Tom Stern's natural pearls

[effisk]

the notion that pearls can continue to grow outside of the shell.

I'm not too suprised about the fact that several semi-round pearls can be "extracted" from one single and large natural baroque pearl.

I am however more surprised that pearls can continue to grow outside of the shell
Is this a poetic way to describe the wear of the original pearl and the subsequent release of smaller pearls?

 

[J Marcus]

Hi,

To start the New Year with a curiosity....

More than a hundred different people in several nations have related to me the myth of a pearl giving birth to another pearl after being removed from the mollusk. "Prove it," I challenge them.

This photograph and explanatory text was just sent to me by a man who knows PLENTY about natural pearls and was submitted to me in support of the notion that pearls can continue to grow outside of the shell.

These photos are of Pterias species pearls, much like those in the Sea of Cortez, with some nacre.

Anyone else ever heard the legend of the birth of pearls inside a jewel box? Please post your version.

Thanks,
Tom

That's fascinating, Dr. Stern. It would have to be confirmed under lab conditions, of course, to prove it's verity. However, I can think of a couple of possibilities how this phenomenon could cause the illusion of a pearl growing and emerging from another pearl. Both of these involve shrinkage, however. Also, they would be the result of not a single pearl, but rather a pearl cluster made up of several individual pearls that have been cemented together in a single mass by the mullosc. After studying the photo that you posted I think that this is very likely the case. I don't know how much of the structure of such a mass is made up of organic substances other than nacre, such as conchiolin, nor do I know if or how much shrinkage can occur in nacre itself. I have observed phenomena very like this in other organic substances such as certain seed pods. What I think is possible that may be occurring in the case of the pearls is that, given time, the cluster mass may shrink, whether from drying or some other process, causing one or more of the individual pearls to loosen, eventually allowing the pearl(s) to be extracted. The illusion that the pearl has grown may have one of two sources. One is that the mass may shrink proportionately more than the individual pearl, the other being that much of the pearl is hidden by being largely inside of the mass and when it is extracted the whole pearl probably looks bigger than the end sticking out would appear. Either of these would give the illusion of the pearl growing in size. I'm not saying that this is what the myth is based on, but given the alternative of the pearls somehow growing outside of the mullosc, I think that these possibilities are more plausible.

 

[kelluvpearls]

Those giant pearls look like wombs. Are they still submerged in water?

 

[DrTKStern]

Pearls and Tucson and Dubai

Pearls and Tucson and Dubai

Those giant pearls look like wombs. Are they still submerged in water?

Hello,

No, they are dry. I, too, favor the explanation by J. Marcus. Without a mantle, how could nacre possibly form?

But my real fascination is with the mythology. I was surprised to hear it from so many people, educated and not. Some small portion of these same people believe that having certain types of pearl worn on the body or even in a pocket gives the holder the ability to see enemies behind him, sort of a psychic rear-view mirror.

I also want to mention the Dubai Pearl Tender sponsored by Paspaley and others. About 80 objects will be shown over 4 days to 60 or so buyers...no public viewing...and buyers will submit sealed bids on each item. The tender will mix super high-end cultured pearls and extremely rare natural pearls, with expected sales of multiple millions of dollars. This will be February 12-16 in Dubai, just before the World Pearl Forum.

Will there be Pearl Walks in Tucson? Anyone know the dates? I'll not be manning a booth this year, but I want to come for a couple of days. Probably I'll bring a little treasure bag of fine natural pearls to show.

Regards to all,
Tom Stern,MD

 

[effisk]

I also want to mention the Dubai Pearl Tender sponsored by Paspaley and others. About 80 objects will be shown over 4 days to 60 or so buyers...no public viewing...and buyers will submit sealed bids on each item. The tender will mix super high-end cultured pearls and extremely rare natural pearls, with expected sales of multiple millions of dollars. This will be February 12-16 in Dubai, just before the World Pearl Forum.

Did you get an invitation? Khadra Hussein from the DMCC told me that public or media viewing is not permitted due to security reasons, but this might change; more next week. I haven't booked my flight yet and I'd love to attend the wpf and the sale.

 

[DrTKStern]

Pearl Tender

Pearl Tender

Did you get an invitation? Khadra Hussein from the DMCC told me that public or media viewing is not permitted due to security reasons, but this might change; more next week. I haven't booked my flight yet and I'd love to attend the wpf and the sale.

