Precious Gems of Organic Origin: Animal, Plant and Oceanic Jewels

This is where we will discuss precious materials from Animals (Ivory), Plants (Amber) and Sealife (Pearls, corals, shells)

Ohhhh, baby!! Poils! you couldn't pay me to wear amber, way too sappy ;-D

Hey, with a big enough whole critter in it, I'd do a Lady Godiva for Amber... What color Poils? I brought back a $20,000 (or was it $45,000) necklace for Gi's bridal shower in Tahitian Black ones...!

Well, I'm not a big fan of the pinky or peachy colored ones, but I'd never turn down basic white or Tahitian Black. I remember the necklace for Gi's shower or were there two? One was gorgeous. Am drooling right now over a gorgeous single Tahitian black pearl, sandwiched between two bezel-set diamonds on an 18K white gold omega chain. Cover of the Bailey Banks & Biddle summer catalogue. Only $1,800. A bargain compared with Gi's necklace, but only one pearl of unknown mm. Love these non-eco topics. ;-D

There was a long necklace of large pearls and one with a pendant, I believe. They were smashing, no?!

(And I much prefer shiny bright object than angst - any day!!!)

Gi's jewels... Oh they were magnificent! Wish they were mine in real life too ;-)

I'm back again. I love the Tahitian black pearls. They are so expensive. One day though I plan to at least get the ear rings.

I thought I would settle for a nice cleveage dangler with substantial gold which I would match with the earrings. Or a clavicle hugger... But, at the rate I am going, I shall just admire the ones on other people. The way I figure it, why buy something I want to see and admire then put it on me where everyone except me can see it. My earrings are usually plain ones.

From the number of black pearls I've been seeing out there, am wondering how many are truly natural vs. dyed cultured pearls. I'm going to have to scan that single black pearl necklace in for you to see, Marcia. It says it is Mikimoto but I know that company's pearl beds are in Japan. Thought the black ones were only found around Tahiti, or do you think Mikimoto is seeding its oysters with something to create black pearls in greater quantities than found naturally?

Mikimoto has established pearl fisheries in the Tahiti - Tonga area. They do it the same way as in Japan, but use the oysters native to the black pearl area. It seems they are very successful. Be aware there are "bargain" black pearls out there which are dyed. Just be sure of your jeweller's integrity and his source for them.

(Marcia)The way I figure it, why buy something I want to see and admire then put it on me where everyone except me can see it. That was very well put, Marcia, and I'll try to remember it when I can't afford some jewelry I like!;-D *But*... my favourite jewels are rings... :-(

Mine, too, Gi! I need about 10 more fingers to accommodate what I have...and toes, too?!

Do American ladies wear several rings in one finger, like the Spanish and Portuguese do? ;-)

yes....especially stack rings....

All depends on how long one's fingers are. The stack rings I have are all very narrow, but I still have difficulty wearing more than two because of how short my fingers are.

finally, women are following the finest style of jewellry designs.

Hello, Helen, Welcome. I have long fingers, and on my "wedding ring" finger I have a plain gold band (wedding ring to keep unwanted mashers away) topped by a guard, then my Alexandrite, then another guard on top of that. I do have a friend who stacks all sorts of very valuable heirloom rings on her fingers and it looks trashy...even though she has a huge amount of money festooning her fingers. Things should sort-of go togehter, imo.

What are guards?

i showed the alpha male the orbis rings and he thinks they're silly. there are petite styles and huge styles, necklaces, and earrings. the max stack rings i wear are three on my right index finger. they were my grandmother's (diamond, ruby, and sapphire all set in silver). but if i wear them, i limit the other rings. maybe just my anniversary ring and another silver on my right hand. i don't care for the look of rings on all fingers, but some folks just want to wear everything they own at once.

guards are rings designed to wrap around a ring. they're also known as wraps. some are designed with two bands where you can slip a solitaire in between. they're to enhance the solitaire. some have gems and some are plain.

In my case, guards are plain little thin bands which keep the Alexandrite solitaire in place on top of the wedding band and set it off a little. Wraps actually interlock with the solitaire and are lovely - much nicer than guards. Ring guards can also augment your original plain wedding band and make it look wider and more elegant if they are done is stones or cutwork.

A place to talk about jools!? Gi's were so nice. Having been brought up to be a Southern Belle, I used to never leave the house without at least one piece of jewelry, but with time (a great deal of it, it seems to me), I went on a sabbatical. I can't even stand to wear a watch; things seem to interrupt the energy pulsing underneath my fair skin. I'd like to wear a pendant watch if I could ever find one I liked. And yes I know they're _so_ over; that's precisely the time to wear things, in my book. But abo t jools. I'm so boring. Diamonds, pearls, sapphires, the end. Nary an emerald has ever lain upon me. Once an exhusband bought me a jade necklace, but I returned it; way too expensive for the amount of time I'd wear it. I mean, you can't just go around wearing jade any old time, unless you're Chinese, or can you? Maybe it's just that I've become more minimalist. One really great piece. As long as it doesn't block the flow. I was given a lot of amber in Russia, since they're so fond of it, but since I'm not I gave it to Russians stateside and made a lot of people happy.

Wow! Welcome dear...we have two Jool topics in here. The inorganic stuff is down the numbers a ways..and there is a nice discussion of CF in Vulcanism (you'll see why!) *lol* is there any way we can keep him from cropping up in our conversations?! And, if we could, would we really want to? Pendant watches on long, swag chains pinned up at the left shoulder is "the" way to wear them - I have my Grandmother's in turquoise enamel and gold. It is exquisite, but arrived into my keeping without the swag. I shall never afford one strong enough to hold it up there, but it is still gorgeous! You can wear Jade Anytime in Hawaii. Any kind, any style, anytime. Lots of it, too.

Time to wax lyrical about Amber. Love the stuff but have only three tiny pieces none of which have any bugs or interesting inclusions. I am working on the Geologist kid to get me one, but he keeps getting them for girl friends who then part from him. I am his eternal mother...oh well. Back to the Amber... Tree resin...over time hardened into something like plastic but still containing the fragrance of the original tree sap. If you are a romantic like I am, you will appreciate these two wasps captured forever in amber in the act of mating.

Ooops! ...they are not wasps...they are scavenger flies, as it plainly states!

how did you know i wanted to talk about amber too? as i was waiting for the topic to open, i was putting together my amber statement. anyway, i was thinking, wouldn't it be neat if i could find an 8mm amber bead to put in my orbis ring? wonder where i could find one....any ideas?

Funny you should ask...I happen to have a few URLs for you of amber dealers: http://goldray.com/amberlady/ This is the gems and fossils webring http://www.webring.org/cgi-bin/webring?ring=gems;list

I did an google search for "amber" and came up with several dealers... this one is the best, but it is sometimes "down" (poor English, but I think you know what I mean...) http://www.kadets.d20.co.edu/~lundberg/amber.html

thank you thank you thank you!

Let us know of your success. I know they have beads loose for stringing in some of those wholesale places...! It would be lovely in your Orbis ring!

(Marcia)Let us know of your success. Yes, please! I don't own, or wear, much jewelry (less and less, actually), but enjoy reading about yours, and always enjoy looking at it in stores :-)

here's a scanned image of the only piece of amber i own. marcia, i sent this pic to one of your amber sources and also asked for pricing on an 8mm bead.

How pretty! Thank you for scanning it. Unfortunately, amber is very soft and as a pendant on a ring, it will get abraded rather quickly losing its luster. Be careful with how you wear it! I still think enclosed in your wires of the Orbis ring is the best way to wear it...all save and sound inside the protecting captive mounting.

Lovely, Wolf! Although I would never wear an insect, however well encased in amber, I guess i might wear a leaf or a flower if there are any around.

lotsa ferns...I think...

Talk about having the world on a string...You can capture it for your Orbis ring Gi's gift:

I love that little world - it's gonna show up a lot. Thank you Gi Dear !

You are very welcome!

Oh My Dear!!!! How darling...Thanks for such cute and different little gems for Geo. *grinning ear-to-ear*

Let me get in here a minute. As a former manager of a Tahitian Black Pearl Store, let me say that Mikimoto is not in the Black Pearl business, as much as he supplies seeders to the Tahitian growers. This is for a fee, and also in exchange for a much reduced price on Blacks. Face it; the Japanese are the most successful in the world at grafting oysters. How to tell if a pearl is a Tahitian?... size IS everything. The PINCTADA MARGUERITIFERA oyster, known as the black lipped oyster, produces pearls between 9 and 15 mm, with some larger ones on occasion. I have sold a matched set of three bronze Tahitians at 13mm, and have handled one beauty that was 25mm. If a pearl is under 9mm, the chances are over 90% that it is a dyed white pearl. The only exception is if you have proof of growing location, as the Marquesas islands are growing some smaller ones in their colder water, but the color is not as good as it should be.

Lance! E Komo Mai! I am delighted to read your post. We have needed an expert in the business...and you will be ours, please? Which color of Tahitian Black Pearls is the most costly and which the least? Given that the size and shape are not part of the equation. Yippee! We finally have someone who really knows his pearls...*grin*

As I recall, Your Tahitian Black Pearl is mounted in a gold scallop shell and suspended in your suprasternal notch by a slender gold chain which makes it appear to float there. Most attractive...

Size and shape ARE the equation. Color is the most subjective catagory, and totally a personal choice. My experience says that dark, shiny greens and rainbows of green, blue, and pink are the most prized, but not always. Luster and depth of color are far more important. If a pearl is highly lusterous, and the color seems to emanate from deep inside, not just painted on the surface, it is a much better pearl. Size comes in after the pearl is 12mm. From 9 - 12mm, the price increases steadily. From 12mm up, it increases exponentially!A good 12mm could retail at 800- 1000, but a 13 of the same shape and color will be 1000 - 1500! The 13mm's I sold went for 12000 as a set, due to their size, rare color, and exceptional luster. My rule-of-thumb is that you should go by the color of your skin. Lighter skinned people should wear lighter pearls, say light greens, light blues, pinks, greys, and combos. Darker skinned people should wear darker greens, true blacks, as well as combos. Get what you like in co or is the only way to go. But get the highest luster and the best depth of color possible for quality.

This man K N O W S his pearls!

Thanks.

Then, by saying that size IS the equation, there is not a rare color or combination of colors? I cannot believe some you showed me are all the same price aside from the gold mounting. They were all about the same size but what a variety of colors they were! This is the best collection of colors of black pearls I could find tonight. Comments, Lance?

