My first natural pearls landed! I am completely smitten by these little guys (from Ringcraft Moana).
The "hardest" part is that they have such a perfect nacre coverage all around and I initially wanted to have them half-drilled and bezel-set. Now I am wondering if I could do another design where they dangle from little chains .... what do you guys think, rather go as protective as possible with Abalones?
Family shot with seafoam Tahitians and blueish SoC. I cannot resist cool-toned mermaid pearls this year!
The "hardest" part is that they have such a perfect nacre coverage all around and I initially wanted to have them half-drilled and bezel-set. Now I am wondering if I could do another design where they dangle from little chains .... what do you guys think, rather go as protective as possible with Abalones?
Family shot with seafoam Tahitians and blueish SoC. I cannot resist cool-toned mermaid pearls this year!
JerseyPearl
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The smallest size drill bit my supplier carries is a .5mm (meaning that is the size hole it will create). My guess is that they drill very few pearls, and use a larger 0.8-1.2mm bit when they do. What size is the post for your mounting? I'd suggest that you make an inquiry with Pearl Paradise, as they might be able to custom design a setting for your pearls.
CortezPearls
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My recommendation: purchase a hand-use pearl drill so you can manually drill in any possible way. I would also get a strong steel needle (2-3 inches long) and put on fire for some minutes, then with tweezers I would gently press into the pearl (on the selected spot for drilling) so I would make a 0.5-1.0 mm deep hole from where to start drilling with ease...this way you don't risk your drill bit moving from side to side.
Additional Note: remember heated up metal looks identical to cool metal. Use carefully!
Hope this technique helps.
JerseyPearl
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Douglas, what an interesting tip! You know I'm going to have to experiment now. I love playing with fire (when making jewelry, of course).
CortezPearls
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I've used that technique to work with some REALLY HARD TO DRILL pearls AND Naturals...when I just can't make a mistake. Please let us know how it went for you! 
parfaitelumiere
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you can also use a bur instead of a drill to start the hole, then use the drill.
Thank you!! They are over here: https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/showthread.php?2121-Pearl-and-Gemstones/page10
CortezPearls
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Hey!
A very good friend of mine called me this morning and told me he had just purchased this HUGE natural Abalone pearl...it is probably one of the biggest in the world, so I just had to share this with the PG family!
This pearl is from Baja California in Mexico, from the "Red Abalone" (Haliotis rufescens) and has the typical "claw shape" of many very desirable abalone pearls.
View attachment 76131
And guess much it weighs??? This one weighs 442.95 carats!!!
I looked up some information and this might be the 3rd largest pearl of its kind in the world!
A very good friend of mine called me this morning and told me he had just purchased this HUGE natural Abalone pearl...it is probably one of the biggest in the world, so I just had to share this with the PG family!
This pearl is from Baja California in Mexico, from the "Red Abalone" (Haliotis rufescens) and has the typical "claw shape" of many very desirable abalone pearls.
View attachment 76131
And guess much it weighs??? This one weighs 442.95 carats!!!
I looked up some information and this might be the 3rd largest pearl of its kind in the world!
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