Help me id this chunk of abalone

[Caitlin]

Is it a blister pearl?

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Yes. It looks a little too natural for a mabe.

 

[Caitlin]

2 more photos

 

[pattye]

That's cool! Looks like a blister to me, too.

 

[Caitlin]

I decided to risk some money. I sent the seller an offer. I think I will have to get it out of the setting to see what it really is. It is too funky to be cultured by someone like Roger. It is either a piece of ab shell, or a blister.

 

[Adeline Leigh]

your blister pearl has a cool mauve colour rather different from mine. cant wait to compare, online, that is good luck with yours.

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

It is either a piece of ab shell, or a blister.

Here are images of both sides of natural abalone blisters from my collection. The shape and color of your find is nearly identical and very typical of abalone blisters.

 

[CLICLASP]

Lovely find Caitlin, can't wait see it unmounted to learn about

 

[Caitlin]

I am such an abalone nut; it really is kind of grungy. Only an abalone nut would claim that one. Any ideas on how to clean it?

 

[pattye]

My go-to for pearly washing is Dr. Bonner's unscented baby-mild pure-castile soap. It's a liquid. Fair trade, too.

 

[Caitlin]

Mine too. But I think that protenaceous gunk, might need more.

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Mine too. But I think that protenaceous gunk, might need more.

Might be able to peel a layer.

It has character, though. Other than cleaning the silver I'd just leave it as it is.

 

[Bodecia]

Hi Caitlin,

Great find!! I would go for a salt sludge bath and a soft tooth brush. I swear by salt sludge baths. I cleaned my Abalone Pearl with it.

Let us know when you get it and do post some photos, before and after.

Dawn - Bodecia
http://stores.ebay.com/Dawns-Designer-Collections
Natural pearl collector and all round pearl lover

 

[Adeline Leigh]

Here are images of both sides of natural abalone blisters from my collection. The shape and color of your find is nearly identical and very typical of abalone blisters.

I am very intrigued by the underside of your blister pearl, it's riddled with the parasites that contribute to the blister pearl, is it not? Bumpy, too? Had to ask as my blister pearls are all backed with shell material so I have never seen anything like this. Thanks!

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

it's riddled with the parasites that contribute to the blister pearl, is it not?

Certainly in this case with two larger borers, even though there were hundreds, perhaps thousands of smaller ones that didn't.

 

[Adeline Leigh]

Nature's amazing; from such ghoulishness can a thing of beauty emerge.

 

[Caitlin]

Hi
I got it. I soaked it in plain water and it came absolutely clean! I poked it into my purse- on the front. This week is too busy to focus on it. Catch it later!

 

[Adeline Leigh]

Antique vintage art nouveau abalone pearl ring

Antique vintage art nouveau abalone pearl ring

Calling all abalone experts; my antique abalone (?) ring I bought off ebay is finally here.
From my pictures, can anyone tell if it is:
(1) of abalone origin,
(2) a natural abalone blister pearl, or
(3) a natural abalone pearl?

I'm delighted with it and its strange flourescent iridiscence, apart from the fact it's so tiny (size 3), it fits only on my little girl's finger. The seller claims it is an antique 1890s to 1920s art nouveau gold ring acquired from the estate of an 82-year old widow. She was married to a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and travelled extensively throughout her life.

The pearl in question is 14mm in length and greenish-pinkish-gold in colour. It is shaped like Ayers Rock with a flat plateau-like dome and measures 6mm in height. I've taken a couple of pictures of the ring with a haliotis rufescens shell (Californian red abalone) and can't help wondering if the pearl is of the same material.

 

[pearlescence]

I have absolutely no idea what sort of pearl that is, but it is certainly a remarkable unusual and lovely ring.

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Calling all abalone experts; my antique abalone (?) ring I bought off ebay is finally here.
From my pictures, can anyone tell if it is:
(1) of abalone origin,
(2) a natural abalone blister pearl, or
(3) a natural abalone pearl?.

It looks like abalone alright. Abalone blisters are quite common, but are usually flatter than this piece. That's not to suggest it's not a blister, but it might be a conjunction. A conjunction is a pearl that became fused to the shell. I'd have to see an image of the back of the pearl to be certain though.

Not to be outdone, the three off round white pearls are quite nice too.