Is it possible to polish a conch pearl to remove discoloration? If so does anyone have a referral for a jeweler who can do so? Also any recommendations for a jeweler who has done nice work with conch pearls? I have just bought some and would like to make a nice pendant.
Conch Pearl Discoloration
- Thread starter Rachfrog
- Start date
Pearl Dreams
Pearl Enthusiast
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2007
- Messages
- 9,719
I don't know the answer, but I just scoured my copy of the book, The Pink Pearl, to see if there were any references to treatments. I didn't find anything about treatments but I did find this:
"Some of the non-pink colours, such as 'golden' orange-yellow, 'milk chocolate' brown and pure white are very rarely found unblemished, but when they are, they can be true collector's items, fetching high prices."
(p. 65)
Opposite that page, on p. 64, is a color plate showing an assortment of pearls; lots of them had spots or other variability in color.
Personally I would not try to remove what you are calling discoloration....
"Some of the non-pink colours, such as 'golden' orange-yellow, 'milk chocolate' brown and pure white are very rarely found unblemished, but when they are, they can be true collector's items, fetching high prices."
(p. 65)
Opposite that page, on p. 64, is a color plate showing an assortment of pearls; lots of them had spots or other variability in color.
Personally I would not try to remove what you are calling discoloration....
Thanks,
Yeah - i'm not sure what to do - possibly just try to orient it in the jewelry so the discoloration can't be seen...The guy who I bought the pearl from seemed to think a qualified jeweler with experience in conch pearls would know how to remove the blemishes...
I've been looking for that book everywhere!!! It's out of print and they want like $600 for it on amazon which is nuts...I have to try and find a copy somewhere even though i can't find it online...Thanks for your input though especially from that book!
Yeah - i'm not sure what to do - possibly just try to orient it in the jewelry so the discoloration can't be seen...The guy who I bought the pearl from seemed to think a qualified jeweler with experience in conch pearls would know how to remove the blemishes...
I've been looking for that book everywhere!!! It's out of print and they want like $600 for it on amazon which is nuts...I have to try and find a copy somewhere even though i can't find it online...Thanks for your input though especially from that book!
pattye
Pearl Scholar
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2005
- Messages
- 11,465
It will not be easy finding a jeweler experienced with conch pearls, with the high value they have, setting the pearl with the discoloration hidden seems the best option to me.
I don't know where you are, but Sarah at Kojima works with setting rare pearls. She is in the Bay area. Here's her website: http://www.kojimapearl.com/
It's not this exact pearl, but it's very similar...it just has spots where it's not pink and I was wondering if that can be removed...like buffed out. The one I purchased from a person in florida that had a large collection, it's en route to me so I don't have any photos yet...Any extra help knowledge will be appreciated. I will definitely look into the jeweler mentioned above.
Any removal in this case will make it so you have to label the pearl as "worked" since it will alter the shape. There is also a good chance that as you polish it, you may reveal more of what I think might be concholin. I would leave it as is.
Similar threads
