Questions about pearl harvesting process

[Polforos]

Hello! Question mostly for pearl experts. I can't quite find some decent information on the Internet about harvest process of different pearls. I am mostly curious about when it happens for tahitians, south sea, freshwater etc., and how it is decided to harvest particular bundle of mollusks? Is it strictly a calendar day which was marked for them from the beginning, is it the coldest day in particular season, or anything else?

I also constantly see information that saltwater pearls can be nurtured different amount of years, usually 2 or 3-4, but sometimes even longer. So I wonder what is the mystery behind this vague terms as well! Thank you for your answers.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I found this in the "Pearls As One" course, but it isn't very specific:
Akoyas are harvested in the coldest season.
Tahitians are harvested between May and November.

 

[ennui]

I think South Sea pearls are harvested in June, July and August, which are the coolest months in that hemisphere.

 

[ennui]

I'd be curious about the process. I've watched Kamoka short films --carefully taking one pearl at a time-- and it seems like it would take a long, long time to harvest any great quantity. How many pearls are taken in one day? I'm guessing harvesters work in teams? How many pearls are rejects? It's painstaking.

 

[Polforos]

I'd be curious about the process. I've watched Kamoka short films --carefully taking one pearl at a time-- and it seems like it would take a long, long time to harvest any great quantity. How many pearls are taken in one day? I'm guessing harvesters work in teams? How many pearls are rejects? It's painstaking.

At the place of pearls workers I would be axtra cautious as well! It woul be frustrating if an oyster worked really hard for several years to produce one singular pearl and due to my occasional erratic movement I would occasionally damaged the pearl.