Recently, the authors examined a natural nacreous pearl from the Mytiloidea superfamily of marine mollusks. The gray and violet button-shaped pearl weighed 4.13 ct and measured 8.70 × 8.46 × 7.91 mm. Under magnification, distinct natural curved striations were observed on the pearl’s surface, resulting from unusual stacking of its nacre layers. Regularly spaced microscopic gaps within these striations allowed incident light to penetrate the inner subsurface layers of the pearl. When gently tilted away from direct light, these small rays appeared as radiant streaks resembling shooting stars (see above). This intriguing surface phenomenon was reminiscent of a meteor shower traversing the night sky.
Rajesh Patel is a senior staff gemologist at GIA in Mumbai. Abeer Al-Alawi is a consultant to GIA.
Recently, the authors examined a natural nacreous pearl from the Mytiloidea superfamily of marine mollusks. The gray and violet button-shaped pearl weighed 4.13 ct and measured 8.70 × 8.46 × 7.91 mm. Under magnification, distinct natural curved striations were observed on the pearl’s surface, resulting from unusual stacking of its nacre layers. Regularly spaced microscopic gaps within these striations allowed incident light to penetrate the inner subsurface layers of the pearl. When gently tilted away from direct light, these small rays appeared as radiant streaks resembling shooting stars (see above). This intriguing surface phenomenon was reminiscent of a meteor shower traversing the night sky.
Rajesh Patel is a senior staff gemologist at GIA in Mumbai. Abeer Al-Alawi is a consultant to GIA.