I think if I am ever fortunate enough to own one, I am taking him along with me to guide me in my choice...*grin*

Hi Lance! Any samples or rejects? Since you mentioned that Mikimoto was not in the black pearl business, I went back to my old comments at the beginning of this topic. I questioned that too, but Marcia said that Mikimoto had established an operation in Tonga. I still have that Bailey Banks & Biddle catalog with the simple, yet elegant necklace on the cover (which I will scan in one of these days). The Mikimoto trademarked name is there, as well as on a page with their overpriced regular pearls. I've never understood how anyone could wear such a huge pearl on a ring, which is how I see them used all the time. Criminy, it would get banged up and nicked. It would probably come out of its mounting and get lost. If anyone had a long strand of them, no one would believe they were real (pop-in beads more like). Earrings work ok for me. As a former manager of a Tahitian Black Pearl Store, let me say that Mikimoto is not in the Black Pearl business, as much as he supplies seeders to the Tahitian growers. This is for a fee, and also in exchange for a much reduced price on Blacks.

Marcia was quoting Mikimoto's web site... I shall look again to see what they are saying these days in preparation for Lance's return. I hate to disseminate erroneous information...aaarrrrgh!

I always said the only way I'd have my ears pierced was if I had the offer of a Karat Diamond for each ear. Black pearls might also be an inducement, but I still say, if I am gonna wear something that lovely, I want to be able to see it, too. A pendant is excellent. As for the ring, one wears them only to the opera, restaurant or cocktail party. Pearls on fingers are not a everyday item. Detergents will ruin them! (Lance, where are you? Did I err?!)

Karat Diamond for each ear. Works for me too. BTW, what's the topic number for mineral-type gems? I have a question for you.

http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/Geo/8/new

Another type of natural colored pearls: History of South Seas Pearls Throughout history, the most beautiful pearls were natural South Sea Pearls. Extremely rare, these pearls were by far the largest pearls in the world, and possessed a wonderful array of natural colours and shapes, and emitted a distinctive warm glow from their thick pearly nacre. Found in the large, rare and beautiful Pinctada Maxima shell species, these wonderful pearls were considered to be the "queen of all gems" by many cultures around the world. The habitat of these extraordinary shells (also known as the "Silver-Lipped Mother of Pearl Shell") is confined to a small area of ocean commonly referred to as the "South Seas", centred around Northern Australia and South-East Asia. For centuries, pearlers dived for these exotic shells for the valuable Mother of Pearl for the world's button trade. Only occasionally, pearls were found inside Mother of Pearl shells, and these pearls were regarded as a rare and valuable bonus to any pearler's catch of shell.

http://www.tahiti-blackpearls.com/ is the official website of Tahiti Black Pearls. They have some really lovely specimens from prominent jewellers. Harry Winston has a killer bracelet, and Mikimoto presents this:

The deep colors of black, gray, pink, and bronze pearls:

Oh my... *jaw dropping* Am consoling myself that I don't have the neck to wear such a thing. Is there surgery to elongate a neck? ;-)

My personal favorite (though the above one would do nicely, I think...) Pearl and diamond parure consisting of a necklace, a removable pendant and a pair of pendant earrings for a total of 18 carats of diamonds and 33 pearls.

And I have a swan neck I am always hanging things around to distract the eye from its length...

In the category of "this should never happen to beautiful natural gems: Yellow gold necklace with Tahitian pearls, rubies, cabochons and brilliant-cut diamonds.

I'll go shopping at the site later, but I noticed that there's an auction coming up soon. BWAAA

You're v. right. That is truly hideous. Who is the designer?

Gilbert Albert. I went through all of the jewelers on the left column. Stunning pearls! Wait'll Lance sees'um...! Luckily I have Nothing that goes with that last one...that goodness *grin* Yeah, I noticed that they were having an auction, too...*sigh*

...thank goodness...I was overwhelmed by the last gaudy item and got it all wrong...*lol* I'd love to see the prices on some of those, but "if you have to ask...."

Nothing like posting the wrong pictures and text in the wrong topic and doing it three times to get it right...! *sigh*

Shoot! And I was expecting to see more purty things that I couldn't afford. ;-)

I shall - but megaliths for around your neck is not what you wanted to see. Promise more tomorrow *grin* I need to see them, too *sigh*

So much for "tomorrow night..." Lance has not abandoned Geo. He is back working on his degree and has to prioritize his time. Geo comes pretty far down the list of things to do, I'm afraid. But, as long as I am here, he will not be far away.

I'd like to ask about a gem which is currently very popular in jewelery designs -- tanzanite. What is it exactly? I mean, I know that rubies are chemically the same as sapphires. Actually they're just red sapphires, just a lot more rare than other color sapphires, consequently worth much more. I also think that emeralds and aquamarines are chemically similar, but I might be wrong on that.

wow! those pearls are gorgeous! thanks lance for jumping in with some expertise. i've never really cared for pearls although i have a pearl bracelet still waiting to be restrung (creamy colored-don't tell me it's fake and dyed and stuff)....*plugging fingers into ears and singing "lalalalala"*

tanzanite is intriguing and only now gaining in popularity, cheryl, which is why they're expensive these days. i bought one right before the boom in a 10K setting (marquis center and trillion sides) i've had it checked and it's tanzanite and beautiful! the color changes when you tilt it and with the light by which you view the stones. according to my gem book, tanzanite is a variety of zoisite. (wrong topic, sorry marcia 8grin*)

Thanks, Wolfie - you're spot-on with your Tanzanite. It is the only clear and flawless form of Zoisite - discovered totally by accident in 1967. LOLROTF...I can just imagine you with fingers in your ears and singing so you cannot hear what you don't wanna hear. I'm with you! I have Lance in my tender care. He has exams today and this week so it will be a bit before he is able to post again. I shall tell him he is appreciated, however *smile*

I love pearls, the subtle irredescence of their colors. They impress, without being flashy. (There's nothing wrong with flash, sometimes it's great.) I saw the most beautiful pearl necklace in New York. It was black Tahitian deep water pearls set in platinum, very spare and elegant design, possibly Japanese. The necklace looked really good in Cartier's window; and given the state of my finances that's were it stayed.

I have that picture, Cheryl! Or at least one of Cartier's creations:

That's pretty much it. The one I saw was very slightly different, but not much. Thanks. Now I can enjoy the image. I really do love the way pearls softly diffuse light over there surfaces.

Anyone ever see a pearl this color? Spiral brooch in yellow gold, set with trapeze diamonds, Pendant with round diamond, trapeze diamond and one 14.42 carat pearl.

I do not own anything in real pearls whatsoever, but they are exquisite and flatter the wearer no matter who. Someday...perhaps...

This pearl has the lovliest color but I do not care for the setting: A brooch/pendant in yellow and white gold set with rose-cut diamonds Drop earrings with a leaf design set with 230 diamonds weighing 9.95 carats, a 35.68-carats Tahitian pearl and a 31.58-carats white pearl on white and yellow gold.

Nope. I have never seen a reddish pearl. I've seen rose pearls, they're pink, but never anything which looked so red. There are very large orange pearls which come from a type of shellfish which live off the coast of Viet Nam. I have some high quality cream colored faux pearls, which have ground up pearls in them. I quess the pearls which were ground were a little too irregular to qualify as baroque.

Your pearls sound lovely. I have mentioned the orange pearls up topic somewhere...they are pretty but only as objects, I think - unless you are a die-hard Tennessee Fan (the University of Tennessee's colors are orange and white) Here are two rings Karen worried about wearing and harming the high-mounted pearl:

You're right about the large orange pearls pretty as objects. As far as I know they're not used in jewelery. But you never know when you'll see some die-hard Tennesee fan on tv sporting an enormous orange pearl. The broach/pendant you posted was little too much. The pearl was beautiful, but the setting -- in a word, gaudy. The rings are beautiful. I understand why Karen would worry about the high mounting, and pearls are delicate as gems go. Some people won't wear a large pearl set in a ring at all.

Cheryl, I don't know what is happening with Yapp and Spring today but when I deleted the multiple posts of the pearl rings, it took your posting with it. Could you please comment again?

those rings are a bit much for me and so was that brooch! but the red pearl, it looked translucent. it's real? have only heard of the black and creamy pearls but red and then orange?

I give up. Your post showed up again and so did another set of rings. I'm gonna leave them alone until it settles down.

I think I can. You're right the large orange pearls are admired as objects in their own right, as far as I know they're not used in jewelery. Although you never know when you'll tune into a college football game and see a Tennessee fan sporting a large orange pearl. I agree with your assessment of the pearl broach/pendant; the pearl is exquisite -- but the setting is in a word, gaudy. As for Karen worrying about the high setting of the pearls, I can completely understand that. Pearls are delicate as gems go, and some people would never wear a large pearl in a ring because of that. The rings are beautiful though.

Those big heavy rings are set in solid platinum! The red "pearl" looks like a polished ruby or garnet or whatever, but you can see through it. Gonna send it to Lance to see what he says. Sorry for all of the mess here. Three repeats of those rings we did not need here!

Now, for being so patient and helping me through the Yapp software mess: Double-strand necklace of 64 pearls totaling 640.4 carats and diamonds totaling 7.71 carats. Matching ring and earrings.

Here are a group of South Seas Pearls Some colours have become more popular than others in particular markets.(eg. white in America, silver in Asia, gold and fancy colours in the 1990's) This sometimes causes a price premium on the particular colour. This factor varies over time and with fashions and due to the dictates and changes in fashion, colour will never be as important a measure of quality as lustre. Colour categories of Australian South Sea Pearls: White (including white - pink) Silver (including silver - pink) Gold (yellow) Fancy (including champagne, apricot, peach & rose) Tip: When purchasing a pearl, the best colour is the one that looks most attractive on your particular complexion.

oh boy, this wolfie is drooling! couldn't you see that pearl necklace set on a woman wearing a simple black dress with nothing else to adorn her? upswept hair so the necklace would be seen. oh, how lovely!

That one is my favorite...with the diamonds sparkling and setting off the pendant earrings and necklace. Yes! Absolutely plain black dress...upswept hair...Long neck...elegant bearing...exquisite!

Another South Seas Pearl in a lovely setting:

now i like that one! very pretty and elegant!!

A red pearl? That's a new one for me. Unfortunately, what's the use of having it when it looks like a cabochon red something. :-( Getting back to those precariously set pearls, I couldn't wear it. I'd be petrified that it would get knocked out of the setting and I'd lose it. I'm not that worried about nicking it, but losing it. Look, ma, no pearl. Speaking of which, I got a pearl ring as a present from my grandmother ages ago. What was really bizarre is that a rod went through the pearl. It had been drilled. No way to lose that baby and I got to play with it all the time, twirling to my heart's delight. One last word on Tanzanite (aside from wanting to kick myself for not buying it while there) is that you'll rarely find large stones. Back to our regular organic subject... Fabulous pictures, Marcia. That's all I needed before I head off for slumberland.

All pearls which are not strung are set on posts and epoxied into place. Nothing will dislodge them but you can bash them in against a brick wall or whatever. Wear them to the opera - not to weed the garden. Gonna send that red pearl to Lance right away...See what he says.

That's true about the epoxy and the posts...but but but I really can't take a ring that's sitting a couple of feet above your knuckle.

I agree with you...I'd be hitting it against everything. Even with that massive platinum setting. They are not for me!

