My Visit to Atlas Pearl farm in Bali
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Red
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Not all of the workers on the farm are working directly with the oysters. The lines themselves also need cleaning. Here the workers bring up the lengths of line to clean it. You can see the spare buoys on the boat in case those are in need of replacement.
The workers in the last picture have mended a broken long line. The diver on the left is getting ready to go down to reattach the bottom of the buoy line to the sea floor.
The workers in the last picture have mended a broken long line. The diver on the left is getting ready to go down to reattach the bottom of the buoy line to the sea floor.
CathyKeshi
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Thank you Red and Dan for these beautiful photos!
Red
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Thank you for your comments Pareltje, pattye, BWeaves, CathyKeshi, amti, KaySD, newberry, Katbran, kalmen22, and asurazzy.
Pareltje - We did spend our last four days in Bali visiting Ubud. Certainly an amazing place and lots of fun.
KaySD and Katbran - Let's finish the pearl farm tour first, before I go shopping!
asurazzy - Thank you so much for your comment. Indeed, one of the hopes Atlas Pearls had in sponsoring my trip was to increase awareness of their product by using social media. Your comment means that my trip is a success from their point of view. Thank you!!!
Pareltje - We did spend our last four days in Bali visiting Ubud. Certainly an amazing place and lots of fun.
KaySD and Katbran - Let's finish the pearl farm tour first, before I go shopping!
asurazzy - Thank you so much for your comment. Indeed, one of the hopes Atlas Pearls had in sponsoring my trip was to increase awareness of their product by using social media. Your comment means that my trip is a success from their point of view. Thank you!!!
Red
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Continuing on the tour. After we returned to shore we got the standard pearl farm tour. There are posters around the building and an informative movie to watch. There is also a live demonstration of the nucleation process which is most interesting. Most of you probably know the various steps, but I'll show you here.
First, one of the posters in the shop. I found this particularly interesting because Atlas does have a breeding operation. It is connected to the pearl shop and we were allowed to look through the windows, but were not allowed into the breeding area. The video which is shown about the farm operation does show two oysters in a tray breeding away. I have to think that pearl uniformity would be enhanced by having so many of the pearls created in oysters that are all brothers and sisters.
First, one of the posters in the shop. I found this particularly interesting because Atlas does have a breeding operation. It is connected to the pearl shop and we were allowed to look through the windows, but were not allowed into the breeding area. The video which is shown about the farm operation does show two oysters in a tray breeding away. I have to think that pearl uniformity would be enhanced by having so many of the pearls created in oysters that are all brothers and sisters.
Red
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The demonstration bench in the Atlas pearl farm shop.
The adult oyster has a stake in it to allow it to be opened for the operation.
Nuclei come in various sizes. The technician will select the appropriate size once she sees what size this oyster can accommodate.
The adult oyster has a stake in it to allow it to be opened for the operation.
Nuclei come in various sizes. The technician will select the appropriate size once she sees what size this oyster can accommodate.
Red
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The technician is seated at the bench to operate on the oyster.
This is the mantle tissue, which is inserted along with the nucleus.
Lights on, and ready to operate.
The technician makes a small slice and carefully inserts the nucleus and mantle tissue.
All done, our oyster closes up and is ready to be put back into the sea.
This is the mantle tissue, which is inserted along with the nucleus.
Lights on, and ready to operate.
The technician makes a small slice and carefully inserts the nucleus and mantle tissue.
All done, our oyster closes up and is ready to be put back into the sea.
Red
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Just down the hallway is the breeding operation. We were allowed to take pictures through the door. I suspect that this is older food, due to the browner color of the algae.
The hallway between the store and the breeding center shows the oyster cages that we were privileged to see in person on the farm.
The store clerk/tour guide explains how the baby oysters cling to these ropes.
Below us, next to the sea, farm workers clean and repair the oyster cages.
The hallway between the store and the breeding center shows the oyster cages that we were privileged to see in person on the farm.
The store clerk/tour guide explains how the baby oysters cling to these ropes.
Below us, next to the sea, farm workers clean and repair the oyster cages.
Red
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I was looking for a small pair of South Sea pearls for earrings, and Atlas had plenty to choose from there in the shop.
They didn't have much for large drops, but this large circle pearl with its "A" grading caught my eye. It has great luster, along with a very unusual shape. I'm not sure what to do with it, but I had to bring it home with me.
There was a sale on set pendants that I couldn't resist. After playing with the pairs and pendants for a while, I came down to these pearls. The colors were a pleasing match. Those are my own little h earrings which I brought along to help get the color that I like best right. The large circle pearl that I purchased lies in the upper right. Candidate pearls that I did not get are on the left. My pendant is already set with a red gold setting, although they had it hanging in the shop from a yellow gold chain. I had my own yellow gold chain along, so I did not purchase their chain.
They didn't have much for large drops, but this large circle pearl with its "A" grading caught my eye. It has great luster, along with a very unusual shape. I'm not sure what to do with it, but I had to bring it home with me.
There was a sale on set pendants that I couldn't resist. After playing with the pairs and pendants for a while, I came down to these pearls. The colors were a pleasing match. Those are my own little h earrings which I brought along to help get the color that I like best right. The large circle pearl that I purchased lies in the upper right. Candidate pearls that I did not get are on the left. My pendant is already set with a red gold setting, although they had it hanging in the shop from a yellow gold chain. I had my own yellow gold chain along, so I did not purchase their chain.
Red
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A closer look at my final purchase on the right, and my little h South Sea keshi earrings on the left. The new pearls have a softer luster than my keshi, but I rather expected this as I selected those keshi from Hisano Shepherd's personal stash, and they are something special. But, the Atlas pearls are extraordinarily beautiful, and I am so pleased with my purchase.
The tags for the three loose pearls, showing their size and grading.
Finally, I had to wear my new Atlas pearl pendant for the rest of my trip in Bali. I have plans to change out the bale, but that is another story.
The tags for the three loose pearls, showing their size and grading.
Finally, I had to wear my new Atlas pearl pendant for the rest of my trip in Bali. I have plans to change out the bale, but that is another story.
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