American Pearl Company of Tennessee

[pattye]

New & interesting article:

 

[JerseyPearl]

Thanks for posting...a very inspiring story.

 

[CathyKeshi]

Thank you, Pattye! I grew on my dad's stories of a little jar of tiny wild "clam" pearls he and his 3 brothers were collecting from the mountain streams in PA, to someday make a necklace for their mother. She died when my dad was only 4, and the pearls were lost in the mists of time ... but when hubby and I found ourselves within a few hours of the Tennessee River pearl farm on a road trip some years ago, we stopped to see the little museum etc. ... wonderful. No tour, although we did see the docks etc., and I bought a choker necklace of their own flat(ish) oblong white pearls ... the orient and luster is amazing

 

[Katbran]

Really interesting..that's a great site..I just spent 40 min watching the short videos ! lol

 

[pattye]

CathyKeshi, how wonderful you got to visit the American pearl farm! I'm jealous!! Have you ever put up a photo of your beautiful necklace? I love your story of the family pearls, too.

I did see some of the Latendresse's pearls at Tucson Gem Show 2008. Here is a link to another thread with some additional info and photos and comments about American Pearl.

Katbran, I did the same thing, watched the videos earlier this year! When anything about pearls comes into sight, I'm easily distracted~lol.

Thankful we have some info to share here.

 

[MSC]

Much like CathyKeshi, I found myself passing right by their location and had to stop in. Their museum was interesting and though I was the only person there, they played an informational movie for me. I purchased a strand of pearls and a mussel shell that sits on my desk. The location is really lovely too, tucked away in an area covered with forest. So nice to read a company like this is doing well!

 

[BlackPearlDudeDC]

Pattye- The American Pearl Company holds a special memory for me. When I was much younger, I sent away for a brochure from them. I had seen their Ad in the back of one of the Mineral magazines in my Elementary school's library. When it arrived I was amazed by all the shapes they were cultivating. It made me read up on pearls (the lack of info back then it amazes me even now), I saved the brochure in my secret stash, which was inside my Triple Yatzee box, that is were I kept all the gem brochures and jewelry promotions jewelers would give me when Mom took me to the mall. I came across that brochure a few years ago when I was cleaning out my storage unit. Along with some of the Gemstone information cards jewelers were handing out. I smiled thinking back on how long I've been a gem-head.

 

[pattye]

Aww, what delightful memories! You did get the bug early! My early days were before malls, lol, but shells and shiny rocks from CA beaches and later Lake Michigan shore were treasures.

 

[BlackPearlDudeDC]

Actually in another thread I mentioned my penchant for collecting shiny things as a child too my mom said I was fascinated by rocks especially colorful ones. So I guess most of us gem lovers probably started out that way right?

Aww, what delightful memories! You did get the bug early! My early days were before malls, lol, but shells and shiny rocks from CA beaches and later Lake Michigan shore were treasures.

 

[ckrickett]

Actually in another thread I mentioned my penchant for collecting shiny things as a child too my mom said I was fascinated by rocks especially colorful ones. So I guess most of us gem lovers probably started out that way right?

I know I started that way. I had minerals and I always loved going to those "mine your treasure" places where you would buy dirt and sift through it. I always found amethyst and rose quartz. I think that is why i love those stones so much now. Lucky me they are also very inexpensive!!!