Hi, Effisk,

As a Dubai Pearl Exchange Member, I've been invited to a viewing on the 11th. The lineup of speakers for the World Pearl Forum is wonderful, and I hope to see you there.

Tom

 

[pattye]

Dr. Tom and Effisk,

Hopefully you and others are able to attend, serving as eyes and ears for P-G
and returning with a full report, which we will devour more eagerly than a gourmet meal!!!!

 

[DrTKStern]

Dr. Tom and Effisk,

Hopefully you and others are able to attend, serving as eyes and ears for P-G
and returning with a full report, which we will devour more eagerly than a gourmet meal!!!!

And that hunger imitates but does not equal real passion for pearls, which you clearly are blessed to have. Yes, I will report.

Tom

 

[DrTKStern]

Pearl Tender in Dubai

Pearl Tender in Dubai

Did you get an invitation? Khadra Hussein from the DMCC told me that public or media viewing is not permitted due to security reasons, but this might change; more next week. I haven't booked my flight yet and I'd love to attend the wpf and the sale.

The photo below is of a GIA certified Nautilus pompilius pearl, one of three ever certified by GIA. SSEF has never certified one. I rank it as the second-rarest type of pearl known.

A GIA certified Nautilus pearl is the first item in the Dubai Pearl Tender catalog. Although other pearls and strands are estimated in the $300,000 plus range, about eight lots are listed as having undisclosed estimates, though they certainly should be in mid to high six figures. There are some very nice nacreous natural saltwater pearls, but most of the parcels are exquisite, huge, perfectly spherical South Sea cultured pearls, with eye-popping strands! Public viewing is absolutely not allowed for security reasons.

Beginning the day after the tender closes, I expect the World Pearl Forum in Dubai to be a phenomenal event, with the greatest speakers. With that protracted trip coming up, I just cannot get down to Tucson. Anyway, I'll report. Someone please give my deepest respects to Dr. Strack, in case she doesn't make it to Dubai. I have some material she would really want to include in her next edition.

Best regards,
Tom Stern,MD

 

[Jnorris]

Can anyone show me a nautilus shell exhibiting flame pattern. A pearls appearance will undoubtedly mirror the interior of the shell from which it came. I have seen several pearls being marketed on line as Nautilus pearls with (per the owners description) certification from the SSEF or other labratory. It is my beliefe that all of the pearls represented came from a variety of Tridacna. I have been specializing in Natural pearls for 19 years and am having a difficult time with the Nautilus pearls entering the market. I believe these are mistakes made by the various labratories. I do not assume to know everything about natural pearls there are far to many varieties of pearl producing animals but I lay the challenge to anyone who owns a "Nautilus pearl" to please show me an abundant variety of Nautilus exhibiting flame with in the interiior of its shell. If a pearl is going to be marketed as one of the rarest and most allusive pearls with in the industry and have a six figure asking price I would like more verification then a Cert. How else can I bid with confidence.

 

[Slraep]

I concur with JNorris! Pearls exhibiting a flame pattern such as the famous "Melo pearl" or "Queen conch pearl" come from a mollusc who's interior is non-nacreous, hence producing a non-nacreous pearl(with different degrees of flame pattern from very little, to a lot). The Nautilus shell, in comparison, has a highly nacreous interior!! Very iridescent! So it, in no way, is going to produce a non-nacreous pearl with a flame pattern. It is going to produce a pearl that is highly NACREOUS(if it is even capable of producing a pearl). The Nautilus' interior is highly nacreous because its mantle secretes "stuff" it is able to materialize into "columnar" nacre of fine aragonite crystals which bounce light around in cool ways that would give its pearl iridescence. (bivalves have "sheet" nacre). The mantle of a mollusc that is capable of making a flame patterned pearl does not have the ability(and maybe the 'stuff") to produce the type of aragonite crystal structure that gives iridescence(but there may be some perpendicular needle-like aragonite crystals), hence a flame pattern only.

Slraep

 

[kojimapearl]

Looks like a clam pearl to me.

 

[Slraep]

Some kindda clam, some kindda pasty complexioned conch....