Lance was kind enough to give me a reasonable explanation for the pearl which looked like a ruby: What happened is that the flash has accented the color beyond normal. It is a burgundy, which is rare, but I have seen them. They are lovely.

a burgundy? but why does it look so translucent? and karen, i've only seen smaller pieces of tanzanite. wonder why that is.....

Bounce reflection fooling the eye? I'll have to check it again...

http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/Geo/18.79 Ok, I checked and can see how it could be a pearl. Flash distortion.

i looked again, guess it's not as translucent as i had originally thought. think it was that flash shining on it that did it. it's still beautiful, but never having heard of i would've thought a pearl that color was fake. very pretty!

He suggested a $15,000 price for it...but probably just for that pearl. All those diamonds are gonna cost ya (especially with a one-of-a-kind hand-crafted piece of jewelry.)

For Lance who is a black Kelt of the Welsh sort and all others who celebrate St David's Day by putting a leak in their hats:

For those who have known and love the Welsh language and people: Cymru am Byth

i've only seen smaller pieces of tanzanite. wonder why that is..... So far, that's the only way they've found it. Just forms that way, I guess. The same goes for peridot in Arizona and a lot of the neat colored sapphires from Sri Lanka and Australia. Big formations appear to be very rare.

OK, got another type of pearl for y'all: but the one I have is closer to this one, long and simple.

Gnarly!

that's quite a change from all the round pearls. it looks more natural to me. lovely, karen! marcia, what's the phrase mean?

aarrrgh! I have misplaced my Welsh Dictionary, so I will have to rely on Anne's Welsh-speaking husband for a translation, unless someone comes to my rescue before she gets online. I'm not a fancier of lumpy pearls, but Mabe' pearls are beautiful.

I love Mabe pearls. As for lumpy ones, I wouldn't mind a strand of baroque pearls. They're not perfectly round, just a little irregular, but more or less round. As for round pearls, what can you say, the white-cream ones look like miniature moons. Which is perfect. The moon causes tides, and pearls come from the ocean. I once saw a strand of beautifully matched blue pearls; they mostly blue, but had the most wonderful green-gray, slightly peach sheen. I hope someone knows what the Welsh phrase is. I think the word "Cymru" is what the Welsh call themselves, or is it their country? Or both?

I sent it off to Anne but she is not yet awake, I think. They are the Cymri and the country is Cymru. If I had to guess, I'd say "Wales forever" - like Erin go bragh (or however that is spelled) for "Ireland forever". Those silvery to orange South Seas pearls I posted the picture of back a few postings just might be like those pearls you saw. I just am not fond of baroque pearls which look like painted wads of chewed gum. Some do! I like braided ropes of baroque freshwater pearls interspersed with garnets and gold spacers.

Agreed, some baroque pearls are a little too, err, lumpy. They should atleast be mostly spherical, only just a little asymetrical. We haven't really touched on freshwater pearls. I do like them. Not as refined as ocean pearls, but charming in their own right. Garnets and pearls always make a good combination.

...and here they mix them with rosy-orange coral and peridots and they look like little flowers interspersed amongst the pearls. They are mostly warm-weather jewelry rather than sea pearls which are more formal and are for all seasons.

I'm really ambivilent about coral. I love the orangy-rose color, but I worry about coral reef destruction. I do have a piece of jewelry of a very politically incorrect substance -- ivory. No catcalls, please. It's vintage. I received it as a birthday gift, a carved ivory carnation stick pin, circa 1910. So I can wear it good consceince.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pearl/freshwater.html is a great resource from a NOVA program on growing pearls. Pretty pictures, as well. There are some really good freshwater pearl places on the web but the pictures are pathetic. This one has good links and pictures you will find hard to believe - like the one mussel shell producing 10 or more beautifully-colored pearls. http://www.pearloasis.com/freshwater.html These are the most beatiful pearls I have seen from the luster point of view. South seas: Tahiti Black:

South seas: Don't worry about reef coral. Precious coral, whether black, oxblood, or orange do not grow as reefs. They grow like little trees all by themselves planted in the sandy bottom like separate rose bushes.

That is the most beautiful pearl. It is perfect, perfectly shaped, perfect lustre. It really is exquisite, which is a word very often misused, but not in this case.

um....don't tell anyone...but I have a whole necklace of Ivory (yes, the worst kind) carved to replicate pikake (jasmine) blossoms. I have never worn it and it is an antique. Totally legal. I just don't want any dead elephants around my neck!

That is the most beautiful pearl. It is perfect, perfectly shaped, perfect lustre. It really is exquisite, which is a word very often misused, but not in this case.

I'm delighted you like that black pearl. I had to make that image mine when I saw it and to share it with you. It beggars the language to find words praiseworthy enough to describe its beauty. The South Seas is not bad, either, but is far behind the black one in luster.

the black one looks metallic.....

I have all sorts of hematite beads and hunks and polished pocket stones. They have a very hard brilliant luster which lacks the depth of that black pearl. I should hunt up a picture of one such for comparison - off I go!

i've got a hematite band ring. very shiny grayish black.....don't wear it very often though.

Cymru am Byth = WALES FOREVER!! hematite earrings: More pearls:

What I am seeing as differentiating the hematite from the pearl is that in the luster of the hematite I see a cold steely-blueishness and in the pearl I see a warm slightly yellowishness or golden sheen ... does this make sense?

perfect sense!

Thank you! I also have ring guards of hematite, and of carnelian and of Jade and onyx (black) Don't wear mine much, either, but they are lovely in an arrangement on my specimen display-go-round.

a ring guard of hematite? sounds neat. my hematite ring was one of those $5 jobs you find at festivals and such.

So is mine a $5 one. I got two of them ('cause they are skinny and the jade and carnelian are fat ones) Next time you see one, get another one and put a silver or gold band between them - or that Avon amethyst...! I have little hands and small fingers so I try to keep larger stones from rotating under my hand by putting guards around them. The Alexandrite has two thin braided gold bands either side of it to keep it on top of my hand and to set it off. Looks lovely!

the hematite band is 1/4" or so wide. much too big to put that little amethyst between.

No wonder. Mine are only 1/2 that wide. The others are like that, though! I'll bet it is pretty!

all of the ones on that display were that wide. will have to look for one smaller, next time. it bothers my finger because of the width.

I know about the feeling on your finger...and in warm humid climates moisture tends to stay under there and soon your finger is less than well and the skin starts coming off. Not a great thing!

all the rings come off at the end of the day (maybe sooner during the summer)

g'night marcia dear! (stayed up toooo late last night)

*g'night Woofie *hugs*

Hello Everyone! Looks like something got started here. As Marcia said, I've been in Mid-Terms, and trying to pick a school for next year, as I'm at a Community College now. Now, for a few comments. On entry 47, if you number L-R,[1-8], #'s 2,7,& 8 are the rarest, and 1,3,and 4 are the most common. Karen- If you can afford to buy it, you WILL be careful. This is feedback I've gotten from customers. You are very aware of the piece, and change your body movements to accomodate the pearl. Marcia- No, Detergents ARE terrible. Oil from your skin or Ex.Virgin Olive Oil are best for storage or for brightening up a pearl. I disagree, entry 60 is a KILLER piece!!! I'd love to have a crack at selling that! Wolf- From your description, I'm 99% sure it's real. A good fake cream is hard to find. #75- Thanks, Marcia! #81- The pearl is a Bronze/Brown over another layer of Burgundy/Black. VERY rare 4 color mix! Not a "South Seas" pearl to experts, but Australian Gold Lipped oyster pearls. Grown on the North and NW coasts. HUGE size, 15 - 30 mm.! Also, excellent Mabe. The tip on choosing is spot on perfect. 113 and 114 and definately baroques, probably freshwater from China from the snowy shade. The photos have been bothering people with the colors. Understand, please, that pearls are actually crystalline in structure. They are composed of calcium carbonite formed into crystals called argonite, and held together in a protein/tissue matrix. This makes pearls the only stone that can absorb and hold oils and water. There is even a debate over whether pearls are alive or not because of the tissue in the pearl. But the argonite causes light to bend when directed into a cultured pearl in a way that a traineed eye can see the core irritant, and use that to help determine the quality. A pearl that is large, but has little nacre,[or pearl coating], is not as valuable or desired as one of the same size that has a thick coating. Pearls that stay in the oyster longer have more coating, but also risks flaws developing the longer it stays. Number 79, the burgundy, is a good example of how to look. You can plainly see the dark circle in the center, which is the core. It is a rare color, but not quite as thick a nacre as I would like. But since these oysters are pulled up and x-rayed yearly to check on pearl growth, I would have extracted that one myself. Good size and perfect shape! Marcia- Thank for the Flag. Lovely.

Whew! Thanks! I have to check back and see what things refer to...but I am as sure he is right about it as anyone on earth can be. I appreciate it. I am more than ever positive Lance is going with me when / if I ever own a real pearl of any sort!

#114 Tennessee freshwater and baroque of course. :-)

Karen- Thought that was Tennessee! Saw them when they first hit the market. Not bad quality. Photos better than I thought it would. Fooled me. As good in photos as Yalu Chinese.

Sheesh...gotta go back and look...I'm lost!

I found a shot of tennessee freshwater pearls which were orange...peachy orange. You'd have to root for Tennessee to wear them! I'll post the pix tommorrow.

Sorry, decided to go to sleep. Yes, they're Tennessee. The one I have is not as "gnarly" as the second, Marcia. It is about 1-1/2" in length and a long oval shape, set with tip guards on the two ends. Very simple. It has to be one of my favorites and I wear it all the time.

tennessee pearls? (i get the color and rooting for them) they grow pearls in tennessee? (am a total duncecap today)....

http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/gemstones/sp14-95/pearls.html Demand for U.S. freshwater pearls is a function of quality. Quality is determined by the size, color, shape, degree of translucency, texture, ability to match and blend, and luster. Usually, the quality of U.S. freshwater pearls is as good or better than any other pearl. The possible exceptions are the availability of round pearls and the ability to match colors. Yet, it is thought by some that these exceptions are not detrimental, but that the variety of shapes and colors available are advantageous and are positive selling points. To date, 31 different States have reported production of freshwater pearls and shell. During 1993, 18 States reported production, they were Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin. The bulk of the shell and pearl production came from Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, and Louisiana. Figure 6.--Freshwater, Pearls from Tennessee. (Photo is courtesy of American Pearl Co.) There is some U.S. production of saltwater pearls. Abalone from along the Pacific Coast, primarily California, produce both blister and free pearls and their shells are used for inlay in jewelry and other items. The pearls are green, blue-green, yellow, or pink in color and may have high luster, but the texture is always coarser than that of other pearls. Some of the pearls are very large, as large as 60 carats each. It also appears that attempts are underway to start a saltwater cultured pearl industry in Hawaii. The Hawaiian industry would be based upon saltwater oysters. Only time will tell of the success or failure of the abalone and Hawaiian cultured pearl programs. It appears that the U.S. freshwater shell and pearl industries are well and growing. The pearls are beautiful, valuable, and the consumer is willing to purchase and wear them. The oldest of U.S. gemstones is doing well and its future is bright.

