South Sea Mabe pearls

[Pearling Technologies]

As suppliers of equipment and services to pearl farmers around the world, we sometimes get asked some unusual requests. How’s this one? We had an enquiry to manufacture mabe nuclei in the shape of a human ear and then have them planted into a maxima shell and grown as a mabe pearl. We hand made the nuclei and had them implanted in oysters on an Indonesian pearl farm. Brilliant end result and the customer was very happy!

 

[BWeaves]

Well, that's interesting. I wonder what they are going to use the ears for? Did they tell you? They all appear to be right ears, unless you also have a batch of left ears, too.

 

[CortezPearls]

I "Hear You" George!
Pun totally intended!
Sounds like a cool project. And thank you for sharing these with us!

One question: How much did they pay for each "Mabe Ear"??? Is it possible to disclose this?

 

[Pearling Technologies]

It’s for an artist that is designing a new installation (I believe). Will ask him if i can share his details. As for cost, not sure i can share but it was reasonable given the work involved!

 

[BWeaves]

Cool!

 

[CortezPearls]

It’s for an artist that is designing a new installation (I believe). Will ask him if i can share his details. As for cost, not sure i can share but it was reasonable given the work involved!

And I am asking because I have a friend doing research on Mabe pricing and production costs. This might be helpful for his report.
Thank you again for sharing George!

 

[Pearling Technologies]

And I am asking because I have a friend doing research on Mabe pricing and production costs. This might be helpful for his report.
Thank you again for sharing George!

Hi Douglas, as these were a custom shape there was a lot more to the process rather than standard shapes and sizes. Regular mabe shapes are sold ex Indonesia only for a few dollars per piece, depending on size and quality. Happy to chat with you off line about this one in particular but this was closer to $40 or so, from start to finish

 

[CortezPearls]

Not a bad price! We once actually did a similar thing for a Sculptor down here in Mexico. She used the Mabe as "accents" on a large piece she made.

 

[jshepherd]

At the show last week, Asia Pearl had a large selection of different WSS mabé pearls in different sizes, shapes and qualities. They had a few lots being offered for more than $200 per pearl.

 

[CortezPearls]

At the show last week, Asia Pearl had a large selection of different WSS mabé pearls in different sizes, shapes and qualities. They had a few lots being offered for more than $200 per pearl.

Thats a really good price for Mabe. Must have been top quality.