Natural Cluster Pearls

[CortezPearls]

This is something special: these are photos (and a video) of natural pearls still in their mother oyster's mantle (the organ that produces nacre and pearl ).

These tiny pearls are encased in this gelatin or organic matrix of tissue that we call the pearl sac and as the pearls grow they may come in contact with each other and eventually fuse to become cluster-like pearls aptly called "cluster pearls" that can end up resembling a group of grapes or -if elongated- even silk-worms.

The Southern Cross Pearl is a famous -large sized- cluster of pearls shaped like a cross and originated in this manner.







Use this link to watch video:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1704292689651947

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Fascinating and beautiful!

 

[lilliefuzzysocks]

Thank you for writing this Douglas. Very interesting and beautiful photos.

 

[CathyKeshi]

Mesmerizing! Thank you, Douglas

 

[JerseyPearl]

Oooh I love those clusters. And that video is pretty incredible too!

 

[Orient]

Thank you for writing this Douglas. Very interesting and beautiful photos.

Agree with lilliefuzzysocks. Very interesting and jogged the memory cells re: the article following: https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/winter-2014-labnotes-natural-pearl-pteria-mollusks

Knew I had seen similar pearls somewhere else before.

 

[Katbran]

Love those bubbly pearls !! Thanks Douglas !!

 

[amti]

Fascinating and beautiful!