Where is Lance when I need him?! How do carats equate to size in mm's? Btw, his 12 mm Tahitian pearl is quite large - and very noticeable on him - and he is a big guy. It is, however, protected from getting oiled by his body by the gold scallop shell in which it is mounted. I have noticed him fingering it a lot, though... Another Tennessee example which is not so extreme: Nature's beautiful gift, Tennessee freshwater pearls are all pearl, all the way through. These three lustrous, Tennessee freshwater pearls are nestled in free-form 14k gold tracery. Price includes shipping and handling. Sabrina - Pearl Ring USP1$448.00

carats = weight Re: American pearls (also from those websites) Apparently, the mollusk shells are exported to Japan and they form the nucleus of most of their pearls.

I realize carats = weight. But, I can visualize a 2 carat diamond. I cannot relate to 60 karat pearl. 12 mm I can visualize. I would imagine that the makeup of the pearl also affects the weight so it may just be a rough estimation. I am sure he has an excellent answer which I will let him post in here rather than email-and-post the answer. That gets to be an old thing! Ah...they are not only seeding the pearls, they are seeding the stream beds, as well. Interesting!

Btw, those USGS websites I posted the URL for above has a page on every gem and a lovely picture or two. It is a great resource.

cool beans. ok, now another dumb question: cultured pearls; does that mean they have the sand planted in the oyster (or mollusk) to develop a pearl?

Geo Motto: There are no Dumb Questions. On occasion I may give dumb answers, but the questions are what keeps us going! Now, Onto Wolfie's question... They usually have a shaped pellet placed in them (until Lance can get here to tell you) They used to use small glass spheres. Yup! You are correct! See?!

so you'd be really lucky, then, to find a "naturally" occuring pearl (and probably have to dive real deep too). i have a picture of buddha casts placed in an oyster for pearalizing (in my gembook).....

I've never heard carat used with pearls - only mm. Was that in a description up above? Since we were on the subject of opals (on the other subject but does anyone care), they aren't measured in carats either. Love them mabes too.

Cultured pearls are real pearls, but the deep water pearls have a mystique and romance. But both can be very beautiful.

Some of those jewels I posted had the pearl weight rather than size listed. Curious! Opals have water in them so they cannot! I have something to post on opals shortly...working my way over to the hard stuff!

If this duplicates what Lance said last night in his posts, please forgive me. He said this regarding the image of the solitary black pearl of great beauty: It's got very nice luster, shape, and depth of color, but I would need to see it personally to judge the color itself. It appears to be a bit lacking in brightness, something which many value, but my experience says the average consumer doesn't want. Most people want more brilliance in the color they choose, not just in the luster.

Since I did not make it clear who wrote the stirring and poetic comments on http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/geo/2.13 It was Lance who wrote those words, not David. Dave is usually deep in the lava fields just ahead of the flow front. Lance, when you visit Hilo again, I hope you will be able to show me how lovely that must be.

marcia, give me the name of your "how to buy jems" book...i looked and looked all over a bookstore and found nothing....

Simon and Schuster's Guide to Gems and Precious Stones

that's what i thought, thank you!!!!

They have a companion book for rocks and minerals which is also excellent

i saw that one....when i go back, i'll pick that one up too!

They work very well together...and they are sitting on my book shelf right next to me! Great photos as well. Enjoy! I got the set for David, as well!

I have found the perfect Mothers' Day gift. It's a 36" strand of freshwater pearls with small accents of amethyst, blue topaz, citrine, and peridot. Very pretty. I think Mom will like it.

do ya have a pic?

This mom would love it!!! But, this mom is not going to get it, I think. Please post a picture or send it to me and I will post it!

Couple of quickies.... #154- carats ARE weight. I don't remember the correlation, but try mommes. That's the Japanese measurement for pearl weight. On #160, a good point was raised. Surprisingly, there is no difference in price between cultured and 'natural' pearls on the open market. There probably should be, but if there was, it is thought that the pearl oyster species would soon be extinct in the mad search for pearls. As far as the core, or seed, goes, it is logically now made of rounded pieces of the same mollusk shell that is being grafted, i.e., black-lipped shell for black pearls, Tennessee mussle shell for Tennessee pearls, and so forth.

I much prefer the size designation. We are used to a one or half carat daimond and think everything else of that weight should be that size. Wrong! CZ's weigh twice as much as diamonds so a 1 carat CZ is half the size of the same weight diamond...and so on. Thanks for the information on seeding the oysters. I was taught it was an irritant that caused the oyster to secrete nacre to smooth over the rough places. If the seed is not rough will a pearl for anyway? And, how do they get them to make Mabe pearls? Lance, we have missed you!

Oh, yes. Anything in the right place is an irritant. Just ask anyone who wears false teeth! The seeds are smooth now to encourage smooth secretions by the oyster. Mabe pearls are made on the shell. A small form of plastic is glued on the shell, sometimes more than one at a time, and the oyster is then going to coat that with nacre. By the way, Tahiti and Australia started a good ecological trend with they're oysters. Because of the rarity, the oysters are babied in special nets, harvested after a couple of years, the good ones then are placed back in to breed a year, then implanted again. This can go for 2-3 cycles. On the last cycle, the Mabe pearls are made, as the oyster must be killed to harvest the shells. Sound ecology, that.

I am suddenly even more of a fan of pearls than ever before (but still without same)... it is good to know they are not sacrificing one for one to harvest the pearls. Too bad they cannot make a decent pearl out of a tridachna!

I imagine drilling would be facilitated by having the same material at the center than a foreign pellet of differing hardness. Not a great place to have the drill bit go off of center line!

Not just drilling is improved, but the cement used to hold the pearl in place will hold better by being formulated to one substance rather than two.

Yippee! Good morning, Lance. Incredible to see you *happy me*

Stronger bond was something I did not think about as regards the inner post adhesive. Definitely an advantage. Thanks *hugs*

What sort of number of Black Tahitian Pearls are harvested each year? Is there a cartel involved, such as DeBeers is in diamonds, to keep the prices high and the investment value intact?

Or the Austalian or Tennessee pearls, as well? America has another gem claim-to-fame but I am posting it in Geo 8 to keep it on topic.

There it is!! (the one in lower right) Finally got around to scanning Mikimoto's Black Tahitian cultured pearl necklace. Its in 18K white gold, with 2 bezel set diamonds on a gorgeous omega chain. Price was $1,800; now is $2,000 according to the latest catalogue from Bailey Banks and Biddle. I don't know the mm of the pearl, but does not look to be any larger than 8 mm (by my practiced eye) ;-)

Probably could've scanned the entire catalogue, but here's another from the Mikimoto page that I liked and could definitely wear this to an upcoming wedding.

Ooops. Let me try this again:

OOoh, Me too. I love the mounting for the white pearl, but it would be stunning with a black or aubergine Tahitian...*sigh* How much is the set with the white pearls? Thanks for the eye candy.

White pearl necklace (18K white gold and diamonds) is a very reasonable $2420. Matching earrings are a mere $1650. Shall I order them for you? Or can we get somebody to knock those off for a tenth of the price or less?

It might be better to pay extra and one of us get one specially made with black pearls, while the other gets the white pearls. It would make for a nice change. Same setting, of course...or, do you fancy the black one being set in yellow gold?!

BB&B does not know the meaning of discount unless a great deal has changed sinceI was last in their proximity.

gorgeous pearls, karen!

Don't we each need a set? I would not turn them down...

Yes! (am having a hard time: "new roof? necklace?" "new roof" necklace?" terrible dilemma)

Decisions, decisions. New roof -- necklace. You can get many years of use out of each of them. Actually the pearl necklace will outlast the roof, so as far as value for money goes -- the pearl necklace is the better investment. It just isn't the more practical choice. Karen it is good to see you posting on the gems topic again. If you're not the goddess on this subject, you're an avatar at least.

*sigh*....i know...i know...

Good eye, Karen. From the price, I judge the pearl to be approx. 9 - 9.5 mm. For a non-professional, very good estimate. Ladies, if you happen to live in an area where there is a pearl specialist, you'll get better quality AND price on Tahitians than from a BB&B, Zales, etc. The Big boys don't carry the volume to get quality, unless you can go to Cartier's or Harry Winston. They carry very nice pieces at reasonable prices, considering the quality of workmanship involved on the setting.

As to how many are harvested, that is an ever increasing number, as more producers enter the market and production techniques improve. Mikimoto has a lot of control due to their supplying most of the men for the implant surgery. They have teamed with the largest producer, Robert Wan, in an unofficial cartel. I have no idea about the Aussie's plans.

*sigh* It is SO good to see you here....(melting in my chair)

hi lance! (and marcia) and i'm the 200th post, what's my prize???? *laugh*

....Ummm...let me think about that. *grin* I know what you'd LIKE to have....

indeed you do, marcia dear!

*grin* but I cannot get that for you so getting something second best...*giggle* ...or third ...or fourth...

oh marcia!! *laugh* (can't wait for your next box!!) i've gotta go! g'night luv *HUGS*

Lance, interesting stuff, and not surprising that Mikimoto is doing a DeBeers maneuver with Tahitian Black Pearls. Keep them stockpiled, scarce and pricey so businessmen like you can get rich enough to afford women like me *grin* Wolfie...heh...heh...

Thanks for all the additional info, Lance. If I were really serious about that necklace (which I can't be right now), I'd go directly to someone in the business as I have for er...other items and driven them quite crazy. Wouldn't there be a problem with the setting and design being exclusive to Zales/BB&B? When I've hit our Jewelry Row, they don't have access to the high-end designer stuff who work exclusively for certain stores.

