Average size of South Sea pearl nuclei?

[pearlharbourer]

Hi there,

I'm new to this forum and decided to join after constant Google research kept on returning me here! I have a couple of South Sea pearl pendants, mainly drop shapes and one round. I bought them from reputable jewellery stores in person.

How do you know the size of the pearl nuclei and is this important? At their 'fattest' point, my pearls range from about 10.5mm to around 15mm.

Is it a case of the bigger the pearl, the bigger the nuclei? Or was the pearl kept inside the oyster for a longer time before harvest?

Also, after reading horror stories of hollow/watery pearls with nuclei at the bottom, which shattered, should I be worried about this? My pearls seem heavy enough and are nice teardrop shapes. I bought them already made in jewellery.

I look forward to your responses.

 

[pattye]

Welcome!

How great that you have some lovely SS pendants! Perhaps you've already seen this general info about SS pearls:

https://www.pearl-guide.com/south-sea-pearls.shtml

Based on this info, you shouldn't worry that the nacre is too thin. Generally speaking, yes, the bigger the nucleus, the bigger the pearl. Also, I've dropped lots of pearls, and never had one shatter; pearls are pretty tough!

We do have a few forum members who could speak to what size beads are used.

 

[R&B]

Gidday and welcome

South Sea Pearl Nuclei come in quite a range of sizes.

Mikey can explain that. The thickness variations of nacre are not only a result of the pearl remaining in the shell for a longer time.

Considder a family you know with four or five kids that have grown. The kids will be all different sizes and shapes even though they come from the same parents.

South Sea Pearls are just like that, every shell has different individual capabilities.

Each farmer has his or her sizes they start with.

Say you start with a nuclei of 8mm in a virgin shell. When harvested two years later the pearl should be 2 to 3 mm bigger. If it's a healthy pearl it will be replaced with a nuclei the same size as the pearl and the two years later 2 to 3 mm bigger again.

At best we get four pearls in the life of a South Sea Pearl Shell (Pinctada Maxima). If we get a forth pearl, its not usually a gem grade and more likely a lower grade as Pearl Shell like us humans do deteriorate with age.

What I've explained is the basic op's for South Sea Pearl Farming.

Bron and I are actually useing three year cycles. Stay tuned for results but don't wait up at night for them. This Gig takes time and we are both deteriorating.

Once again, welcome to the slow world of pearl growing.

 

[Alex]

That has cheered me up Rusty - I had always assumed that when a pearl was harvested from an oyster, that was the end of the line for the poor old oyster

is the 'cycle' you described used for other types of pearl oyster, or just South Sea ones ?

PS do you have 'retirement nets' for old oysters ? (just kidding)

 

[Mikeyy]

Hi Pearlharbourer,

It is really hard to tell you the size of the nucleus. You could get an xray or try the laser light trick. I think Rusty had as good an answer as you can expect. Generally, the larger the nucleus the larger the pearl. However, some oyster are more generous then others when laying down nacre, so there are no hard and fast answers. Like people, some are more tickled about their jobs then others. Some oysters are bored with the entire prospect. They don't really care much and will even reject the nuclei. Bad attitude. While others are so excited about the idea of making you a pearl they over do it and go all baroque. Others just spin the nuclei around for fun creating a circled pearl. I think it mostly depends on their mood and individual work ethic. (years of scientific research revealed here) I don't think I would worry too much about having a hollow SS pearl. Given the size and shape you describe they must have been very artistic oysters. Lucky you!

 

[KarinK]

LOL! I love your description, Mikeyy!

- Karin

 

[Adeline Leigh]

I seond that! Mikeyy and Rusty, THANK YOU for making it really easy reading for us the layman. Love the analogies.

 

[R&B]

Gidday All

Alex, I'll let others speak for their respective industries. Shell retirement for us when harvesting means, if a bad pearl comes out and the inner shell appears "clean", they are used for mabe.

Bron and I only reseed a shell if a quality pearl comes out. The retired shell that are not up to useing for mabe are cleaned up and sold to povo tourist's that cannot afford a South Sea Pearl.

Back to you Pearlharbourer, South Sea Pearls are actually soft. You can drop them but stick to useing tennis balls when outside playing.

