Natural Abalone Pearls

[pattye]

Wow, the color of the "rounds" is like nothing I've ever seen!

 

[Caitlin]

I have a ring with an abalone pearl very much like those colors. It also has a bump like those do, but mine is about 4mm. Lucky you.

How many large and small do you have? Why aren't you wearing them on leather on your neck/wrist right now! Now that is my idea of understated elegance. Such a pity to decorate them all up with metals and gems and turn them into fancy glitzy jewelry. All they need is to be themselves, unadorned.

 

[patriciadear]

ABALONE SHELL with pearls

ABALONE SHELL with pearls

The below abalone shell has a red or pink bottom, it's encrusted, so am not sure. There are about five pearls attached inside.
The interior colors are brilliant.

 

[patriciadear]

Shell

Shell

Pearl in the upper right side is a deep teal blue. The others are a silvery, rainbow blue. The pearl at the left of the shell is broken. I'm afraid I kept crystal formations inside this shell, and this caused the break. There are several holes inside the shell, indicating a pearl that has grown and detached. (One of the smallest holes can be seen right above the middle pearl.)

 

[patriciadear]

abalone shell

abalone shell

Closer view of the first four pearls.

 

[patriciadear]

abalone shell

abalone shell

Each view of the shell shows it in a different hue.. this illustrates how illusive it is to capture abalone colors.

 

[patriciadear]

All of my round pearls

All of my round pearls

Think this photo includes most of my round pearls. Please forgive the loss of texture and detail.. the photos of larger groupings were taken from a distance. The smaller groupings of the "rounds" illustrate their textured surface and luminescent multi hued nacre. The interesting thing about what remains of my collection of rounds is that they graduate in size and will make a beautiful necklace.

 

[patriciadear]

The 'rounds' change color when moved or turned in the light.. They each exhibit a variety of hues, from pinks and lavenders to blues and greens. The inside of the abalone shell illustrates an accurate representation of the color range that flashes in all of these abalone pearls. It also demonstrates the silvery, almost metallic overtone that illuminates the pearl's nacre.

The below abalone shell was photographed outside of the 'tent' sitting on a white sheet of mylar.

 

[patriciadear]

The entire shell

The entire shell

Here's a good photo of the 8" abalone shell that contains those wonderful Blister/Mabe pearls. What is the correct name for the pearls inside this shell?

 

[GemGeek]

Blister pearls

 

[patriciadear]

Yes, Caitlin.. I should string the pearls, you're right. I've been thinking about how to string the round pearls for my own use for many years! Meanwhile I've sold several pieces that include the round pearls. If I can track down some of the people who own the jewelry I'll tell them about this site. Santa Barbara customers loved the fact that the pearls came from our waters, but I really did not have a clue about the rarity or true value of abalone pearls. I agree, just putting the round pearls on leather or in a very simple setting of some kind is the only way to go. I've always thought that nothing should detract from the pearls themselves. But I do think some of the more unusual shapes and sizes should be protected in a secure setting.

 

[patriciadear]

Abalone Pearl set in Gold

Abalone Pearl set in Gold

Baroque Abalone Pearl, set on 24KT gold. Prongs hold pearl in place I think this is the most extraordinary pearl of all. It's perfect in every respect.

I set this pearl for my Mother in the '70's. She loved it and wore it constantly. The golden necklace came back to me after my Mother died last September. My Mother loved nature. She was a beautiful spirit, an inspiration to me all of my life.

 

[patriciadear]

Baroque pearl in gold

Baroque pearl in gold

Another view of the baroque abalone pearl. Actual color of pearl is closer to the color in this photo.

 

[patriciadear]

baroque in gold

baroque in gold

The gold base is flat, with an oblong hole behind the pearl. The pearl is 7/8" in length, a bit over 3/4" in width, and 5/8" deep. You can see the pearl from the side in this photo. May be confusing to see various angles and tilts of the pearl, but I wanted to show you it's extraordinary shape.

 

[la_corsetiere]

Gorgeous! I love all of these abalone pearls, but this one is so wonderfully freeform and organic. Love the way you set it to show its full beauty.

 

[patriciadear]

Very large broken abalone pearl

Very large broken abalone pearl

Abalone tusk pearl. Unfortunately this peal is broken. The oblong "top" of the pearl is detached from the bottom and the tip of the tusk is gone. (The pearl was once a very rounded baroque tusk shape.) An expert could detect exactly how the pearl was formed by examining it. The nacre is gorgeous, a deep rainbow of silvery colors.

 

[patriciadear]

Broken tusk pearl

Broken tusk pearl

A top view of the broken tusk pearl. Looking directly at the cupped surface of the detached top.

 

[patriciadear]

broken tusk pearl

broken tusk pearl

One more view of the broken pearl. I just think it's so interesting to examine the pearl to gain insight about how it was formed. This pearl is a true specimen and should be displayed inside a glass case. Pearl is 2" long, about 1 1/2" wide and 3/4" deep. The dimensions of the top piece are 1 1/2" x 7/8". The top is deeply cupped with an interesting, indented area. The heavy top fits inside the tusk. The brown base of the top conforms to the inside shape of the pearl, fits inside the first protruding bump of the almost double-tipped pearl.

 

[patriciadear]

thank so much for the feedback

thank so much for the feedback

Thank you.. I'm glad you are enjoying the pearls!

Gorgeous! I love all of these abalone pearls, but this one is so wonderfully freeform and organic. Love the way you set it to show its full beauty.

 

[patriciadear]

thanks pattye

thanks pattye

So glad you are enjoying the pearls, Pattye. I'm also glad that I'm finally able to share them!

Wow, the color of the "rounds" is like nothing I've ever seen!