The Merrie Monarch Hula Festival opens tonight (see Media - you can watch it live on the internet,) and The Black Pearl Gallery has some specials. Never saw one this blue: Ocean Swim This necklace has the look of a whale's tail, in 18k yellow gold and diamonds. This excellent quality pearl has a brilliant blue green color. The surface grade is A, and the form is semi-round, measuring at 9.7mm. The chain is 20 inches long, done in 18k yellow gold.The diamond weight is .08 karats. Order Now $1,575.00 Plus Ocean Blue This stunning necklace has excellent quality round pearls. The pearls are slightly graduated from 10.8 - 12.3mm. The primary color of the pearls is blue.The surface grade is B-C. The setting is 18k yellow gold. Look for the matching bracelet: Stock #: BRH43413501 Order Now $13,158.90 Plus Harmony A beautiful necklace that highlights the color range of the Tahitian black pearls, from light silver to deep blue. These round pearls are excellent quality, with a surface grade of A-B. This strand is slightly graduated from 9.-12.7mm, with 18k yellow gold spacers. There are 36 pearls strung on black silk to make a stunning addition to your jewelry collection. Order Now $24,300.00 Plus

Magnificent An elegant design with 18k yellow gold, diamonds, and an excellent quality round pearl. The surface grade is A, and the pearl measures at 12.2mm. Rainbow is the way to describe the colors that this pearl reflects. The chain is 18 inches in length. The VS diamond weight is .25 karats. Order Now $3,440.70 Plus Unique Beauty A exquisite necklace with two beautiful round pearls. The surface grade is A, and they measure at 12.5-12.8mm. The color of the top pearl is silver blue, and the pearl below is dark blue. The chain is 18k yellow gold, 20 inches in length.The diamonds add just enough sparkle. Total diamond weight is .80 karats. Order Now $7,897.50 Plus Marvelous A stunning necklace with all the right elements. An excellent quality round pearl, surface grade of A. This pearl measures at 13.8mm, and has a blue green color. The setting is 18k yellow gold, with diamonds and sapphires. The diamond weight is .50 karats. Order Now $17,082.00 Plus

Oooh, wee, Marcia. I like that Harmony design and that lariat. Somebody have a tree that grows money?

check out the url (the longest I have ever seen!) for rings http://shop.evolutionh.com/pageexpress/templates/merrie.wml&ViewStore=Yes&CategoryID=7&subcategoryid=25&siteid=32&ViewProductList=Yes&sessionid=2000428112911115&pageid=0 Sun and Moon This double pearl enhancer pendant looks great on a strand of pearls, or on a variety of chains. The pearls are very good quality, both being round, and have a surface grade of A/A. They measure at 11.-10.9mm. The color of the top pearl is silver, and the pearl below it is dark blue. The setting is 18k yellow gold. Order Now $1,756.80 Plus Drop of Love This enhancer pendant has a sweet teardrop pearl, with excellent quality. The surface grade is B, and it measures at 12.mm. The simple design of the 18k yellow gold and diamond setting show off the rainbow color of the pearl. The diamond weight is .04 karats.This enhancer pendant will clip onto any strand of pearls, or can be worn on a chain. Order Now $580.50 Plus Shipping

House male just sed " are these in geomyth??"

I love the Navy blue ones - Never saw them ! Can't wait till Lance checks them out. I thought you might wander in to check on the goodies I was posting. You seem to have second sense for when I am doing so *grin* Aloha, Karen! I would not turn any of them down, but the lariat is stunning and versatile...!

*wishful thinking* I'm getting an ordinary cultured blackpearl choker, necklace and bracelet and earrings for my upcoming birthday. It's on order.

Tell house mate that there is nothing mythological about these beauties excepting the ability of the posters to afford any one of them. They are stunning, indeed, and the luster...! The most expensive one had the largest pearl and was photographed so poorly I nearly did not post it. Marvelous is its name, and it is the largest pearl posted. Lance's is 12mm when you look at these. I am privileged to know someone who owns one of high quality and appreciable size. It is stunning on him...hmmmm....wonder if he'll ever let me wear it...*smile*

What is the origin of the pearls, Maggie? (How lovely!!!)

The Daily Mail Newspaper I think!!!! *grin*. They're nothing special, but rather fashionable right now in Britain. He's sent off for them. If it says where they're from when I get them I'll let you know. House male was referring to the prices (he was trying to be funny and springical). The jewels leave him dead (typical). I thought they were stunning.

The jewels leave him dead (typical). Quite right. v. umimportant. ;-) Hmm, Marcia, I saw lots and lots that I'd give somebody's eyeteeth for. I've never been much of an enhancer fan, but am making an exception for these. Unfortunately, my pearls are too long, but if I double them and then add a clip in the back, they are a double cho-chokers.

beautiful!

Am in a terrible quandry trying to accessorize dress for this weekend's wedding. Of all the stuff I own, the thing that looks best with the dress is costume jewelry!! Can you believe that? Am miserable and will be working to figure something out.

Mute wolfie? I goofed and posted the strands of pearls on Geo 8. They would make lovely accessories. How about a scarf and a good brooch rather than a necklace, Karen?

For those of you who prefer a simple strand of pearls: Heart of Paradise This silver blue strand has excellent quality pearls. The form of the pearls range from round to semi-round. The surface quality is primarily A grade, with a few B's. This 16 inch strand is slightly graduated from 8.5- 10.7mm. With 42 pearls strung on black silk, and a 18k yellow gold clasp, this is the necklace to keep forever. Order Now $26,550.00 Plus shipping Heart of Tahiti This is it! The finest collection of Tahitian black pearls on one strand of black silk. There is nothing but excellent quality round pearls on this piece, 43 pearls total, with a surface grade of A-with a few B's. This strand is slightly graduated from 8.8mm to 10.mm. What stands this strand apart from the rest is the high luster and bright green color of these pearls. The clasp is 18k white gold. If nothing but the best will do, this is it. Order Now $33,750.00 Plus Shipping

Gee Marcia, which one do you plan to order? Has anyone been to North Carolina where you can pick up amethyst, sapphires, and even just walking through the pasture.

If I could... I'd use the bead enhancer on a really thick gold rope or byzantine chain. I would probably need to see them in person, but those indigo blue ones are incredible. I'd have to take Lance along with me to advise on quality. Stones are my field of expertise. Pearls are his. Which would you chose?

Lance is around North Carolina, or has been, anyway. We'll have to ask him about it.

(marcia, i hit the submit button accidently). i'd have to try the necklace on to see how it looks.

(we all do that...!) Perhaps they's let you borrow the one in question for the evening to see how it feels...*sigh* In my dreams...!

Scarf and a brooch? Naw. Evening thing. IMO scarf is for daytime. Don't even own any brooches. Ah, the misery of accessorization (if that's a word). Now, if you could FedEx one of those necklaces for me to *try out* this weekend, I'd be much obliged. And I have always wanted a be-yew-ti-ful byzantine and (knocking head against wall) that other one that's like a byzantine. grrr

Wouldn't one of those bead enhancers look Sooo much better on a rich thick Byzantine?! Oh my...enough to make me think of parting with some of my emortal soul just to get one. Evening is more difficult - the pearls you already have will not suffice?

um..yeah...can't immediatly think of the one which looks like a Byzantine but would do equally. I have a large magnified phoney one and I know what you mean *head on keyboard* arrrrrgh!

I'm madly in love with the Heart of Tahiti. But oh the price -- over $33,000. Still, those black pearls with a white gold clasp. Then there's always the Ocean Blue, which is merely a little over $13,000. I can't afford that one either. I'll just look at them longingly.

Join us with noses pressed against the monitor glass! Have Drool Cloth handy!

I love pearls. They are about the only jewelry I wear. My son sent me a beautiful string of black pearls when he was in Oman. They are much smaller than these though.

Well, I chose the most expensive and huge ones they had. How lovely that he did so...I did not know they were available in Oman..! But, they have the $$ so it figures!

Had some time to kill today and popped into BB&B to see THE actual necklace. v.v. nice. Omega was a lot thinner than I'd imagine and it was a 9mm pearl. Wouldn't refuse it if someone gave it to me. Remember the white set? Didn't like it in person. However, there was another necklace there with some dangling white pearls which was much more reasonable in price and I would really really like it. Will see if it's in the catalogue somewhere. (Did I say I would really really like it?) ;-)

Please scan it if / when you find it, please! To bad about the white not living up to its billing. It looked so lovely and refined and elegant...oh, well. None of us would likely refuse it if it were given as a gift *grin* Yes, you did =)

Since this is the last night of Merrie Monarch Hula Festival and neither Lance nor I can ascertain whence commeth the lovely pearls, I saved every last image for future enjoyment just in case they close down the website. In that case, I'll post them all again (small KB/per). However I am posting two I had not seen earlier - one for Wolfie (guess!) and one Karen can share with me... Jump for Joy This happy dolphin is leaping over an excellent quality pearl. The form of this pearl is a drop, with an A grade surface. A rainbow of colors is reflected in the surface of this 8.8mm pearl. The setting is done in 18k yellow gold. Chain sold separately. Order Now $607.50 Heavenly This slider pendant has an excellent quality round pearl. The surface grade is A, and this green pearl measures at 9.7mm. This 18k white gold setting with diamonds is available in 18k yellow gold. The diamond weight is .19 karats. Chain sold separately. Order Now $1,652.40

Ugly chains...Druther hang my on a silken cord than those snake ropes! Oh well.

Share? Wishful thinking. Snake chain isn't too bad, although I hate how they catch the hairs on the back of your head. Eowww

love it!! (not the chain though)

The chains are Yew-glee to the max. Did not want to detract from the enhancer, probably. I'm gonna post one each time I post in here (or two) since I saved them all last night before they ended the Merrie Monarch deal.

They had a "Treasures Of The Czar" exhibition at the St Petersburg Art Museum Catherine The Great's wedding dress was one of the subjects shown. It was solid pearls and weighed over 40 pounds. Gorgeous.

bet she was glad to take it off (well, maybe)

can't have been very slimming ;-)

Catherine the Great was happiest out of her gowns, if her reputation is to be believed. Intelligent and restless, she liked intelligent men around her for conversation. Sounds like someone I know....

me,too

*grin* G'morning, Wolfie!

No, it is not true that Catherine II, Empress of the Russias, died while having to have sexual congress with a horse. That is what is known as a factoid, an ungrounded rumor which takes on a life of its own.

Um...did anyone Really think that happened? Sounds like petty sniping taken to a new low!

...and, Yes, I had heard it, too...

Aloha, Lance. If I am not here when you login and post, I welcome you with warm Alohas and fragrant leis...*Hugs* Wehave missed you!

From one of the most peculiarly named urls (luv it!) http://www.uselessknowledge.com/explain/pearl.shtml How do you make a cultured pearl? Sing to an oyster? No - irritate an oyster! About 4,000 years ago the Chinese discovered pearls in oysters. The inside of an oyster's shell is covered with a smooth shiny coating called mother-of-pearl. When an irritant, such as a grain of sand, gets caught inside the oyster's shell it secretes layers of mother-of-pearl to protect its body by coating the irritant. The coated grain of sand becomes a pearl. Man can force the oyster to produce a pearl by inserting an irritant into the shell. It takes the oyster two to three years to produce a good size pearl. Cultured pearls are usually not perfect, but the Japanese have discovered that if you surgically insert an irritant directly into the body of the oyster this will produce a perfect pearl. Historically, pearl divers dove up to 80 feet with equipment no more sophisticated than nose clips. The divers could stay under water for about a minute and they scooped up the shells with their hands and put them in tubs that would float to the surface. The largest pearl ever found is reported to be four inches around and two inches long.

My friend Dawn called me today to show me the pearls she was giving to her daughter for her wedding. Her great great grandfather gave them to her great great grand mother on their wedding day. He was the captain of one of the tall ships that sailed to and from the orient. He had the necklace made in Japan especially for her. They are given to each daughter to wear on her wedding day and then they go back into the safe deposit box.

