Pearl Farm in the Sea of Cortez

[chi huynh]

Douglas,
Thanks for sharing.
I will find some time to visit the farm and maybe they can help me to put the gem in pearl.
Chi Galatea Huynh

 

[john675]

The new harvest pictures are lovely - thanks for sharing. I can't wait to see more!
John

 

[Josh]

At the GJX today I was fortunate to make the acquaintance of Douglas McClaurin's (of Sea of Cortez Pearls fame) partner Enrique. A great guy filled with knowledge and experience of the world of pearl farming. We obviously had a lot to talk about but the time was too short together. I am greatly looking forward to my trip to their farm, coming up in just a few days.

 

[knotty panda]

And we can't wait for all the stories you and Doug will share with us.

 

[Josh]

Enrique and I had a nice time together today at his Guaymas farm. Unfortunately, Douglas and Manuel had to swap with Enrique at their booth in Tucson.
We have been sharing many of the joys and difficulties that make up being a pearl farmer.
The constants are dedication, hard work and love for the job, the ocean and it's inhabitants.
For those of you who don't know the story, Douglas, Enrique and Manuel were marine biologists in college and together they decided to do a pilot project on pearl farming. The innocent project grew into something increasingly exciting to the point where the three of them knew they had found their calling.
Unlike us farmers in the South Pacific though, these guys didn't have anyone to share ideas or techniques with. It's hard enough when you have people around you to talk to but to not even have that is unimaginable to me. These guys are heros for their commitment to their dream. They have fought their way to success and that's pretty cool.

 

[pattye]

Actually, Josh, it's WAY cool that you all have similar philosophies and can meet each other and share ideas. It was terrific meeting you, the Sea of Cortez guys and so many others, in Tucson, and the pearls I saw were gorgeous! Planning to have some "Josh" pearls of my own very soon!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

 

[CortezPearls]

Hello to all:

It is good to be back! We are still busy down here, but things are becoming "easier": the seeding op season is almost over...and HARVEST is almost upon us.

Speaking of Harvest. We did a very small pre-harvest and the pearls have improved from last year's: more pearls, better shapes (more semi-baroques and rounds) and deep colors.

Took 3 very different pearls and took some photos. I will only include one -to wet thy appetites- on this post. The 3 Cortez Pearls are incredibly diverse in colors, and their luminosity is amazing. I have included a very nice drop-shaped Tahitian black pearl to help contrast their coloration.

What am I hoping for this year? REDS!!! Yes, I hope for Red Pearls.

 

[Perle]

Sigh. Those are just breathtaking!

Perle

 

[CortezPearls]

Actually, Josh, it's WAY cool that you all have similar philosophies and can meet each other and share ideas. It was terrific meeting you, the Sea of Cortez guys and so many others, in Tucson, and the pearls I saw were gorgeous! Planning to have some "Josh" pearls of my own very soon!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

Yes Indeed!!! It was great to meet another similar-minded Pearl Farmer...and it was really funny how our Fears are so similar as well: Hurricanes and (will skip this to avoid hurting some feelings with regard to treated pearls).

Josh operated on some of our Black-Lips...se we should be able to see some "Limited Edition: Josh's Mexican Black Pearls". We hope we can have him visit us again to perform some re-seeding as well. He is quite an extraordinare Pearl Surgeon.

 

[pattye]

Hi Douglas,

I could go for red pearls, too! But they are all gorgeous! LOVE the colors on the baroques, I don't have any rounds as yet. Maybe someday-----Will you know for sure which ones Josh worked on?

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

 

[john675]

Such lovely colors on the three - you have effectively whetted our appetite!
John

 

[CortezPearls]

Hi Douglas,

I could go for red pearls, too! But they are all gorgeous! LOVE the colors on the baroques, I don't have any rounds as yet. Maybe someday-----Will you know for sure which ones Josh worked on?

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

We will for...for sure. You can even tell the pearls apart from a Pinctada oyster and a Pteria sterna oyster: their nacre coloration and crystallization is very different. Also, all of our cages are tagged and we have strict control...except when hit by a hurricane. At that moment we just seem to loose it

Most of the pearl we have obtained from our local black lip are very much like Tahitian black pearls and other SSPs (some are golden, like the Phillipino pearls, some silvery-white, like Aussies)...that is one of the reasons we do not produce them. There is no sense in competing with the marketing power (nor the prices) of Tahitian Blacks.

On the other hand...Rainbow Pearls: the Cortez Pearl is a pearl in a league of its own. The way it glows, shines and shimmers...it is a mesmerizing pearl.

 

[pattye]

Well, Doug,

You don't have to convince me the Cortez Pearls are something special! I have quite a collection from Carolyn--they are indeed mesmerizing---both mabes and baroques. Now red pearls, there is something amazing to hope for, I'm sure!

When will harvest be this year--June or July? I am still planning to visit the farm there sometime soon. Any other Pearl-Guiders interested in getting a small group together?

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

 

[Josh]

Beautiful pearls Douglas and welcome back!
Unfortunately my trip to your little corner of paradise was too short. It was an honor to be involved in your operation though and I'm really hoping I'll be able to make it back in June. Please say to 'Hi' to Enrique and his beautiful family for me.

 

[lisamla]

Wow, those colors are great. I like pearls more and more everyday. I love having all the pearl farmers and sellers involved. Its a fun and educational experience.

 

[CortezPearls]

Unfourtunately (for my participation at the Forum) I am still 99% time at the farm. Will eventually have more time.
But I agree with "Lisamla": this forum is truly special. A place where farmers, jewelers, retailers, gemmologists and enthusiasts can meet and share experiences and grow in their knowledge of this unique and fascinating Gem... I don't believe there is any other forum out there quite as good as this one.

The people behind this forum -its founding parents and its contributors- really deserve a full standing ovation and cheers from all of us.

 

[SteveM]

Any other Pearl-Guiders interested in getting a small group together?

Guaymas is certainly on our list of future destinations, and we have a potential travel window in late May?

Steve

 

[Josh]

Go Steve, go!

 

[SteveM]

Josh, appears you're up early checking the lines. Shall we make that Guaymas and Ahe? I'm up for it?

 

[CortezPearls]

I am very pleased to inform that the "Cortez Pearl 2008 Harvest" is proceeding as expected. We are very happy with the results: rounder, cleaner, lustrous pearls. This will definitely become our best harvest EVER.

But the colors are CONFUSSING...why??? Because every year we usually have more pearls falling into a color category (gray, bronze, green, purple, etc.) and this year's results are NOT following a trend...we have a wider variation of body-colors, beginning with silvery WHITE and ending in jet BLACK. ...but some very promising colors are: BLUE and AUBERGINE. Overtones are quite varied as usual...

Sizes will continue last year's trend: 8.3 to 10.5 mm in diameter, few (handful) specimens exceeding 11 mm. But I think everyone will be happy with the improved skin purity and lustre. As always, these pearls WILL NOT be processed in any way: not maeshori, nor ichigori nor fu-man-chu...(ok, these last 2 options I just made up so please don't start a new thread with the name: "New Pearl Processing & Treatments"...it is a plain joke )

Haven't had time to take good photos, just have a handful of "on the harvest shots". I promise to publish some more in the coming days.