Help - Need to know about caring for non nacerous natural pearls (melo,cassis,conch)

[joie]

hi there!!

we recently got some cassis and conch [non nacreous] pearls for the shop - and were wondering , if its possible for the cassis pearls to change color under the display case. Its not a hot display case as we're using LED lights. but the lights are perhaps 4-5 inches the pearls. As theres not too much info on natural pearls aftercare , would anyone be so kind as to share some of their thoughts?
we have a feeling that one of the cassis pearls color might have discolored...darker.but more uneven perhaps..
we've now added in a small glass of water in the showcase...which might help??

thank you!

 

[GemGeek]

Any prolonged exposure to strong light can fade non-nacreaous pearls. Better to put them in display cases that have good indirect natural light. I've seen them displayed in free-standing tall cases that have three sides of glass so that ambient light comes in from the front and sides. The glass of water probably won't make a difference, but all pearls like moisture, so it can't hurt.

Conch pearls are especially susceptible to fading. I haven't heard of cassis pearls getting darker - that's very curious. You are welcome to post photos to share your pearls with the forum. I'm sure others will join in with comments.

Welcome!

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

LED lighting usually isn't intense enough to cause fading without other factors. Some cloudy appearance will occur in any pearl over time, as aragonite reverts to calcite when the protienaceous layers become dried out.

It's more likely the pearl was treated with something that could have caused this effect.

 

[GemGeek]

Very interesting, Dave. I'd have a look with a loupe or a microscope to see if there appears to be anything on the surface. There could be traces of organic matter, but I'd expect that they would have been cleaned, and possibly polished. Cassis pearls normally have a glossy surface. People only tinker with the pearls if they think they can increase the value. Maybe a darker color would have increased the value. Or it could just be some natural phenomena. Definitely post a photo!

 

[joie]

hey guys!
thanks so much for the replies
im still very new to this forum so not sure why i didnt get any email notification to the replies
but here are some pics
i took the melo ones too but theyre not in my computer
if i get them later i will update
thanks lots for the help! i will check out the surface as well if there has been any further treatment on the surface

 

[joie]

its possible tht it was polished. so im not sure if the color did change abit :/

 

[joie]

some melo and a mix of cassis

 

[Caitlin]

What a pile of treasure you have there! I can't see whatever troubled you. I kind of doubt there has been any surface treatment, but that loupe idea would be fun and instructive.

 

[GemGeek]

Wow. They are very beautiful. There probably isn't anything to worry about.

 

[pattye]

What a beautiful collection~are you planning to use them in jewelry?

 

[CortezPearls]

Remember that the color in conch pearls (and other non-nacreous pearls too) is due to natural pigments of the Carotenoid family. These organic compounds are subject to deterioration, specially under sunlight (UV light is also a bleaching agent) but other strong lights may also damage them, as well as heat (avoid halogen lights).