A Question about Tahitian/South Sea Blemishes

[GemGeek]

I know that the "cupping" looks artificial, but it most probably is natural. I've seen both many times. Pearls do get buffed and "worked" if the producer thinks they can be improved, but usually that hazy look doesn't polish off. I've tried to improve that hazy look on freshwaters by buffing, but it remained even when the pearl started peeling to a new layer. I don't know that the "cupping" look is only on SSPs, but I can't think of any freshwaters I've seen like that. Then again, my memory hasn't been the greatest lately.

 

[DerekJ]

To me the corrosive liquid is probably not the answer in this case. Because when you flip the pearl, the situation reverses. One side of the pearl is always hazy and the other appears untouched. The 1st photo and the 3 photo I flipped the pearl. The half that was hazy in the first photo is the half that is bright in the second photo.

Blaire, does the pearl in the second photo look like it has been "worked"?

Thanks for the input and responses from everyone.

 

[lisa c]

So, you just answered the "worked or not" question about the pearl, Derek!! Wonderful! You showed that it's an optical effect, not a surface-working effect. Marvelous!

Now we need more people to weigh in about whether they've seen this effect in CFW pearls.

 

[GemGeek]

Pearls like the one in the second photo just happen. You have to look with a loupe for scraping to really see if it is worked. Teeny scratches are not unusual on SSPs as most of them get a polish in chips. The thing that is amazing about South Sea pearls is how many of them come out of the shell in perfect condition, especially with an operation like Paspaley. I've bumped my photos from the Paspaley part of the GIA tour, so Derek, be sure to look through them.

 

[Amrita]

Sorry, I somehow missed this thread before this. Really interesting. Can't say that I have seen this kind of cupping effect in the CFW pearls that have passed before my eyes so far....

 

[lisa c]

Thanks for weighing in, Amrita! Weren't Derek's pictures wonderful?!? They captured the line of demarcation between 'hazy' and 'high' luster beautifully.