Betel Nut Juice

[Pearl Dreams]

Greene Planet-- the "bad guy"'s organization in Quantum of Solace.

 

[jas932]

Actually Jeremy, he does deal in pearls. And has for 15 years. GIA grad, background in minerology and geology. I hear him talk about pearls, and my baloney meter starts to ring!

I design and create and exhibit at art shows in the south east, specializing in pearls, have for 9 years, that's how I know him.

Anyway, thanks for helping to debunk that myth.

Julie.

 

[jshepherd]

That is scary. Do you think he really believes that stuff?

With a background in mineralogy and and geology, he may appreciate this passage from Hubert Bari's book, The Pink Pearl.

If the Tahitian pearl is black, this is due to the fact that the Pinctada margaritifera, the black-lip pearl oyster, has black mother-of-pearl. The black body of the pearl may be suffused with overtones, such as green, peacock, or aubergine. These are caused by mineral salts dissolved in the seawater of French Polynesia lagoons encircled by the remains of ancient volcanoes.

...that, and the constant spitting of betel nut juice into the lagoons by the inhabitants of the atolls.

Ok, ok...I made that last part up.

 

[jas932]

That's funny! Thanks for the laugh.

Yes, he definately believes what he says. Fortunately for the consumer, he only works with very inexpensive CFW's. Unfortunately for me, he told that story while in my booth, while I was showing some gorgeous and colorful T. Blacks to customers.

I had to clean up the mess after he left. I only run into him a couple times a year.

Thanks again.
Julie.

 

[Sueki]

Yes, he definately believes what he says. Fortunately for the consumer, he only works with very inexpensive CFW's. Unfortunately for me, he told that story while in my booth, while I was showing some gorgeous and colorful T. Blacks to customers.

I had to clean up the mess after he left. I only run into him a couple times a year.

Thanks again.
Julie.

Hmmm,
One wonders why he tells that story to your customers in your booth.....

 

[pattye]

Geez, that is pretty frustrating, worse than an urban myth, no wonder the customers are confused!

 

[Amrita]

That is the strangest thing I have ever heard!!
Either he must have heard it somewhere or is making it up....if it is the latter, then I must say he seems to have the makings of a fiction story writer!!
It is indeed curious why he would tell that story in your booth...

 

[effisk]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. You have confirmed my suspicions. This story is fiction.

The only reference I can find to betel nut juice staining Tahitian pearls is in a story written by Louis Beck. A fictional story.

Additionally, I cannot find a single article about a Tiffany lawsuit.

The colleague I have referred to states that the pearl harvesters chew the nut (plausible) and store the pearls in their mouths (highly doubtful - ick!) while harvesting. That's how the pearls get stained by the nut juice.

Lauren, you stated it perfectly about the 'flat' look of dyed pearls.

Slraep, I'm going to now look up Zeide Erskine.

Thanks!
Julie.

There's no betel nuts in Tahiti, let alone in the Tuamotu...

 

[Sueki]

Oh, yes, it all becomes clear now.
Those chocolate Tahitians - so this is how it's done......

Next time a pearl farmer asks for some chocolate, don't you believe that it's because he loves the taste....
(Apology to la_corsetiere for snagging her photo.)

 

[Slraep]

There's no betel nuts in Tahiti, let alone in the Tuamotu...

Good point.

Slraep

 

[effisk]

Good point.

Slraep

We should have started the discussion with this but I chimed in too late.

Sueki's last post may however make me revise my judgment unless Josh has a good explanation.