Gems & Gemology Online Download FREE, Winter Issue loaded with PEARLS!

[GemGeek]

Right now you can download the Winter issue of Gems & Gemology for FREE! And it's full of great pearl articles, even in the updates section.
Here is your chance to read one of the finest gemology journals, if not THE FINEST, free. And it appears that this will be ongoing. I pay a lot of money to subscribe, so trust me, it's worth it.

http://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

[Marianne]

Oh boy, oh boy, goodie, goodie and thank you! Can't wait for the week end and some reading time

 

[Amrita]

Thanks so much! That is GREAT!!

 

[Caitlin]

Indeed. That is the most I have learned on Maximas and gold dyes, yet!

 

[pattye]

Thanks so much, Blaire, great reading!

 

[dkan 168]

Thank you!!!

DK

 

[Cyril Roger Brossard]

I am curious about what the professionals here think about this, wouldn't it be difficult if not inaccurate to give an appreciation on the provenance of a pearl based on a picture... While most dyed pearls could be detected using magnification, the improvement in technology shows that the use of more sophisticated equipment may become a must to properly identify colored product.

 

[GemGeek]

Honestly, you can't reliably identify pearls from photos or even from seeing them in person. You might have a good idea, but it would be foolish to say they are x type of pearl because that is what they look like. That is why it is so important to purchase pearls from a trusted source. And with today's treatments, sometimes only the most expensive laboratory tests can tell the true condition or source.

I almost bought a SS pearl pendant at Paspaley in Darwin that looked exactly like a super-fine Akoya pearl. I finally chose another because I wanted it to look like a SS pearl.

 

[Cyril Roger Brossard]

Honestly, you can't reliably identify pearls from photos or even from seeing them in person. You might have a good idea, but it would be foolish to say they are x type of pearl because that is what they look like. That is why it is so important to purchase pearls from a trusted source. And with today's treatments, sometimes only the most expensive laboratory tests can tell the true condition or source.

I almost bought a SS pearl pendant at Paspaley in Darwin that looked exactly like a super-fine Akoya pearl. I finally chose another because I wanted it to look like a SS pearl.

thanks for the feedback.
what do you mean by 'that looked exactly like a super-fine Akoya pearl' are you referring here to the size of the pearl?

 

[GemGeek]

Sorry, I meant as a gemologist you can't sight-ID and be absolutely certain, because there are some pearls from different mollusks that can overlap in appearance. Sometimes a lab test is needed to be sure.

In answer to your question, the south sea pearl that looked like an akoya was about 8.5mm, translucent, and with an incredible mirror luster and orient. A remarkable pearl for either type, but especially rare for a ssp. If I was going to give an opinion on that pearl (not knowing its provenance), I would have said akoya and I would have been wrong wrong wrong. Pearls continue to amaze and humble me.