Candled Natural Pearls

[pearl-man]

Clever I will lhave to try that on the American natural pearls I have.
P-M

 

[Jasonaldean]

This is such an amazing pictures.

 

[massrog]

Hello, I am new to the forum and to pearls as well. I have purchased some pearls for my wife in the past but never thought to research them before. We just got the pictured necklace and as I have started researching other gems I looked online and found this thread. I was amazed by the amount I've learned just in this one thread! I have however found another hobby... trying to effectively candle pearls and photograph them.
These were sold as 12-14mm "South Sea Pearls" I have no reason to doubt the seller and hope I was able to confirm as well as possible with this technique. Please make suggestions as to better setup etc. The basics are cell phone flashlight, cardboard with holepunch hole, putty, Canon Rebel camera.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Do I understand you to mean that you were trying to use candling to confirm that the pearls are SSP? If so, candling cannot confirm that, as SSP are not the only large white pearls with a bead nucleus. Freshwater pearls are now being farmed with a bead nucleus also.

 

[massrog]

Do I understand you to mean that you were trying to use candling to confirm that the pearls are SSP? If so, candling cannot confirm that, as SSP are not the only large white pearls with a bead nucleus. Freshwater pearls are now being farmed with a bead nucleus also.

I was really referring to imaging the bead/halo and was curious if I captured it properly. For some reason I find this thread fascinating and I have been experimenting (very hit and miss) with imaging other gems and my watches as a hobby so I thought I'd try my hand. Any suggestions on photography or further ways to confirm pearl type are very welcome!

 

[CortezPearls]

Giving this thread a bump! I'm in the process of taking photos of "candling" with a few thin-nacred pearls I have. I want to be able to show the "blinking effect", when you see the MOP bead under the thin nacre. Similar setup as Dave used, but I just sit the pearl on top of a cellphone's LED light.
So far, mixed results...let me share a few photos.

So, that is the setup...let me show you some pics taken using a camera and the microscope:


So far, very good to expose sub-surface defects, but more difficult to examine the bead's "banding" or "blinking".
Will change lenses on the camera today.

Any suggestions...GREATLY WELCOMED!

 

[pattye]

I have seen "Blinking" in a strands of low quality Akoya as they are slowly rolled on a flat surface in strong light. This effect can be seen with the naked eye.

 

[CortezPearls]

Exactly Pattye...our eyes are much better than a camera at detecting this, the trick is to find a way to shoot a photo or video where the camera actually detects this, so we can record it and then we can use it to explain this to students.
What do you think of this one? Do you think it works to explain it?

 

[pattye]

Yes, Douglas, this is pretty good! In fact, the rolling technique is helpful in evaluating characteristics of a temporary strand or finished necklace.

 

[BWeaves]

Blinking really needs to be seen in a video as it's more of a motion thing. But that last photo definitely shows the bands through the nacre.

 

[CortezPearls]

I know...it is something that is quite "dynamic", but the video just doesn't show more than a blur
I don't know if the phone's and camera's software is just not made to shoot this effect. I had similar problems shooting video of the fluorescence effect., which is nicer to see in video.

 

[parfaitelumiere]

use black wax, or like I made, a silicone piece with a hole, very useful to make candling, you avoid the strong light in the face (and camera and all goes inside the pearl, also, the pearl is held in place, so you can put exactly the way you want.

 

[CortezPearls]

Thank you! Great idea...will try it tomorrow and I'm also getting a new Macro lens, might help out.

 

[parfaitelumiere]

yeah, I am waiting for house to be sold and upgrade my photography stuff, buying a new Eos R5 and a specific lens, lots of money, but it will be worth the price.
I will sell my actual macro lens, very good, but I want to buy something more magnifying, so this one will be sold.

 

[pearl-man]

I've got and older EROs I'd let go for 50.00 + shipping...I haven't looked at it lately but I know it works. Or bribe me and just pay the shipping.

pearlman

 

[CortezPearls]

Thank you PearlMan
I got a brand new Canon EOS last february, but had waited to splurge on the Macro lens...will be coming this week, then it's the matter of learning how to take the photos. I think I've been spoiled by the easiness of the smartphone camera system, but no matter what top-o'-the-line phone you own...a real camera's lens cannot be beat. Or so I figure

 

[parfaitelumiere]

what canon do you have, my macro lens is for canon mount, if you are interested, I can let it go as I plan to buy new camera, but different mount.
send pm if you want.
Yes, phones are not cameras, I made picture attempt, using my avatar clasp.
Phone is impresionism, camera is hyperrealism

 

[MSC]

what canon do you have, my macro lens is for canon mount, if you are interested, I can let it go as I plan to buy new camera, but different mount.
send pm if you want.
Yes, phones are not cameras, I made picture attempt, using my avatar clasp.
Phone is impresionism, camera is hyperrealism

I desperately need a canon macro lens!

 

[CortezPearls]

what canon do you have, my macro lens is for canon mount, if you are interested, I can let it go as I plan to buy new camera, but different mount.
send pm if you want.
Yes, phones are not cameras, I made picture attempt, using my avatar clasp.
Phone is impresionism, camera is hyperrealism

Great way to explain the difference
I purchased a low entry level Canon Rebel EOS T100. It works fine for my needs...but it just feels clunky and huge next to my smartphone.

 

[CortezPearls]

I candled a couple of pearls. Naturals of course!
Interesting details...

This one is one of my small pink conch pearls from the Caribbean's "Queen Conch" or Lobatus gigas (yes, they changed the genus name recently, from Strombus...in 10 more years someone will decide it was best to change it back).