. I'm inclined to think you're reasonably skeptical. I agree with both you and Jeremy that we'd expect a hint of "butter" and bright, glass-like lustre from gulf pearls, although some grades may appear golden or silver/gray, or even granular. Tiny (seed) pearls may...

Excellent! I would go as far to say this is likely a Green Abalone (Haliotis fulgens). It has the characteristic green overtone and finer growth fronts than other large abalone species. This furthers natural origin because green abalone are not typically used for aquaculture.

I have my doubts as to natural origin. They're too round, too uniform. Buttery, but that may be the light, but not platinum. Not gulf pearls. These strike me more as early biwa. Japan produced volumes of very fine tiny pearls for a time which accessorized akoyas quite nicely. At that price...