◂ BACK TO GEM ENCYCLOPEDIA
Pearl
Perfect shining spheres. Lustrous baroque forms. Seductive strands, warm to the touch. Pearls are simply and purely organic.
See Gem As
Tools
Research
Natural Pearl Aggregates from Pteria Mollusks
Ten loose pearls with interesting shapes and internal growth features were from Pteria-species mollusks.
Natural Pearls Reportedly from a Spondylus Species (“Thorny” Oyster)
A rare look at natural pearls from a known Spondylus species, commonly called “thorny” oysters.
Observations on Pearls Reportedly from the Pinnidae Family (Pen Pearls)
Examines the internal structure, chemical composition, and spectroscopic features of 22 pen pearls.
Books: Unique by Design: Contemporary Jewelry in the Donna Schneier Collection
Review of Suzanne Ramljak's Unique by Design: Contemporary Jewelry in the Donna Schneier Collection.
Books: Ruby & Sapphire:A Collector’s Guide
Review of Richard Hughes’s Ruby & Sapphire: A Collector’s Guide.
Books: Kentucky Agate:State Rock and Mineral Treasure of the Commonwealth
Review of Ronald McIntosh and Warren Anderson's Kentucky Agate: State Rock and Mineral Treasure of the Commonwealth.
Books: Jewels of the Romanovs: Family & Court
Review of Stefano Papi’s Jewels of the Romanovs: Family & Court.
A Large Baroque Tridacna Gigas (Giant Clam) Pearl
This giant clam pearl was noteworthy for its size and interesting coloration, and its pronounced banding when viewed with transmitted light.
Books: Heavenly Bodies: Cult Treasures and Spectacular Saints from the Catacombs
Review of Paul Koudounaris’s Heavenly Bodies: Cult Treasures and Spectacular Saints from the Catacombs.
Books: The Art of Bulgari:La Dolce Vita and Beyond, 1950–1990
Review of Martin Chapman and Amanda Triossi’s The Art of Bulgari: La Dolce Vita and Beyond, 1950–1990.
Shell Pearl as a Pearl Imitation
Examination of commercially-available “shell pearls” reveals imitation material.