Roll your pearls around slowly in your hand one at a time, if there are no colour changes then you have a good coating of nacre.

Now that you are filled with this wonderful info, go buy some more, please.

 

[pattye]

Rusty and Mikeyy,

Thank you both, priceless information, and to echo Adeline, LOVE the analogies!

 

[pearlescence]

Mikkeyy..maybe pearl farmers should plan some sort of in house entertainment for the oysters - farmers play music to their cows after all. Perhaps you pearl farmers could experiment - a red nose and undersea juggling next time you are around a certain set of nets (you would have to keep careful records of which were entertained how)

 

[Caitlin]

Hi Mikey
I love to talk about oysters as though they were little critters, and they do provide their own entertainment- because they all "sing" together in a choir! But maybe they would like a soloist, once in a while, to teach them new tunes. The jugglers might do the trick, too, that is, inspire creativity.

 

[pattye]

Hey, Mikeyy is a musician, too~~~~

 

[Caitlin]

He told me he doesn't sing. But maybe he will make an exception for the next oyster bed he meets?

 

[pearlharbourer]

Thanks everybody for your responses, and to R&B and Mikeyy for their human analogies!

R&B, when you talk about rolling a pearl around to check for no colour changes, meaning a good amount of nacre, do you mean I need to look for changes in the surface colour of the pearl? What is the difference between this and a pearl's overtone?

 

[Caitlin]

Pearlharbourer, I just had to comment on your name. I chuckled a couple of times. That describes a lot of us!! Welcome!

 

[R&B]

Gidday Pearlharbourer

You pointed out one of your pearls was a tear drop.

Put it in the palm of your hand. Look closely at the pointier end as you slowly turn it.

As you turn, focus on the middle pointier bit. Don't look at the edges as they will change as they reflect your skin.

Once you have focused on the nacre and colour, start to move down to the boulbus end doing the same inspection until you have finnished at the bottom.

All nuclei in South Sea Pearls are round, with a teardrop shape the nuclei will be in the boulbus section.

If you find an area that differs in colour, it's pretty likely a thin area of nacre.

Two things I personally recommend when buying pearls.

1: Roll them in your hand to SEE them. If the vendor won't let you touch it, walk out.

2: Understand that if the pearl you are buying is already mounted as jewellery, you will never know if it was a gem grade or not. Jewellers love to buy B grades, cover the flaws with a mount and sell them as Gem grade.

If you are buying over the internet, do back ground checks on the seller.

I hope that explains it. Have a nice day.

 

[KarinK]

That is great information, Rusty. Thank you!

- Karin

 

[Katbran]

This has been really entertaining and informative..great combination I do have a question about SS pearls , when you buy them from a wholesaler...should they provide a certificate that says country of origin? I'm about to order a strand and wondered what they should provide as I've never bought them before...this info has been great...but I'm buying from a photo (posted those in another thread..still working on the strand..)

Are SS pearls produced in China? I have looked in forums for more info on this but can't find it .

 

[Adeline Leigh]

Rusty and experts,

Should we worry if for a SSP, teardrop shape, the nuclei will in the boulbus section differs in colour? You did say before that "it's a pretty likely thin area of nacre".
What does this mean in terms of longevity of the pearl? Should we set and encase the thin area of nacre or if it is left to face the elements of normal wear, will it flake or crack?

 

[R&B]

Thanks Karin,

Katbran, The real problem you are faced with unless you buy direct from the farmer is Who knows where they came from?

There are honourable people out there, but a certificate really is just a piece of paper.

You would be stunned if you saw the numbers that go through the auctions or whole saleing.

You could ask the vendor which farm they came from then make a call to the farm to find out if that's the case. Mind you most farms are big companies and they may not be bothered with your call.

It also depends on the wholesalers position in the after farm chain. That in itself can be quite an intriguing situation.

Realistically though, if you realy like the strand you've seen and the price is right, go for it.

If you want to know where the pearls come from and enjoy a serious persuit, go to the farm of your choice. (ask them first of course).

I should point out Katbran, You are buying a strand of South Sea Pearls. Check their refund policies in case after the pic, the pearls are not right for you.