The Pearl Oyster , 2008

[Caitlin]

This book The Pearl Oyster by Paul Southgate, John Lucas, editors,

Publisher: Elsevier Science (October 13, 2008)


This book has 30 pages written by Strack with the help of Taylor. It is over 500 pages for $100, not counting shipping, from Amazon. Link to page

Book Description
Everything for the Oyster Biologist and Cultured Pearl Producer

Contrary to a generally held view that pearls are found by chance in oysters, almost all are now produced from farms. This book is a comprehensive treatment of all aspects of the biology of pearl oysters, their anatomy, reproduction, genetics, diseases, etc. It considers how they are farmed from spawning and culturing larvae in hatcheries to adults in the ocean; how various environmental factors, including pollution affect them; how modern techniques are successfully producing large numbers of cultured pearls. This is the ultimate reference source on pearl oysters and the culture of pearls, written and edited by a number of scientists who are world experts in their fields.

Comprehensive treatment of pearl oyster biology and pearl culture
Written by the top world authorities
Highly illustrated and figured

Of practical relevance to a broad readership, from professional biologists to those involved in the practicalities and practice of pearl production.

Please, someone check this out!

 

[jshepherd]

I have a copy but I haven't read it yet. It looks like a real challenge.

 

[Caitlin]

Did you look at Strack's chapter?

 

[jshepherd]

Yes. Her's is the first chapter. It is similar to the beginning of her own book. It is a historic overview of pearls. She was in Dubai, by the way.

 

[Caitlin]

I saw the photo/tables of pearl formation from her own book. These can be read online in Amazon and/or Google's page for the book. I'll try to get the links...later

 

[CortezPearls]

Read it a month ago. It is a very good book for all those interested in the techical-scientifical aspects of pearl culture. It has contributors galore from all over the world, so it has a very wide offering of information on all important species of Pteriidae.
The only problem I saw was that some contributors insist on using certain sources that are inaccurate, specially when referring to species distribution, or some information is incomplete (because more contributors were required) as in the case of the appearance of commensal "Pea Crabs": the book states that these are ONLY found in Pinctada maxima, but we have them ALSO in Pteria sterna.
Aside from these very minor details, the book is an absolute TREASURE.

 

[GemGeek]

Thanks for the great feedback Douglas. I ordered the Oyster book along with a few others I had wanted. I splurged! "Tiffany Pearls", "People and Pearls: The Magic Edures", and "Girls in Pearls". Muah hah ha!

 

[jerin]

Hi Blair,

I imagine that you could have got yourself a nice strand from the offerings from PP if I imagine what all these "book treasures" will cost you, however the Pearl Oyster is a "must have" for any of us interested in pearls and their producers. Good reading!

 

[GemGeek]

If I'm labeling myself as a "pearl scholar", then I have to be very well-read. Besides, I like nothing better than lying down with a good book and a bad cat.