Both pearls and non-nacreous porcelaneous lumps(oids)(with or without flame) are calcareous concretions. Both spring forth from calcite except that in a pearl, the calcite present is in a very fine crystalline form called aragonite.

So even though a pearl and a non-nacreous porcelaneous lump(oid) are both calcareous concretions, a non-nacreous porcelaneous lump(oid)(even a round one) is not technically a pearl. A pearl has nacre, has iridescence, has sheets(bivalves) or columns(giant sea slugs) of fine aragonite crystals. A non-nacreous porcelaneous lump(oid) has no nacre, has chatoyance(flame or mosaic)(maybe), has no sheets or columns of fine aragonite crystals(or if there are some, they are needle-like and light does not bounce off them in the same way as in nacre).

Slraep

 

[DrTKStern]

CIBJO Pearl Book, pdf version. Doublechecking, both nacreous and non-nacreous pearls are recognized and defined, so indeed Allah is a pearl, albeit an extremely ugly one!

Hi to all,

Most interesting comments about these non-nacreous gems not being pearls, when CIBJO says they are. Who is right?

Regards,
Tom

 

[Slraep]

Another contender MIGHT be an albino Triplofusus giganteus(horse conch)?? They sure are purdy.

 

[Slraep]

Who is right?

The CIBJO wants us to use our grey matter and imagine that the big-and-gross, bad-mojo-generating-cold-lump-of-lard lamentably known as "The Pearl of Allah" and all its lesser lumps of lard "relatives", are true pearls????? Enough written! I rest my case!!!

Perhaps having normally working eyes should override what any of the dudes at the CIBJO say. Unless one is the pitiable owner of the said lump or getting commission for its sale.

Slraep

 

[Pearlgully]

Hi Slraep,

Unfortunately, CIBJO isn't the only one that will certify just about anything!

http://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=23227


Gail

 

[Slraep]

Hi Slraep,

Unfortunately, CIBJO isn't the only one that will certify just about anything!

http://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=23227


Gail

Hi Gail,

Aha! When I wrote ""The Pearl of Allah" and all its lesser lumps of lard "relatives"", that is one of the relatives I meant!

The Pearl Professor blog had an article about the same lesser lump of lard a while ago and all I can say is that it was an exact mirror of my own sentiments! I also like Caitlin's suggestion that it might make a good garden rock. It might be just the thing to get rid of troublesome neighbourhood wildlife(maybe even all neighbourhood wildlife) who will surely avoid it like the plague.

http://www.pearl-professor.com/2008/09/its-pearl-its-brain-its-super-pearl.html

Slraep

 

[kojimapearl]

SLREAP, please do not rest your case! That was the fist time I belly laughed from this forum.
More power to the grey matter..

 

[DrTKStern]

The CIBJO wants us to use our grey matter and imagine that the big-and-gross, bad-mojo-generating-cold-lump-of-lard lamentably known as "The Pearl of Allah" and all its lesser lumps of lard "relatives", are true pearls????? Enough written! I rest my case!!!

Perhaps having normally working eyes should override what any of the dudes at the CIBJO say. Unless one is the pitiable owner of the said lump or getting commission for its sale.

Slraep

Hi, All,

Reminds me of walking through a museum in Paris which displayed a mixture of art on its walls. One group of enthusiasts clustered around a painting recently valued at $35,000,000 by the bidding marketplace. And someone in the crowd crowed, "But it's not really art, in my view!"

I chuckled, because in fact the painting was ugly, unredeemably chaotic, entirely outside the borders of good taste, suitable for flooring in a public men's bathroom for drunks, where in fact its inspiration may have originated. But there the painting was, a reality accepted by cognoscenti as art, regardless of my opinion, and some fool had paid so much for it. Confident of my superiority, I felt entirely justified in scorning his bad taste, and the equal ignorance of all the others who had bid millions.

Still, deeper than my opinion, I wondered how the others could possibly be so misguided. How could I understand the buyer, and his dunce's point of view about art? Is it that beauty originates in the eye of the beholder? To a mother crocodile, is not her baby a beauty? But in the case of this particular so-called art, I prophesied to myself that one day it will find a home in some junk heap. In the end, I could not resolve the question beyond the old, "to each his own," and resolved to move on.

Best to all,
Tom