Natural Bahraini Pearls

[NaturalPearls]

Seperating the pearls and calculating their weights

Seperating the pearls and calculating their weights

I think there?s a lot to explain about this picture.

Let me start with the book on the left, that?s what we call a conversion book. Calculating the weight of a baroque is totally different than the way we calculate the weight of a G1*.
We use Chaw (which is an Indian word) when weighting the G1 pearls. And there is a formula used to convert the carat to chaw. Methqal is used for baroques.


And the bowls you see on the right are used to divide the pearls according to their sizes. I think they are a set of 9 or 10, and are still being used nowadays.

* G1 is divided to 3 groups, G1 pearls are the rarest and hardest to find.
a) Dana: which is the perfect round pearl
b) Sejny: the drop shape pearl
c) Button: which looks like a button, round from the top and flat at the bottom?

 

[Valeria101]

Good grief! Whatever does not need to be explained in your picture makes for some Cheshire smiles...

That isn't just one seazon's harvest on the red cloth, is it?

 

[Valeria101]

Hi Natural
We have a person on this board who thinks the new batch of Bahraini naturals showing up on the market, are from Borneo.

Caitlin: totally disagree.
And it?s quite easy to tell the difference between pearls from our region and pearls from different countries/regions.

Caitlin, do you remember where that statement you are citing came up? I've tried to find it, but couldn't - only that some natural pearls from Borneo are sold in Bahrain, which seems to be a milder, reasonable claim.

 

[NaturalPearls]

Good grief! Whatever does not need to be explained in your picture makes for some Cheshire smiles...

That isn't just one seazon's harvest on the red cloth, is it?

It would be if we were still living in the 1930s. The pearls in the red cloth are old pearls, from my grandfathers collection.

 

[NaturalPearls]

Caitlin, do you remember where that statement you are citing came up? I've tried to find it, but couldn't - only that some natural pearls from Borneo are sold in Bahrain, which seems to be a milder, reasonable claim.

If thats what was said, it can be true!

 

[Slraep]

* G1 is divided to 3 groups, G1 pearls are the rarest and hardest to find.
a) Dana: which is the perfect round pearl
b) Sejny: the drop shape pearl
c) Button: which looks like a button, round from the top and flat at the bottom?

Hi NaturalPearls,

Thank you very much for the info. Is there an Arabic word for G1, or is it just G1? What does the "G" mean? Group? Gem? What makes them the rarest and hardest to find? In the categories, do you actually use the word "button" or is there an Arabic word for that also?

Slraep

 

[pattye]

That is a perfectly glorious double strand of pearls! I love the color variation, and the alternating sizes. Oh, to see it in person!!! And the pearls in the red cloth--I immediately set that photo as my computer background! So interesting! Thank you!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

 

[Caitlin]

I may have worded that in an incorect way, but if pearls from Borneo are showing up in Bahrain they appear to be trying to pass as Bahraini.

I believe I read that in one of the prince of Sabar's posts......

One way of disputing that claim is an essay on the pearling end of it. Who is procuring the pearls and what techniques of pearl diving are currently being used? Even amateur photos would be extremely enlightening.

Your grandfather's picture is a treasure!

 

[SteveM]

Your grandfather's pearls from the 1930s are incredibly lustrous, pure pleasure to see.

 

[Slraep]

Here is the quote from the other thread, Caitlin. It clearly says "significant numbers" or in other words a remarkable amount.

So NaturalPearls is saying NO, it is not so except for maybe a trickle. And I think I believe NaturalPearls. I don't think it would be such a well kept secret, the naturals from PNGuinea and Borneo being foisted on unsuspecting buyers as Gulf pearls. Would be quite a scandal.


"While natural pearl production amounts to but a fraction of decades past, sigificant numbers of fantastic wild ocean pearls currently come from Papua New Guinea and Borneo. With increasing development and oil exploration of these areas, before long these grounds, too, may cease to produce."

 

[Caitlin]

I am getting conflicting information about the existence of any NEW Gulf pearls, which most people report died out in 1930 or so. The major natural pearl sellers in Bahrain seem ambivalent themselves, and advertise "Bahrain Guinean pearls", which my investigation suggests may be new natural ocean pearls imported to the Emirates from New Guinea. Please point me to some reference that documents any significant number of quality Gulf pearls coming today from the sea, not from existing collections. Many thanks. Tom Stern,MD

Here is what I found.

 

[Slraep]

Caitlin, your found quote is better. I'm glad we have someone from Bahrain saying otherwise. I wish more vendors from Bahrain say otherwise because this is a serious matter pertaining to their credibility. If it is not true then the quote is just an attempt at a sales pitch.

Slraep

 

[Caitlin]

I am delighted that Reem is here and I encourage her to put contact info under her signature. She really is the first person on this forum, if not online in general, who can speak for Bahraini pearls.

I would SO much like to have her report all she can from how they are fishing for pearls nowadays and the pearling life in general, to putting up newfound Bahraini pearls before they are set in jewelry. Now to mention how much is being produced, and maybe if other dealers are using the Bahrain/Guinea designation....

BTW I disagree with her when he says natural pearls are not as lustrous as cultured; just think the Duchess of Windsor necklace. I believe it is Kunz who reported the best pearls were so lustrous, one can see his eye reflected back. That was long before the stealing of the techniques of cultured pearls had born fruits for their Japanese patent holders.

 

[Slraep]

BTW I disagree with him when he says natural pearls are not as lustrous as cultured; just think the Duchess of Windsor necklace. I believe it is Kunz who reported the best pearls were so lustrous, one can see his eye reflected back. That was long before the stealing of the techniques of cultured pearls had born fruits for their Japanese patent holders.

Maybe he means not like the metallic lustre like on Mikimoused akoyas and "product of Japan" Tahitians. Naturals should have a gorgeous silky lustre with a halo!! They glow! Like transparent glass but not like a ball bearing. I dunno. I've seen some, but not nearly enough.

Slraep

 

[knotty panda]

This is one of the best threads we have had in a very long time. A pleasure to read. Caitlin: I knew what you were referencing and where you were going and politely watched the show. I wasn't disappointed.

 

[SteveM]

This is one of the best threads we have had in a very long time.

Second that. Pearl-Guide.com is now complete?

 

[Ingykiz]

NaturalPearls,
Your pearls look like a treasure that I imagined as a child.(Syntax?) What I mean to say is that your old pearls look more "pearly" than most pearls I have seen as of late. I will put your pearls on my husbands,,,uh, I mean my list of must haves. Thanks for all the background info on a subject I know nothing about, Bahraini Pearls.

 

[Caitlin]

Bahraini pearls from the Persian Gulf are the from the oldest and most prolific pearl beds the world has ever seen. Up until Reem arrived, we did not have any way to get some without going to Bahrain. Maybe that will change, now.

 

[Slraep]

I hope Reem stays with us! We want to pick his knowledge. Please indulge us Reem!!

Slraep

 

[SteveM]

Bahraini pearls from the Persian Gulf are the from the oldest and most prolific pearl beds the world has ever seen. Up until Reem arrived, we did not have any way to get some without going to Bahrain. Maybe that will change, now.

It has certainly changed, but I have a feeling we all better start prospecting for oil, hoping for our own James Dean (from 'Giant') moments. But in all things one must have standards, and those 1930s beauties are now mine?