Can a mabe pearl be solid?

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Feb 26, 2023
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Are mabe pearl always hollow or can they be solid if the abalone is old enough?? I have a unique abalone pearl that I found. Someone must have cracked it open and discarded the shell as parts of it were broken off already. But the pearl appears to be solid and was carefully (and not too hard to) remove as it was slightly lifted off the base of the abalone as though it was detaching from it….not sure, but any info on this would be so appreciated! Thank you!!
 

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Are mabe pearl always hollow or can they be solid if the abalone is old enough?? I have a unique abalone pearl that I found. Someone must have cracked it open and discarded the shell as parts of it were broken off already. But the pearl appears to be solid and was carefully (and not too hard to) remove as it was slightly lifted off the base of the abalone as though it was detaching from it….not sure, but any info on this would be so appreciated! Thank you!!

These are certainly pearls stuck to other pearls. Only pearls stuck to the shell are described as mabes and usually exclusive to a cultural setting. Blister pearl is more common in natural settings. Instead these grow along the shell as opposed to to/from it. These were formed in a perforation of the pallial mantle. The thin membrane that builds the shell.

There is more going on here, though. This shell has suffered a blunt force. Image 3 clearly shows multiple small fragments concreted in an elegant nacreous matrix. Typically each fragment lined in black periostracial protein. Likewise, a complete circle of radiating growth fronts outward to the circumference. Very nice piece!

In Images 1 and 2 we see a large textured pearl attached to other pieces. Individually, nice pearls, but at some time in their life were erupted then become lodged within another space. The remaining images present holes where no holes ought to be. This also evidences predator attacks, likely other gastropods, namely predatory snails.

Broken parts does not detract from this specimen. Instead supports this creature endured and survived multiple environmental stresses.

Value-wise, we don't discuss dollars much here, because it's too subjective. It's definitely a lucky piece, after all who gets to say that? Scientific value some, though not a rare piece and something I observe in abalone and fossils often.

An interesting piece and I thank you for sharing it with us.
 
These are certainly pearls stuck to other pearls. Only pearls stuck to the shell are described as mabes and usually exclusive to a cultural setting. Blister pearl is more common in natural settings. Instead these grow along the shell as opposed to to/from it. These were formed in a perforation of the pallial mantle. The thin membrane that builds the shell.

There is more going on here, though. This shell has suffered a blunt force. Image 3 clearly shows multiple small fragments concreted in an elegant nacreous matrix. Typically each fragment lined in black periostracial protein. Likewise, a complete circle of radiating growth fronts outward to the circumference. Very nice piece!

In Images 1 and 2 we see a large textured pearl attached to other pieces. Individually, nice pearls, but at some time in their life were erupted then become lodged within another space. The remaining images present holes where no holes ought to be. This also evidences predator attacks, likely other gastropods, namely predatory snails.

Broken parts does not detract from this specimen. Instead supports this creature endured and survived multiple environmental stresses.

Value-wise, we don't discuss dollars much here, because it's too subjective. It's definitely a lucky piece, after all who gets to say that? Scientific value some, though not a rare piece and something I observe in abalone and fossils often.

An interesting piece and I thank you for sharing it with us.
Thank you so much for that information!!! Its much appreciated!! And yes this shell and others were tossed aside in a pile, many smashed open with blunt force. My only guess was that someone took more than the legal limit (based on how many there were) and quickly pulled the meat out leaving the shells in a pile. Very sad. But thank you for your knowledge. These beautiful creatures are absolutely fascinating!
 
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