How rare is translucency in pearls

[Richard W. Wise]

?This prince possesses the most beautiful pearl in the world, not by reason of its size, for it only weighs 12 1/16 carats, nor on account of its perfect roundness; but because it is so clear and transparent that you can almost see the light through it.?

Jean Baptiste Tavernier, 1675

Working on a 2nd edition of my Secrets Of The Gem Trade and adding a chapter on natural pearls. As we see above, the 17th Century dealer Tavernier notes that translucency is an attribute of the finest pearls. Anyone have an image? How rare is this quality?

 

[KAC]

Hey Richard,

You might want to get in touch with the french guy that runs Croissy Pearls. He deals in natural pearls and recently posted some partially translucent pearls to his facebook page .


https://www.facebook.com/perlesfine...10167219807.1073741880.100002024909350&type=1

 

[Richard W. Wise]

Another point,

Given that keshi pearls have no nucleus why don't the exhibit a degree of translucency or have I missed something?

 

[Marianne]

Hi Richard,
You might check with Dave ( http://www.lagoonislandpearls.ca/). I think some of his beautiful green naturals exhibit a large degree of translucency.
Looking forward seeing what you find.

 

[Richard W. Wise]

Yes, I am corresponding with Dave and it has been enlightening. My question, however, centers on natural Persian Gulf and radiata from the Gulf of Maanar pearls along with imbricata pearls from Cubaga/Margarita that Tavernier would have seen and worked with.
I love pursuing questions like this they lead in so many interesting directions.

RWW

 

[KAC]

Hey Richard,

I'm not sure the species, you'd have to contact the guy on facebook and see if he can provide more details. I also can't comment on rarity or value, it's not something we ever see when dealing with cultured pearls, keshi included.

Very interesting though, please update the thread as you find more information...

 

[MSC]

Pretty sure Laurent said that was a pipi pearl (Pinctada maculata), but maybe he'll see this thread and weigh in.

 

[loloperle]

 

[Richard W. Wise]

Great shots, do you have one of one of those white pearls that shows the effect?

 

[Caitlin]

There are some pearls in Tom Stern's Pearls thread which are partially translucent. The translucent parts of the pearls felt like and looked like a semi transparent stone. They were photoed by me on a red background which helps one see the transparency.

 

[Caitlin]

Here are some examples. I photographed them especially because they were partially transparent. Back then, I thought this trait was called "water".

 

[KAC]

Here are some examples. I photographed them especially because they were partially transparent. Back then, I thought this trait was called "water".

hmm, I always thought the term "water" was used to describe the type of luster that appears from within the pearl, like there is a layer of water over it. We see it a lot in metallic FW pearls, where it's not just shiny but looks like there is metal within the pearl.

 

[Richard W. Wise]

Water is defined in the GIA dictionary as the combination of color and transparency in gems. Writers have used it in that sense and some have added clarity to the mix as well. Tavernier seems to have used it in the first sense and I used it to create my 4Cs of Connoisseurship which deletes Carat since it is a measure of quantity not quality and substitutes Crystal (transparency, diaphaneity).

Thanks Caitlin for posting the images.

Best,
Richard

 

[GemGeek]

When I read your book where you described the quality of "water", it made me think of my large oval ametrine that has super-transparency. The color isn't especially rich, but there is something about the clarity that is riveting.

 

[Richard W. Wise]

GemGeek,

Often paler colors highlight transparency, but it is the combination that makes for "a gem of the finest water." Tavernier (my protagonist in The French Blue) described the water of one pearl as "dead." Luster is, of course, important, but a ball bearing can have exceptional luster, but a fine pearl has life. And, that is the combination of luster, orient and sometimes translucency.

 

[Richard W. Wise]

Well,

Got some interesting information. Few people seem to understand the role of translucency in natural pearls and even fewer pricing.

 

[Caitlin]

I am intrigued. When will you share with us? Do I see another book?

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Few people seem to understand the role of translucency in natural pearls and even fewer pricing.

To me it's simple. The lesser percentage of calcite included, the greater the value. It doesn't take much more than 10% calcite content to occlude light entirely. Therefore (on average) 90% of the lot fetches only the minimum price provided they meet other standards for shape and size, of course. To avoid confusion, let us not compare randomly ordered calcite with foliated calcite, which often fetches a premium.

The remaining pearls double in price for every percent less of calcite. No pearls are perfectly clear and even the finest pearls have some calcite. A few percent at the very least.

Not a hard and fast rule, but here's a generalized scenario that I use to evaluate my inventory. Let's compare pearls of equal size, shape and surface with a hypothetical starting price:

% - $/carat

10% - $10.00
9% - $20.00
8% - $40.00
7% - $80.00
6% - $160.00
5% - $320.00
4% - $640.00

Most buyers purchase natural pearls in lots, although some singles are traded. Most will only pay a flat rate, usually that of the lowest grade then high grade for maximum profitability.

In the lab report I sent to you recently, you can take note of pearls borne of myostracial origin. This type of pearl rarely presents with visible nuclei, because they are generally autoimmune and aseptic in origin as opposed to periostracial which very often have streaks, pockets and other densities that occlude light.

 

[AMc]

Hi Dave,

I find your answer utterly fascinating; I love it when we can begin using hard numbers to evaluate as so much about the pearl industry is in constant flux. How do you measure the percentage of calcite in a pearl to come to these numbers?

 

[Caitlin]

Something just triggered my memory about the second pearl from the top. When I turned the pearl in the light, it had sheeting effect at one angle Like a layer of luminescent stuff buried in transparency.

I wonder if Tom still has this pearl? It is quite the most fascinating pearl I have ever seen for its strange shape, the strange feel of one part of it, and the sheeting effect on the edge and about the size of a walnut.

There are some pearls in Tom Stern's Pearls thread which are partially translucent. The translucent parts of the pearls felt like and looked like a semi transparent stone. They were photoed by me on a red background which helps one see the transparency.