Candled Natural Pearls

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Okay, this first pearl. The intensity of light is perfect. Despite some issues with critical focus, one view is suitable. I'm certain there is no bead. While the upper portion appears nicely rounded, I see no evidence of a bead on the opposite hemisphere. There is a marked flat spot, where at center of the X and Y axis appears to be an initiating event. While that event is close to the edge of the Z axis, it's acceptable, because that is nature of flat spots. They have no room to grow.

There are lines, blotches and other inclusions but most of them are independent of each other and appear within multiple concentric layers. To me, that precludes freshwater culture.

I'm confident this pearl may be natural in origin.



Now the other pearl. Obviously no bead present. We can safely rule out saltwater culture. Although out of focus, I see what appears to be a single event at the center and proteinaceous growth at equal depth just below the surface. Freshwater culture features. That leaves me inconclusive at this time, but this pearl merits more effort. Keep trying!

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

The images of the pendant present as metallic CFWP, but that's only at a glance, not based on anything I see within the pearl.

Again, critical focus and light saturation are issues. Keep trying, because I do see a glimmer of hope that this could be a natural from Unionidae.

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

And Sophie. Your pearl presents with multiple patches conchiolin within all concentric layers and on all axis, both conjoined and separate. While this occludes the initiating event, one image (albeit out of focus) depicts a dark mass at the center.

It appears natural in origin.

 

[FrenchPearl]

And Sophie. Your pearl presents with multiple patches conchiolin within all concentric layers and on all axis, both conjoined and separate. While this occludes the initiating event, one image (albeit out of focus) depicts a dark mass at the center.

It appears natural in origin.

Thanks you Dave, it's always so educative to read you. Really appreciating you taking the time.
I found this pearl very challenging to candle. If the hole (for light beam) was too small, no light was showing through the pearl at all. The only way was to saturate the pearl, and then it was challenging to take a picture that would not be blurry.
Did you find that some pearls species are more difficult to candle than other ? Or is it just those that have a lot of conchiolin layers unrelated to specie ?

The 2nd pearl, i could not candle... Completly opaque as if no light was going through at all..... Is it just the way it is for some pearl? Or does it tell us something about its composition ?

 

[Bodecia]

Thank you Dave, I do need to learn how to take better photos with my new camera. Did you have an opinion on the pearl set in ring? I have been thinking of removing it from the ring to get better photos. I know the photos are not great Also do you think the translucent photos might be because my photos are not in focus?

We sure keep you busy with our constant questions.

Dawn - Bodecia
http://www.ebay.com/sch/dawncee333/m.html
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 Natural pearl collector & seller. And all round pearl lover.

 

[Bodecia]

Hello Caitlin,

Thank you for your kind words. I too think my natural pearls are a very fair if not cheap price and I do totally stand behind them. No time limit on testing with a full guarantee. My customers that have bought them really love them.

You are so right that it is getting harder to find them. In part I think that so many PGers now collect natural pearls, so I have loads of competition if online I have been on contact with my special supplier and am hoping to buy some before long.

I will be working on some more necklaces, the double strand included, by Christmas. That will be my Xmas day, enjoying myself working with natural pearls.

I will do some more candling before too long. My eyes need a break

Dawn - Bodecia
http://www.ebay.com/sch/dawncee333/m.html
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 Natural pearl collector & seller. And all round pearl lover.

 

[MSC]

I would totally buy a strand from you if I could afford it, Dawn!

 

[FrenchPearl]

I'm also longing for one of your strand Dawn !

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Did you find that some pearls species are more difficult to candle than other ? Or is it just those that have a lot of conchiolin layers unrelated to specie ?

The 2nd pearl, i could not candle... Completly opaque as if no light was going through at all..... Is it just the way it is for some pearl? Or does it tell us something about its composition ?

Good questions!

High quality pearls are consisted of aragonite and conchiolin. Different pearls have different ratios. Earlier, we discussed higher ratios of conchiolin to aragonite in juvenile growth. Tahitian pearls have rich conchiolin and marked pigmentation and as such, very hard to candle. SS pearls are about the same, but with much less pigmentation and candled views have greater light passing. Most natural pearls are markedly translucent. The one enemy component of both natural and cultured pearls is calcite. Poorly formed cultured or over-mature naturals are plagued by it. As epithelial cells age or improperly develop, they lose the orthorhombic ordering of nacreous structuring and create more random, occluded structures. Aragonite in nature is translucent white or light brown, hence gold or white pearls. Deeper, darker colors come from pigments in conchiolin.

If nuclei are tinted or calcareous, there will be limitations to candling. Some naturals may be entirely opaque, but only rarely. The only conclusion I can draw from this pearl is... I can draw no conclusion. X-radiography is indicated in this case.

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Thank you Dave, I do need to learn how to take better photos with my new camera. Did you have an opinion on the pearl set in ring? I have been thinking of removing it from the ring to get better photos. I know the photos are not great Also do you think the translucent photos might be because my photos are not in focus?

We sure keep you busy with our constant questions.

I don't mind the questions. Every new pearl seen is a learning experience for me too.

I can't glean much from these images, but agree with your suggestion to remove the pearl for examination. Don't needlessly risk damaging the pearl or the setting for the sake of maybe though.

