Blue Mussel - Blue Pearl

[Valeria101]

I cannot vouch for the color beyond what the picture shows and the common knowledge that these mussels really do have very blue nacre sometimes. Much as I know (not much) the species can produce both dull and iridescent pearls. Not sure if there is some chemical difference (i.e. nacreous an non) or just structural...

If you might remember, a much smaller, light blue, porcelain-like pearl from the same species, collected on the other side of the Atlantic was posted here a while back. (LINK to thread about blue mussel pearls from Nova Scotia)


LINK to Source at Conchology.be

5.8mm (!) Mytilus Edulis pearl

Did you know such sapphire blue pearls exist at all ? If nacreous, quite a sight... if not, quite the pair for a little conch, I'd say



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[pattye]

Very interesting, but not really a rival for Douglas' Sea of Cortez blue pearls!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

 

[Valeria101]

Hm... wish this one had the nice surface of those cultured Tahitian and Mexican blues, and those would have the intense blue body color of this! Now that's a thought Who knows... maybe there is some species of mollusk capable of that trick.

The idea to compare both current options in person is darn tempting, ready to admit that bit!


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[Nerida]

Ana these photos almost look like some of Boo's astrology photos, don't you think? Such intensity of colour!

 

[Valeria101]

Ya! The photo might be a bit much... But I did eat a few (out of thousands ?) of those mussels with pretty darn blue nacre - if not all, at least a wide 'lip' of nearly lapis-like blue. Always thought that a pearl originating from the corresponding mantle tissue is a miracle waiting to happen.

Well, this is a rather blemished miracle, but... it is sold in a curio shell shop after all. And not for much either.

If the pearl itself is not that perfect, at least it demonstrates a very pleasant possibility...


Disclaimer: I'm talking about a single, cheap blue pearl here, NOT red ones. Not even mine. No connection, Whatsoever. I'm not going to turn up with a perfect strand of solid sapphire-blue pearls from the Sea of Tranquility or something [just joking - red pearl/blue pearl, the fit sounds too good to let go!]

 

[pierrettedE]

hmm,... I'd need a few more pictures I think. There is a lot of lighting there... Very bright. From the side view I think it might still be that shiny "porcelain" -like surface... just guessing... very nice blue indeed!

 

[Caitlin]

these photos almost look like some of Boo's astrology photos, don't you think?

HuH? Clue me in. Everything faboo Boo does is so wonderful.

 

[Nerida]

Oh Caitlin, I'm so bad at finding things in old threads. Just remember seeing some amazing astrological pics linked into a few posts of Boo's - maybe under the old "Iridescence" thread - you know, the one where everyone went pirate-speak crazy? So maybe around Aug/Sept 2007? Having spent my childhood wanting to be an astronaut (I was a primary (elementary) school at the time of the moon landings...) those pictures enchanted me. I think this blue pearl looks like a planet..

 

[barbie biggs]

Looks like a planet? That's nice.
Anna:
Aside from the all too obvious, what would be wrong with a sapphire blue strand? But seriously, can they be drilled? I'd hate to ruin one finding out.
barbie

 

[Valeria101]

Nothing wrong with a blue strand... in that post above I was trying a bit of (Z) fun; after all, a blue pearl is almost as improbable as you-know-which red ones

Can't possibly know if these pearls are drill-able and how: sounds like expertise in catching dragons would be easier to come by then experience drill such unusual pearls.

'Guess we both know that there are lots of rumors (and evidence of cracked pearls!) that non-nacreous pearls are not easy to drill, yet most of them get drilled for use in jewelry. My guess is that they simply are more of a pain and get the folks used to drill 'normal' pearls out of their comfort zone. But, what do I know...