Tell us what they looked like! How special! They will disintegrate without being worn, btw. They need to be in contact with body oils to sustain the luster. It will chalk up otherwise!

They are really beautiful. Quite a long string about 20 inches it looked to me. they are strung every five years on silk. They wear them for special occasions. Each daughter gets them on her wedding day and on her 30th birthday when she gets to keep them for a year. They are kept in the safety deposit box when they aren't beihg worn. All perfectly matched. They have a very slight pick glow to them. They are very creful to take good care of them. They have lasted for over a hundred years. They restring them themselves because they are afraid of them being switched.

They are wise about the restringing!!! How delightful to be able to wear such regal pearls with the slightly rosy cast - and how lovely they must be on a beautiful bride. *sigh* Thanks, Lucie!

Okay Marcia, I'm here. But I warn you, you'd get much more out of me if the Vulcanism topic was actually about Spock ;-p So...the topic is pearls, yes? I'm afraid I don't know all that much about it, but like all good females I have an opinion ;-) Even though I rarely wear them, I love pearls--so milky and round and sensuous, are they. When I graduated from high school my parents gave me a strand of pearls. At the time, it was THE thing to have. I went to a very proper sort of high school where all the cool girls wore pearls and I often felt out of place because of it. It underscored the difference between us. Most of them were the children of diplomats and CEOs. My father installed safes for a living ;-) On the upswing, that profession allowed him to become friendly with many jewellers, hence the graduation gift. I heard somewhere that pearls represent tears. Anyone know if that's true? Doesn't seem very appropriate to me as I've always considered them such a friendly, warm kind of thing.

Sweetie, Did you graduate from New Rochelle High School? I did and it is/was an exact copy of your high school! For our senior pictures we HAD to wear dark sweaters and a strand of graduated pearls. Mine were not real at the time since I was headed for Penn State and a dorm room was not a good place to take good jewelry. I'm still waiting for my first strand of real pearls. Thin you might be interested in Vulcanism - purty pix in there of eruptions. Cfadm wanted to work the local varsity team's name into a topic, so I did on Geo2. No pointy-eared stoics in there! Welcome, and Mahalo for posting. I am honored by your presence!

I'll bet that Mr. Spock would know that Vulcanism gets its name from Vulcan the Roman god of volcanoes, fire, and the forge.

Indeed, and he would be incredulous to find that the Hawaiian team from UHHilo chose Vulcans as their team name. Most curious, but it was the UHH ones for which the topic was names. Sorry, Spock! Well I tried another white stony horizontal bar. I call these coprolite...

much better! *grin*

Still look like chewed straws *lol* but at least they have more dimentionality than the wrought iron ones did. Thanks, Wolfie...but there is still something lacking - need long skinny white one which do not look quite so abused!

Lance is in deep *bleep* - nothing heard from him yesterday... so much for devotion!

(Marcia) Sweetie, Did you graduate from New Rochelle High School? I did and it is/was an exact copy of your high school! No, not in New Rochelle but it sounds like a similar place. For our senior pictures we HAD to wear dark sweaters and a strand of graduated pearls. I'll do you one better: for graduation we had to wear floor length white gowns and carry a bouquet of roses. Of course, all the girls had their pearls on as well. It looked like a mass wedding... (Marcia) No pointy-eared stoics in there! Hey, hey...watch it! His blood burns under all that stoicism. It's the quiet ones who leave bruises (ooop! I didn't say that) ;-p (Cheryl) I'll bet that Mr. Spock would know that Vulcanism gets its name from Vulcan the Roman god of volcanoes, fire, and the forge. Aah, well that would explain why the planet Vulcan is so hot and...red ;-) At least someone did a little research before giving it that name. All hail the Roddenberry! ;-p

I am trying to imagine carrying bouquets of roses - but they were nosegays. *sigh* luckily my grandmother told me about the old days when ladies carried them...;) Oh my! I think I have a short list of where you might have gone to school....betcha it was all girls...that frustration makes us lusty for life, ya know! Can that be the cause of all of that drool?! It is so good to see you posting in my conference. I am truly amused and honored by your comments! More on Vulcanism elsewhere, but like all volcanoes they are cold and unresponsive on the outside ant 2000�F on the inside!

LOL! No, it was a co-ed school, but very, very small and very, very Catholic. All that repression definitely has something to do with my drooling. My graduating class was 37 people so, since there weren't many choices, everyone had...er...dated, for lack of a better word...everyone else during those 4, glorious years. By the end it was positively incestuous ;-p Aren't you sweet...no need to be honored, honey...I'm in a chatty mood ;-) I have to find a topic here I know something about, though. Can't contribute much, ya know. What other Conferences do you host?

Crafts, Garden and SpringArk I co-host with Wolfie. Maybe History, not sure. Hey, check the attic and basement. Maybe you can find something for Geo 17 Archaeology? I have topics all over the place - Hawaii in travel and loads in Food *grin* Geez, sounds like you went to Rye Country Day!!! Did you make your debut, too??!

Oh, and since when did you need to know anything about anything to post in here. If you use confifty you will see I am all over the Spring and I know just enough to get myself into trouble in almost any subject! Gi and Elena and Alexander discussed the fine points of tango in Bioresgions....! We drift off topic with some regularity. Please take off your shoes and make yourself at home...and think of something which would look better than these coprolite horizontal bars!

(why? I've grown rather fond of them (bars that is)....... shoes are definitely off, onto second cup of coffee since house male has gone back to sleep and not drunk his ... definitely not on topic ..... babble .....yawn ..... sorry, very late night last night)

How about some gray-green marble bars.

then I could make the hyperlinks green too....must not clash, you know! Did not find any skinny long green marble ones and the fat ones are just out of proportion... I'll play with it tomorrow when I will not disturb the sleeping Spring. Wiggling toes...ahhh!

Then Nan will get an email...*grin*

LOL Maggie - you are too much *hugs*

(Marcia) Then Nan will get an email...*grin* :-) As I said, feel free to ask. If you found a bar you did like, but was the wrong color, I can certainly change that for you.

Gotcha *hugs* and thanks!

my oma gave me a three strand amber necklace. it is made of polished nuggets and due to age, it appears to have lost moisture. will inspect it closely for bug leftovers! because i don't want to ruin it completely, won't wear it during the summer here. i'll scan it in for you later.

How lovely! Check for those little critters in there. Can't wait to see it!!

i know i promised a pic of oma's string of amber. but last night, i had it under my big magnifying glass (the one i use to cross stitch) and found a bug. i almost fell out. it has legs and wings. now i'm afraid that it was put in after the fact. but, the age of this piece is apparant and i don't think it's fake. but still. so i'll try to make a decent scan and see if we can get a good pic of this bug.

here's the piece with the bug. i don't think you can see it though...

Wow, can't see the bug, but it is a beautifully clear amber. Take care of it - it is very soft. I am so envious.

it has numerous chips in it. wonder if i can use the magnifying glass and the scanner to help you see the bug. i'm telling you, it's in there! i had to tape that piece down so it would lay on it's side. it's too bad you can't see it. and i scanned the whole necklace but the pic came out so big that even lview couldn't handle it. will have to rescan and try again.

Send it to me and let me try to downsize it. Hard to tell I am dying to see it.

http://www.qvc.com/asp/frameset.asp?nest=/scripts/detail.dll?frames=y!tpl=tsv!item=tsv&mhproduct=mastheadptsv.gif&mhtitle=mastheadttsv.gif this is a link to qvc's today's special value--a single tahitian pearl with a chain.

and if you check this out a day after i've posted it, you'll need to do this: http://www.iqvc.com and type in the search button the item number J66118.

Ok, Ijus tgot sent to Richard Simmons' get skinny offer, Hmmm. trying to tell me sumthin? Even Walmart had Gorgeous Black pearls here this year. Sears too. I did not get one - think I am destined not to ever have one. Which is ok. lots of stuff I don't yet have. Alexandrite back on finger... not going to remove it.

did you try the second link with the item number? you just put the item number in the search button (the richard simmons is for today's (jan 1) special value)....

try this link: http://www.qvc.com/asp/frameset.asp?nest=%2Fasp%2FIsItemNumberRedirect.asp&search=SQ&frames=y&referrer=QVC&txtDesc=J66118&x=19&y=10

Thanks Wolfie, that is a great price and a nice size. Really pretty! Oh, heard from Lance! The dear is up to here in finishing his degree so he can think about Black Pearls more of the time and even post a few things for us again. Happy Me!!!

Okay, Wolfie and Marcia, 'fes up -- are both, or either, of you the proud owner(s) of some beautiful black pearls?

Not I...not yet. Not even a single pendant, which would please me exceedingly.

me either, tempting as it was!

Yup, I see them every day I go shopping in various stores including Walmart!!! I want one in a silvery or purple shade... I think, but would turn none down!

wal-mart has them? wow!!

ours also has Aloha Shirts....

The question is would you wear your silvery or purple pearls with an Aloha Shirt? Or would you only wear the pearls with a vintage, circa 1950, rayon Hawaiian shirt?

*scratching chin pondering* (not that a wolfie would be caught in pearls and a hawaiian shirt, mind you *grin*)

...and Mu'umu'us too...I wear them with my mu'umu'u (long dress in aloha print in any style) We coul dhide lots of Wolfie fur under a long Muumuu

i knew a lday who wore mumu's because they were the only thing that fit (she was a rather large woman)....

The one I wore yesterday (and got to give John a hug and kiss - f rom both of us, Wolfie) is sleeveless and has a hig neck with a a ruffle around the bottom... and around the square bodice, It is fitted till just above the waist and under that square. From there down I could fit a team of linebackers in with me. Hides a multitude of sin, as they say...

i dunno, i can't picture myself in a mumu (thanks for that hug & kiss to John)...are they prettier these days?

I have one quite lovely and form-fitting with an almost off-the-shouder look to it with a big ruffle - then a little flare at the hem so I can walk in it. Quite elegant also is my brocade Chinese style one....

A form fitting mumu, who knew? Marcia, just when did you hide a team of linebackers under your mumu? Wolfie, if you can't see yourself wearing a mumu, maybe your wolflings could use it as a pup tent? Ouch. Sorry for that pun.

that was my thought exactly!! didn't know you could get mumus form fit!

Hi Wolfie! Have you seen any beautiful pearls lately?

nope! you?

You haven't been to Walmart lately, either???? Oh dear, if I tell yo when I hid linebackers under my muu I will have to kill you...and I like you too much for that =) Mu'umu'u here is simply something either in Hawaiian print fabric or anything dress to the floor which doesn't look like a prom dress. They can fit or be styled in loads of ways. will post some pictures in the Travel Conference under Hawaii topic!

Wolfie, I did see some beautiful cultured pearls in a jewelry store window. They were having a 25% sale on Mikimoto pearl jewelry. Mostly classic round cream pearls, but they did have an ethereal soft luster. Marcia, forget I asked about those linebackers...I'll have to check the travel conference.

me too and the local wal-mart!