 

[Bodecia]

Thank you ladies. Nice to hear. I also can't afford one of my necklaces. Can't keep them but would love too. I just sold the most beautiful brooch I have ever had. Natural Arabian Gulf pearls, diamonds and 18kt gold. An antique piece in the original box. I had bought it for myself years ago. Never wore it and I know it is going to a lady for Christmas who will love it. Her husband bought it for her. He knew nothing about natural pearls but I think his wife will fall in love with it and maybe she will want more.

Once one sees natural pearls it is hard to be satisfied with anything else. Another lady from America emailed me last night saying her natural pearl necklace had arrived and she loves it. Not round or roundish pearls. Baroque similar to a necklace I have listed at the moment I love them. Probably more than rounds. I was offered a beautiful strand of baroques but just can't afford them at the moment.

I plan to make a torsade before long. The pearls are on the way to me but I also want to buy more colourful natural ones to go with the Gulf pearls. It will be a labour of love and roughly based on the Poe Pipi torsade. I want nothing but the best for it but then it is likely to be too expensive to sell. I am hopeless.

Oh, guess what. My other (hopefully working) microscope arrived today. I hope to set it up tomorrow and should soon have some decent close up candling photos. It will be a hot day to do such work though so I may not be able to work. Temps look like they will be 45deg C (that is 113deg F) out where we live. Today was murder (41deg C) but we had to go into town. I booked the kids (dogs) in to have a bath and groom last week as we knew it was going to be a stinker. No way I would let my babies suffer through that. Okay for us but not for them. You get what I mean. Then I had to rush Lily to the vets because she had an ear infection. Good thing I made that sale. My face was beetroot red due to the heat, no kidding.

Sorry to go off subject like that.

Dawn - Bodecia
http://www.ebay.com/sch/dawncee333/m.html
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 Natural pearl collector & seller. And all round pearl lover.

 

[Bodecia]

Thank you Dave, very good of you and you are so right the more we see and even better handle the more we learn. I just mentioned my other microscope arrived today and I am hoping if at all possible to get it working tomorrow. The heat might stop me though but it has been hotter so should live through it.

Will get better photos with it, I hope

Dawn - Bodecia
http://www.ebay.com/sch/dawncee333/m.html
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 Natural pearl collector & seller. And all round pearl lover.

 

[Bodecia]

If nuclei are tinted or calcareous, there will be limitations to candling. Some naturals may be entirely opaque, but only rarely. The only conclusion I can draw from this pearl is... I can draw no conclusion. X-radiography is indicated in this case.

Thanks once again Dave. I didn't spot this post earlier. The whole post is very informative. You know so much and are very generous with your knowledge. I don't know how we could get along without you.

Once again thank you so much.

Dawn - Bodecia
http://www.ebay.com/sch/dawncee333/m.html
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 Natural pearl collector & seller. And all round pearl lover.

 

[hbyrne]

This is such an exciting thread, with a wealth of information. Dawn, I second your comment...I've benefitted greatly from Daves explanations, which are so clearly expressed. I can't thank you enough!...all of you! I feel I'm actually beginning to be able to 'read' pearls a little

However, out of that 'exciting little box of old pearls' came some mysterious pearls...can anyone help with these? I'll put photos of the pearl and then the candled pic..

 

[hbyrne]

...candled pics of those last goldy ones..

 

[MSC]

I plan to make a torsade before long. The pearls are on the way to me but I also want to buy more colourful natural ones to go with the Gulf pearls. It will be a labour of love and roughly based on the Poe Pipi torsade. I want nothing but the best for it but then it is likely to be too expensive to sell. I am hopeless.

I for one cannot wait to see that beauty! You ought to try to sell through auction houses if it ends up being too expensive for ebay. I hope you little girl feels better too!

 

[Bodecia]

Andrea, when I get the bulk of the pearls I will start a thread on it. I have really put myself under pressure by mentioning it it had better be beautiful now. Thanks for the auction suggestion. Have to see how it turns out. I will have questions to ask all when I start on it. I think it will take a long time to do.

Lily is on antibiotics tablets and ear drops. I also had her vaccinated for all the usual illnesses.

Helen, great candling photos. Looking forward to what Dave says about them. Beautiful pearls. I wish someone would give me a box of old pearls

Dawn - Bodecia
http://www.ebay.com/sch/dawncee333/m.html
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 Natural pearl collector & seller. And all round pearl lover.

 

[Bodecia]

Helen, One of your photos looks like a double fried egg. It is amazing the way some pearls look. All so interesting.

Dawn - Bodecia
http://www.ebay.com/sch/dawncee333/m.html
eBay Seller ID dawncee333 Natural pearl collector & seller. And all round pearl lover.

 

[FrenchPearl]

So excited to have another set of pearls to look at !! thanks Helen for sharing your little box treasure !
Of course, as soon as I think I know more about pearls, I realize I know only about 1 pearl !! (mine)
So I can't tell much... of course I see "things" but is it the focus, the light reflection, a layer of conchiolin, the shadow of a bead ???
What would be helpful is to post 4 pics per pearl : 1 normal as reference, and 3 candling pics across 3 axis (back / front/ top for example) .

In any case, all have an awesome glow !

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Looking forward to what Dave says about them. Beautiful pearls.

They are beautiful.

I just got a call for an early handoff to Clayoquot Island. A three week expedition of just me and the mussels. Excited!!!

Once I get the place warmed up and things settled in, I'll post my thoughts on those latest views.

My microscope, candle platform and other tools are in the lab there already, so expect new images of yet to be discovered naturals.

By the way, I'm bringing the pearl drill and some gold along on this expedition. It's getting to be about that time, so expect a little gloating there too.