quahog pearl

[rkc007]

I found a quahog pearl this past weekend while chucking clams. It's a 7mm circular pearl with a deep purple which fades to white. If I don't sell it, I'm thinking about either having a ring made, or possibly a pendant.

Can these pearls be drilled? The one jewelry store I spoke with said it shouldn't be a problem, although they did not sound that confident.

Thanks!

collinsr [at] tlcintegration [dot] com

 

[Caitlin]

I have read that it is better not to drill them. I have seen one in a little bottle worn around the neck and mostly rings and brooches where they use claws to hold the pearl. I think they are brittle, from what I have heard.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

It's cute! And such a lovely color. Could you give us another photo, a bit more focused, for our viewing pleasure? Use the macro (close focus) setting on your camera.

 

[dmj]

yup dont drill them they do loose a lot of value also after drilling set them in a 4 prong setting like a gem stone

 

[pattye]

Nice find, rkc007!

 

[Amrita]

Love that color, lucky you rkc007!

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

It's a wonderful pearl. It has great shape and a bold pink overtone. Pearls from quahogs (Mercenaria mercenaria) are among the most desireable from all of the venus clams.

Catlin and Daniel are correct by discouraging drilling. Non nacreous pearls tend to be a lot more crystalline than their highly nacreous cousins.

You're very lucky to have found this while shucking instead of after steaming, Cooking usually destroys the surface lustre.

 

[rkc007]

Thanks for the feedback. I had a feeling drilling would be a bad idea.

Ill try to get some more pictures over the weekend.

Does anyone have any pictures of a pearl mounted without being drilled in either a ring or pendant? Im looking for something simple that could be worn every day in a white gold setting.

Any suggestions for someone in the NJ area?

 

[Caitlin]

10mm Quahog Pearl

This is a good way to do it- and very pretty too!

 

[CLICLASP]

A very nice find, and your photo shows a shiny porcelain like surface.
Drilling can only be done by experienced driller, used to drill natural pearls, with very thin diamond drilling bit, and a lot of water.
This means that the round-the-corner jeweller is not the right place for that.
Prong setting can be really nice, choose the right person to make the mounting and shows us when done !

 

[CLICLASP]

When you say " can be worn everyday," caution , these pearls are not intended to be worn without precaution, avoid washing hands, home work, garden work and so on... only a diamond can stand it... otherwise, will get scratches soon and loose the porcelain-like surface.