Oh yese... haven't gotten that done yet... must do that... get off IM and Yahoo and to travel to post. Sorry! Mikimoto I can afford a seed at a time and grow my own. Even the air in the stores is to expensive for me! Lovely stuff, though!

HAPPY GRADUATION, LANCE The peart expert of Geo has a brand new college degree and I sent maile to him for the part of his heart still remaining in Hawaii. This time he gets orchids freshly picked from the volcanic soils near Hilo.

Lance will return. Newly endowed with all the rights and privileges appertaining thereto his degree from Guilford College. I could not be prouder.

congratulations lance!!! can't wait to see you here again!

Today Lance goes through the tassel-switching ceremonies. He did ask last week for the url for this topic. I told him we have been very busy. I think he will be surprised and delighted. Since he cannot wear orchids for the ceremony, I sent him a Maile lei from the slopes of Mauna Loa to wear as they do here. It was the "graduation present" request when I insisted in sending him something. I hope it arrived safely yesterday as planned.

Congratulations Lance!

Marcia, how does a maile differ from a lei?

Maile is an aromatic vine with glossy green leaves. They use it to bless new establishments (commercial or private) and it is never cut. Rather it is entined and unentwined to keep the blessings and healing qualities intact. Even dried it retains its aroma. Old leis are usually put into linen storage closets or drawers. Maile is never strung on string as gflowers are and never worn with the ends tied. It hangs gently around your neck and down either side of your torso to about waist length. Maile Lei The exotic Maile Lei is made from a vine having 1-3 inch long oval, leathery, pointed leaves that grow in pairs. The bark and the leaves of the Maile vine have a vanilla-like fragrance. The lei is fashioned by twisting or knotting the bark and leaves together in an open horseshoe style. The maile vine is becoming increasing rare due to its exotic appeal. It is frequently a favorite with men due to its masculine appearance and sensual light scent.

To CherylB, Wolfie, and most especially Marcia H: Thank You all so much for your kind words. Yes, I have finally graduated, and now will have time again to join in on topics. I look forward to exchanging quips, quotes, other such bon mots with everyone.

Of all the precious organic gems in this topic, Lance is the most precious! Welcome home, Dear!

You'll have to wait until the end of the week to get that hug up close and personal. I can hardly wait!

so good to see you back lance!!!!

Poor Lance was running full tilt last night till 3 AM getting reacquainted with Geo and other places on Spring where I seem to appear. It is very good to have him return to us. He can make me laugh whenever I am completely burnt out.

Congratulations Lance! I will add my warm welcome for your glorious return in Geo. I am newer than you here and I live in Greece. Your heart is golden if I understand well. Have a good career in your science. John

I visited with Lance this past day and he can tell you better than anyone else how well my actuality compares with my virtual reality. It was very good to talk with him again. In fact we were so wrapped up in sharing what had happened since last we met that all I seem to remember eating was a shared pizza. There are times when food no longer matters. The conversation and the company is everything. This was one such time. John, I told him about you, and caught him up with the new members and how the regulars are doing. He will return but he will also be out of computer range for some of the rest of this month, so be patient.

Marcia was so right about that! Hi, John; nice to meet you, as Marcia has spoken VERY highly of you. I believe that Marcia has created an online persona that is only a small fraction of the totality of who she is. 'Ware this woman, oh ye of oerweaning ego! She can puncture a balloon as easily as brainstorm with someone to new heights. Quite a gal, our Marcia!

By the way; Wolfie and Cheryl: Have you seen the new freshwater pearls coming from China? Some are gorgeous. I picked up a baroque pair of earrings for a young friend that were so beautifuly colored, I had to look very closely to see that they were not small Tahitian blacks. Plus, because they were freshwaters, I got the earrings from a crafter at the Hilo Farmer's Market for only $7/pair. Good bit of thickness of nacre, for what they were, too. Going to see if I can work up a connection for myself. Anybody got craftiness hiding in their repertoire?

Hi Lance, Wolfie and Cheryl Marcia is very interesting and able woman. We know only a small part of she�s abilities and knowledge. It is not coincidental that she has created this perfect Geo conference almost from nothing. She has to say something correct for everything. She has spoken VERY highly of you too. I am glad to meet you here anyway. I have also only good words for all geo-friends around the world. Now about the Chinese freshwater pearls. If pearl farmers can grow cultured pearls that test as naturals, the market may be in for a wild ride ...Once again the Chinese have radically altered freshwater culturing, making saltwater and freshwater techniques indistinguishable. They have also introduced a new type of culturing, nucleating with small tissue-nucleated pearls. Some of China's new pearls are all-nacre, some have nacre-coated nuclei, all are unmarked. After one experimenter used small off-round naturals as nuclei, he sent the resulting freshwater pearls to a gem lab and received a report identifying them as "naturals." If pearl farmers can grow cultured pearls that test as naturals, the market may be in for a wild ride... http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pearl/freshwater.html John

I am sorry for the above image. I will try to post it again. John

hang on a sec---a pearl is the result of an irritant inside the oyster. so how could a pearl test as unnatural? ok, and i have another question, at disneyland, we came across a kiosk with oysters and you were supposed to pick out an oyster and pluck the pearl (for $12). then, you could choose a setting for them (i don't think that was included in the $12). are these "real" if we go with what i asked above, then they are real just planted pearls, right? since it takes a long time for the oyster to cover the irritant, how is it that the farmers make them so quickly? do they put something the size of a pea inside the oyster?

oh, hi lance!! welcome back!!!!

Hi Lance! Lovely to see you back amongst us and Big Hugs of congratulations for your brand new college degree. Take a well-deserved bow. Btw, about those pearls in the Hilo flea market, Of course I missed them due to lack of means to get to them. Next time buy them and I will reimburse you! China is fast beating all markets in all manner of things. How nice they are making beautiful pearls affordable! *SIGH* (I think what Lance said about me is flattering. He should know. He hugged me just a few weeks ago! and he has know me for over 20 years...)

The cultured black freshwater pearls you bought sound beautiful, Lance. What a great price, as well, $7.00 for the pair! The pearl market may well be in for a wild ride. As for Marcia, well she is the Goddess of Geo, or an avatar, atleast.

Hi Cheryl I can answer that we are small Gods, all of us. We are a miracle of the nature but we need a miracle to save Nature from us. As for avatars, they are counterbalances for our nervous system. Each one of us is rated on his efficiency. But for good or not good feelings main role has the personality. John

Avatar or not, this little lady is incredibly unhappy. I have my computer back and all is swift and working well. Except for AOL which is determinded to keep mme from both thenet and geo and sending email from my aloha.net address. Worse yet is the difficulty with Yahoo. I could access it yesterday and even talked to Julie there and left messages for others including John. Alas, today it is not the case and I am back on w 95 thanks to Don's old reliable computer which seems able to handle just about any indignity AOL sends him. My thanks to his generosity so I can get caught up with Geo again. It feels so good to be home!

what is an avatar exactly? does yahoo have instant messaging?

YES!!! Yahoo has excellent IM. I highly recommend it very highly.

See your troubles from the hopeful side Marcia. Destiny it gives you time to reorganise your time and think what else you have to do for you. See it as a test. The Wheel of Life is travelling us where only destiny knows. So do not worry and be happy. This situation is also a test for all Geo-members and visitors. I expect that the result have a degree upper of the base. So, Geo-mother must be pleased and free for explorations. Avatar is a live figure that is sitting higher between us. Wolfie. Avatar is also something live that we admire or that we envy its luck. John

This current adventure is a first for me.I have always been very conservative. However, this has been both spiritually satisfying and intellectually illuminating. Despite the effort of security to make it miserable, they were quite unsuccessful!I amdelighted to be where I am despite the thunder in the background. On the mainland of the US, that does NOT mean snow will be on the mountains. Not this time of year! I consider John Geo's avatar of seismic events. Demi-god? Absolutely!

Hi John! That was a very interesting observation about small gods and avatars. As for Marcia being an avatar, I do admire her and hope that AOL and Yahoo are treating her better. Wolfie, Yahoo does have instant messaging.

Hi Cheryl! Big happy smile that I am back with the living and communicating with the world! Yahoo IM has been a life saver. Ask thepeoplewith whom I communicate directly. Where else could I afford to talk live with voice with Greece, New Zealand, UK, and various other far reaches? Nowhere!

Hello Marcia! The world has missed you and is glad to be in communication with you again. Okay, I can only speak for my small part of the greater world.

I am much closer to your part of the world.Is Pittsburgh as hot as Louisville?Will you get our thunderstorms? (It sounds like the intro for "As the world turns" and it might as well be!) You are our fine arts specialist. We all have roles to play in life - even as lurkers.Enjoy! Meanwhile I will try to post my prize geode I found...

It's hot and humid here. We're supposed to get thunderstorms overnight and/or tomorrow. Unfortunately, the rain will probably just bounce off the ground here. We are down for rainfall this summer and all the grass is yellow or brown and the ground is as hard as cement. Atleast the rain will cool it off a bit, though. Love to see that geode.

The grass is yellowing here too, and the earth looks parched and baked to a light tan brown instead of a rich moist mixture. I wonder how any plants can survive! We also could use a good soaking rain. I wonder when they put us on water rationing. It is happening in California...

Ok, folks, some news from the world of pearls. Perle de Tahiti has had a huge showing with some very trendy designers, and all should look for real and fake Black Pearl jewelry to be a very hot thing in fashion for the next several seasons. And i am talking BIG stones, and LONG strands of them. If you can afford them, Bold and Black is an 'in' thing. Check National Jeweler for some items.

I'm building the http://bonitapearl.com site on our server now. It's pretty basic. I have to add the shoppping cart and go to a design phase on it. Should I suggest that these folks carry this line of pearls?

Welcome back, Lance! We have missed you. I am still sans pearls of any sort grown by oyster, but maybe I can have one small one before I die. That definitely gives me plenty of time!!

Terry, the site you cited is amazing. I'd have holes poked through my ears for any of them. Lovely!!!

I have posted some pictures of quartz crystals that I'm selling at http://lemurianquartz.com . . . these pictures were taken in my backyard on a sunny day and there are some remarkable specimens weighing 2 lbs. and more.

Terry, those pearls look to be of fairly good quality on your site. Perle de Tahiti is the largest dealer/grower in Tahiti, but tends to be consistantly dark of color, as well as expensive. Robert Wan is simply a kingpin type, who gets things the way he wants. If your people are looking for good color variations, have them ask where a suppliers pearls are grown. The slightly warmer water around Manihi is the home of some of the wildest variations known without chemical treating. Also, all the way out in the Gambier islands does the same thing occur. Suprisingly, there are some farms in the Marquesas and in the Philippines, around Cebu, that have produced nice pearls, but in smaller sizes, so the consumer gets a price break.

