Nautilus pearl

[SteveM]

I would think of some kind of parasitic worm attaching to the shell causing that raised area.

Yes it's clearly a parasite. There are multiple examples entombed on the same shell where the pearl was found. Blister composition logically appears to be the delicate, non-nacreous inner shell layer.

 

[GemGeek]

Someone was just talking to me about the book Dune, so I'm seeing a tiny sandworm. The power of suggestion. Great photo, again Steve!

 

[SteveM]

Someone was just talking to me about the book Dune, so I'm seeing a tiny sandworm. The power of suggestion. Great photo, again Steve!

It's not even that tiny! It's merely an isolation from the original photograph just a few posts above.

 

[hacostas]

Hi Steve
You're right, that pearl grew for quite a while within the nautilus before attaching in the last chamber. I've read these animals move from one chamber to the next around twice a year. It may have started as a small wound while the nautilus was changing chambers. This site would be very difficult to reach for a parasite or other external factor to inflict a wound.

In fact, do I not already possess a NAUTILUS BLISTER??!!

From the photos (previous photo of the cut shell, and this last one with the worm) it looks like the animal (nautilus) had been dead for a while before it was collected (the nacre looks motted or stained). The parasite looks like a calcareous polychaete and, since it is on the inside of the shell it may have grown there once the nautilus was no longer in the shell (dead). This may not be a blister at all.

As for 'post-sac attachment' I think it is possible. It depends of the location. it has to be in a site within the animal where the mantle movement is minimal. Also, attached pearls should be relatively easy to detach from the shell since only the very outer layers of the pearl would be attached to the main shell.

and the interest keeps growing

 

[SteveM]

The parasite looks like a calcareous polychaete and, since it is on the inside of the shell it may have grown there once the nautilus was no longer in the shell (dead). This may not be a blister at all.

Hello H?ctor? Thanks again for the great input. Appears that the blister hunt is still on?and Frank Herbert's sand worms were mollusk-inspired!

 

[Caitlin]

I just want to say that the level of expertise and intellect on this thread is awesome! I am clinging to every word you all say, because you are groping for the unknown and bringing it to the world. A veritable shamanic task unfolding in real time, before us all. May many blessings accrue to this effort! I kiss you, I hug you all, in my appreciation. Keep up the Quest!

 

[GemGeek]

I go to this thread first. It's like opening a surprise package with something happening almost daily! Caitlin's right -- it's the noble quest -- the holy grail of the pearl world.

 

[SteveM]

?something happening almost daily?

There may be a bit of a slow news period ahead as we discover the most appropriate scientific course to take with the specimens. Perhaps another specimen (the elusive blister!) will be found in the interim.

As a little breather, reprised herewith is the PREGNANT PAUSE from post 56?

 

[pattye]

An excellent way to start the weekend--------------accompanied by a little hummus dip with pita chips

 

[Chameleon]

This thread is so exciting. It is as good as reading a great discovery book. I hope that the pause will be a short one

Maria

 

[SteveM]

This thread is so exciting. It is as good as reading a great discovery book.

Including elements of mystery, myth, mysticism, adventure and obsession. The thread is plotted as though the outcome were predestined—but I'm as amazed as anyone, and so pleased for Pearl-Guide and its readers that things appear to be working out the way they are.

Keep in mind that my non-trade status has been instrumental, as normally such processes are kept very hush-hush until conclusions have been drawn.

Maria, I love your country! We are good friends with the owner of Estonia Piano Company and spent three wonderful summer days (and 'nights') in Tallinn and Parnu a few years ago.

 

[SteveM]

More photos…

I reported that the Nautilus shell and its (previously) attached pearl had come with a collection of other claimed Nautilus pearls, obtained more traditionally from private collections in the local fishing villages during the same expedition.

Among the pearls was the 1.9ct wildly-flamed button (likely white conch) pictured previously.

In cataloguing the pearls I have begun to notice peculiarities in a couple of them (in addition to flame) that do give pause.

This is a 2.8ct button, 7.94x7.85x6.07, with good flame. It possesses tantalizing flashes of blue reminiscent of the nacreous core of the Nautilus shell (tilt the computer screen, as the changing angles help to view the chatoyance).

Additionally, the perceptible counterclockwise swirl on top would locate this pearl—in correlation to my prior post concerning the Coriolis effect—in the Southern Hemisphere, or the Indonesian archipelago where it was found.

