Inside a natural blister pearl

[New Zealand Natural Pearl]

Hi everybody,
I just cut out a blister pearl for a customer (Abalone, Haliotis Iris) and thought it is worth showing the inside!!
You can clearly see the layers of nacre as well as what we call a "pearl factory" little blisters probably caused by a fungus growing inside.

 

[Daddys Little Pearl]

How fascinating! Thanks for sharing this photo.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

The layers in the first photo are very clear! I didn't think they would be so obvious, or so thick.

 

[New Zealand Natural Pearl]

The layers in the first photo are very clear! I didn't think they would be so obvious, or so thick.

Yes the layers are a problem when cutting out pearls, very easy to chip one of these away by accident. Here is a picture of a free form pearl (3mm). These pearls take approx. 2 years to form.

 

[GemGeek]

Thanks for the great photos! What a treat to see inside.

 

[Caitlin]

That is a little gem of a post. Truly informative!!!

 

[pattye]

NZNP,

Great photos! Thanks for sharing!

 

[newberry]

Thank you so much for posting these photos, very interesting to see.