Collection of natural pearls

[edrodrivaz]

Hi all.

My collection of natural pearls.

Regards

Edgar R

 

[Caitlin]

So good to see you back. Those pearls are not your usual fare. Would you mind naming them and adding more photos if you are inclined....

 

[edrodrivaz]

Hi Caitlin

first pearl is. ( Spondylus calcifer)
second and third and fourth pearl are. Spiny oysters (Spondylus)
fifth pearl is clam (pismo)
sixth and seventh pearl (Lion's Paw)

 

[Caitlin]

What sizes are they? The spondylus calcifer looks huge. It is an operculum, correct? As is the 3rd pearl?

 

[edrodrivaz]

Measurements and weight of the pearl of Spondylus. Not is operculum, It is an pearl. (19.04 x 13.54 - 6.3g - 31.5ct)

 

[GemGeek]

That is one unusual pearl!

 

[pattye]

Edgar, Amazing pearls, great photos! Appreciate all you can tell us about them~

 

[DaveTT]

Very interesting Pearls

 

[pattye]

It looks like some sort of berry flan (dessert, yummy)

 

[edrodrivaz]

Hi Pattye

This collection of natural pearls are (Scallop) They were found in Baja California (Pacific Ocean) By fishermen in the area,With permit of fishing from the Mexican Government.
Photo of second pearl (Spiny oyster)

 

[GemGeek]

WOWZA! That chatoyancy was a surprise. Thanks.

 

[juliebeth]

GREAT shots of beautiful pearls! you captured the flames (er, what i'm calling what GG calls chatoyancy, i'm probably not correct) so well, love the pics!

The first pearl - is that yellow part also flamey/chatoyant? or is that a trick of the camera? so cool, either way!

 

[edrodrivaz]

Hi juliebeth

Is not no trick of the camera. Are pearls that have their own (flames or fire)

 

[Tumutoa Berg]

Beautiful and very special pearls..

 

[Amrita]

The flames are amazing - almost like a burner…!!

 

[edrodrivaz]

Hi All

I want to share this article of GIA.
Of pearls Spondylus.

http://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/summer-2014-labnotes-natural-pearls-spondylus-species

 

[GemGeek]

Thanks. I loved the photographs.

 

[Caitlin]

Hi Ed
Thank you so much for your continued posting of natural pearls. Your non-nacreous collection is a fantastic education for us all. I was stunned by the blue chatoyance in particular.

I have some old beads made from the spines of the spondylus shells. Such beads have been made along the Pacific coast of South America since long before the Conquest. I have both purple and orange beads though I always liked the purple better. Now, to see what beautiful pearls this oyster can have, I am enchanted all over again.

Below are two photos of handmade purple spondylus shell beads -one showing the hand made variations in the beads, one made into a necklace.

 

[Marianne]

Caitlin, those beads are beautiful and very special! Thanks for sharing.

 

[pattye]

Thank you for the most interesting discussion, Ed and Caitlin. One can still find the spiney oyster shell beads now and then, but most likely they are machine made beads and not nearly as interesting as the handmade vintage ones.