 

[SteveM]

The Magic of Jewels and Charms
George Frederick Kunz
Lippincott, 1915

From Chapter 10, ‘Gemstone Facts’

Some natives of the Sulu Archipelago believe that the nautilus pearl is a most unlucky object to possess, for should a man engage in a fight while wearing such a pearl he would inevitably be killed. Hence, when a native by chance comes across one of them, he very quickly throws it away, as a probable bringer of ill-luck. Occasionally, however, such pearls fall into the hands of those who are less influenced by superstition, and one weighing 72 grains was given, in 1884, to an Australian gentleman, by Mohammed Beddreddin, brother-in-law of the Sultan of Sulu. This was a perfect, pear-shaped pearl of a creamy-white hue and somewhat translucent; it is composed of the porcelanous, not of the nacreous constituent of the shell.

It has been stated that this Sulu superstition is not shared by the natives of Celebes Island, near Borneo, for here such pearls are kept as charms and talismans.

Observation: This thread went to considerable lengths with reference to the latest scientific research in order to establish that the mantle of the Nautilus Pompilius simultaneously secretes nacreous as well as non-nacreous biomineral material. The 1884 description above coincides with all the evidence that has been presented here.

Observation: The ancient superstitions regarding Nautilus pearls in the Sulu Archipleago and Celebes Island, North and South of the equator respectively, are in like opposition to the contrary hemispheric directions of the polar swirl.

Science meets myth, meets me…

 

[Caitlin]

Good old Kunz. I think I have that book from a long time ago. I should go look.

 

[DrTKStern]

Wrong about superstition

Wrong about superstition

Hi,

Now I will report as Prince of Sulu and North Borneo.

Kunz must have misunderstood, because I've asked the old ones what the oldest folks they ever knew thought about the pros and cons of Nautilus pearls, and close to 100% of them say a Nautilus pearl is "anting-anting", or a protector-type of pearl. Though few have seen one, the mythology seems widespread. Of course there could be an island where quite the opposite is held to be truth, and maybe Kunz got his information there; but I think he just got mixed up by the language, as in, "I'll just cat that blister pearl of yours." This would put him in very good company.

Thanks,
Tom
Datu Bandahala

 

[Chameleon]

Including elements of mystery, myth, mysticism, adventure and obsession. The thread is plotted as though the outcome were predestined?but I'm as amazed as anyone, and so pleased for Pearl-Guide and its readers that things appear to be working out the way they are.

Keep in mind that my non-trade status has been instrumental, as normally such processes are kept very hush-hush until conclusions have been drawn.

Maria, I love your country! We are good friends with the owner of Estonia Piano Company and spent three wonderful summer days (and 'nights') in Tallinn and Parnu a few years ago.

Yes, you are so right - all the elements of a great story are here. You could write a book later about the mystery and search for the Nautilus pearl. Yet, it is not only the story, that keeps calling me back, but also the fascination of witnessing the passion you, Tom Stern and others contributing to this issue are sharing.

The Piano Factory is doing well, I hear. It is a very specific business. You have such an interesting "package" you are involved with - pianos, wine and pearls. Sounds very good!
I am glad that you like Estonia and had good time here. It is nice little country, I like living here. It could be a little warmer though

Maria

 

[GemGeek]

Hi,

Now I will report as Prince of Sulu and North Borneo.

Kunz must have misunderstood, because I've asked the old ones what the oldest folks they ever knew thought about the pros and cons of Nautilus pearls, and close to 100% of them say a Nautilus pearl is "anting-anting", or a protector-type of pearl. Though few have seen one, the mythology seems widespread. Of course there could be an island where quite the opposite is held to be truth, and maybe Kunz got his information there; but I think he just got mixed up by the language, as in, "I'll just cat that blister pearl of yours." This would put him in very good company.

Thanks,
Tom
Datu Bandahala

It's great to hear the news from the source. We have all learned from the "cat-ting" experierience, as well!

 

[SteveM]

This would put him in very good company.

Michener, for example. In Iberia, the author was wondrous at the magnanimity of Pamplona banks during the Fiesta de San Ferm?n (Running of the Bulls) for opening their doors in order that revelers sleep off their hangovers in the lobbies.

In Spanish banco means both 'bank' and 'bench.'

 

[SteveM]

Rare November sunshine in Seattle today, allowing for Pearlshooter's preferred combination of natural and artificial lighting. Point-and-shoot macro setting is my only tool, unfortunately.

Per Tom's prior post with image, Nautilus pearl candidates have this fascinating tendency to suggest extraterrestrial worlds?

 

[GemGeek]

Alien eyeball?