Terry, those quartz crystals are lovely. In your back yard? All I have is lava! Of course, lavas contain every element found on earth!! It just is not as pretty as it will be after reforming it through metamorphosis, hearing, water percolating, and millions of years to gtow the crystals. *sigh*

They come from Ruand S America. I just did the photos in the backyeard. I may have a sale on one today.

Did you mean the lower info in black (rather the the blue links above them) to be Kb or is it the weight of the crystal and should be Kg???? Mexico was blessed with lovely things. I have a huge piece of a geode of amethyst. The large geode I found was a pale citrine. Like champagne diamonds.

It's the weight in pounds. 1.75 is 1.75 lbs. I need to clarify the descriptions and provide more information, like the dimensions, size, weight,circumference, presence of rainbows, triangles, ridges, baby crystals, bottom configuration, etc. I had a great talk on the phone with Debra, who has a crystal shop in Pennsylvania, and she enlightened me as to the proper way to photograph and display these crystals. She's pretty seasoned at this stuff, and was impressed with the size and the low prices on these specimens. I've got one of them listed on ebay, and I need to get shopping cart software running on http://stonedom.com and on http://lemurianquartz.com

Talking trade is alwys a good way to gather information. I can get some sort of scale when looking at your hand holding each one of the large ones. http://www.arizonaminerals.com/specimens_amethyst-north-am.shtml This site above can show you how some do it.

Cool I'll bring that up.

Just be certain you are in a position where your flash will not reflect off a crystal face and ruin your picture. It happens more than you can imagine!

I don't use a flash at all, just sunlight. I have to redo those http://lemurianquartz.com pictures, I did an inventory with pricing today: http://lemurianquartz.com/quartz05.html

OK!!! Makes sense.

http://lemurianquartz.com/quatzinv.htm is the current version, I need to rephotgraph all these stones and name the jpgs with a code that matches the inventory. I'm finally making sense out of some of this, but still need to master some of the terminology and learn how to describe the pieces better.

YOU? Having programming problems? Can you imagine the mental gymnastics I went through when I was given a blank space to fill the day Geo was created?! Programming is in your blood. You'll be fine! Meanwhile I want some of those colored Russian diamonds!

Lance, come back with your pearls. I think Tennessee has none of them.

Come back, little Lance.

He will. I talked to Lance last night on Instant Messenger and got him acquainted with how to find conferences special to him. This is definitly one. He is the staff expert on pearls.

That's great, because with the http://bonitapearl.com project as one of our client websites, it's become more relevant. Maybe we can get these folks in on the dialog on pearls.

ok before i check the site, gotta a question--are these the pearls with the irridescent aura to them? i've been seeing "black" pearls all over the place lately.

Wolfie, Black pearls are, indeed, from all over. Tahiti, the Society islands, the Marquesas, the Philippines, and China. But, only those labeled Tahitian Black Pearls are the real thing. They come only from one species of oyster, and will come from many different islands, but are from the right oyster. This is important, as China and Japan have made "black pearls" for years, using dyes injected into the oyster at implanting, or about six months before harvest, depending on the quality sought. The old "Pearl Factory" shops in Hawaii and the West Coast used a different technique. They used dye at several stages, and the older the pearl, the more dye collected, and the color range was brilliant. Now, as the Chinese perfect the use of shell fragments for nucleus usage, the more you will see dye and irradiation used. Also chemical peels can make spectacular results. I have a friend in South Carolina that has a ring I selected for her that has a chemical peel treatment, but the pearl is so irridescent an striking in its multi-color spendor that it doesn't matter what was done to it. Burgundy, Green, Blue, and Bronze over a deep green/black background. Many beauties are no longer found "only" in Tahiti.

OOOH Good! Dialog!!! Thanks, Lance! *Hugs* They are even making tinted fresh-water pearls which are also beautiful - even if temporarily. Lance, do you know the longevity of the color on these dyed ones?

Depends on the Ph of the wearer and the frequency of wearing. It's possible to last 20 years, maybe more.

I did know that wearing pearls is the best way to make the nacre more beautifuland to preserve it. Keeping them in the drawer for generations makes them chalky and they eventually disintegrate!

If anyone is interested in what is being done with pearls, check out and go to the pearls section. The strands are B grade or less for natural pearls, but the colors they are dyed are fantastic. And these are cheapies sold for beading and inexpensive jewelry, not good ones. If they go to this much trouble with cheapies, think what they are doing with the top pieces!

Where do we go, Lance? Needing the url... I have a set of fake pearls which are beautiful, but have nothing real... yet...!

AARRGGHH!!! The top section disappeared!! I wrote out Sorry about that!

is the place.

AARRGGHH!!! Not again!! Let's try: www.firemountaingems.com.

Http://www.firemountaingems.com You forgot to put the http:// to make it a hot link. Thanks for posting it!

I got a strand of cultured pearls as a gift recently. They're cream colored, so nothing much to tell you about them colorwise. Still, they are real, even if they are cultured.

I am not particular. If they are real pearls, it matters not, to me, who inspired the oyster to make them. Wear them, Cheryl. You will make them more beautiful if you do (and will make you more beautiful by wearing them).

Marcia is right, Cheryl. Cultured pearls are just as real as non-cultured. the only difference is that the starter seed was put there by man, and is not an accident of nature. Wear them with pride.

I definitely will, Lance. They are beautiful.

I now have my first REAL pearl. I started at the top of the ladder of aspirations as you will see. My gift is from the resident expert and a black pearl of exceptional qualities. This is the loveliest thing I have ever held in my hand that was organic in creation - other than my son. *;) 8.5 mm of extraordinarily beautiful deep luster, this is like no other I've seen. It is mounted even better than I could have imagined it myself. A classically modern setting with pave diamonds in three swoops of uellpw gold. I must have been V E R Y good !! Thank you, luv!

Oh dear, I was so overcome I neglected to see what I did to YELLOW as in yellow gold. Lance, you should see me wearing this !!!

you must've been very good! do post a pic when you can!

I'll do it!! It should make for interesting comments when house male re-enters the scene. I can't believe I was alone for all of Christmas and New Year's Eve. On the other hand, maybe I was terrible but word just hasn't gotten around !

This is the one Lance said has gone missing. It is on my geo/all list to it is available to anyone wishing to post. Lance, get thee hither !! Post !

See the other topic where I posted the url to get here. How is your connection to Geo? Marci and anyone else? Fast? Slow? Normal? Sporadic? Constant?

The connection for me using slow dialup is excellent. In years past, it was slow and somewhat sporadic. The connection is fast and efficient. I trust you are getting similar comments from others.

Nope, the drooleuses are crawling.

I wonder if they are continuing to load the entire topic each time. That is a waste of cybertime and no one wants to read it all back to post number one each time they go there. I wonder why more people are not using the /new additive. I learned it early on and have used it exclusively ever since.

new is good.

Terry, I tried unsuccessfully to post a comment. I dumped RAM and came back to see if that made a difference. If you can read this, it was a RAM problem. If not well, none of us can see it!

Guess it was my problem but it has been slow the last week or so posting at times. I always assumed it was my maxing out the memory by multitasking.

i've been slow too, marcia!

I did manage to get rid of a pesky self-downloaded adware spyware cleaner which took over my msconfig. I had to go in there and disable it before I could delete if from my hard drive. I was offended, and it is seldom that software gives me such feelings. BTW the Tennessee Pygmies have been addressed by the resident archaeologist on the Americana topic. It has turned into a scholarly treatise of more than 300 pages but way more than just about pygmies real and supposed.

Is this pygmy treatise published on the net?

The Tennessee Pygmies article is Not published on the net. It is part of a forthcoming book and as such it is still copyrighted. I was delighted to get a peek into the book written by Don especially for Geo. Instead, you can find more information by googling Mary Noilles Murfree who wrote the popular novel about them, In the "stranger People's" Country

went out to Natural Bridge Caverns where you can buy a bag of dirt and pan for rough gems. of course, you pay for what you get but me and the kids had a blast filtering out the "planted" gems. we even started panning the stuff that others dropped in the water! we're going to have some fun trying to figure out what we have. garnets, quartz, topaz, amethyst, etc. are among the few rough stones we found (probably nothing "gem worthy"). my youngest pup suggested we find someone to tell us what we have and whether or not they can be mounted into a setting after polishing. some of the stones were loose and some were still very much bound in their matrix. am gonna try a black light and see if any glow.

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that is really weird. so i can run around with a necklace that has the "stone" made of my loved one around my neck. that sounds sooo creepy!

Can you imagine if your necklace was haunted? Seriously, it does seem a bit creepy.

Wolfie, get a hardness chart and test them. Quartz will scratch windows . Flouite will not despite their selling it as gemstones (way too soft in my opinion). You can find sapphires in so many colors - every color actually !! Except for the red ones. They are called rubies. Get yourself a little hardness kit with a penny in it, a penknife blade, a piece of window glass. Also get some unglazed porcelain (the bottom of a mug will do) to test for streak - though most gemstones will leave no streak. Hematite will leave an orange streak, though. Then get a good inexpensive guide to rockhounding (there are several printable ones on the internet) and have at it. That can be the most fun at the end of the day. Oh, and don't forget to save those old toothbrushes to clean what you have found ! Where is the place you were "panning"? I'd love to go to some place one of these days. I hear North Carolina is full of good things on the ground.

it was natural bridge caverns a little north of town. believe me, that was the most fun i've had spending $12!!

Only $12 ??? You MUST go back. I can see your Christmas list getting little bags of dirt. Were they naughty or nice? They have to screen the dirt to find out !

*laugh*

I'd be happy for hours with such a bag of dirt. Lance sent me a bunch of "rocks" he had gotten thru one of such sites in NC. I did the cleaning and felt a little like I had been there. Telling sapphires is not easy. They look terrible, but they also scratch everything else other than diamonds.

amethysts look just like they do in a setting....which really surprised me so when i dug them out of that bag, i was flabbergasted!

I have a huge block of amethyst downstairs on a book shelf and yes it is purple and looks just like it was cut and polished but is raw and unrefined just as created. There are green amethysts on HSN, I noticed. I wonder why green quartz did not get its own name.

had no idea amethysts come in green, didn't even see that in any of my mineral books....will have to scan these stones and post a pic (as soon as i figure out my password to ftp)...

Howdy Geo Wolfie I saw that you visited Natural Bridge Caverns - I visited that place many years ago in my yoooth and the whole thing was super cool - I loved going to tourist caves in Texas and Arkansas. I did some caving in Enchanted Rock (more like crawling through granite fissures) and that was fun/exciting until my flash light went out and I sat around in darkness until some other folks came along. Real smart... But anyway, was indestructable back then... Fun to read about finding neat rocks. 73 de Mike r-c-i

in the caves you aren't allowed to touch anything, i think the touching police show up and everything, flashing lights, totally embarrassing, but this $12 bag of rocks was the cat's meow....my kids were watching ME pan. and the whole time i was talking about how this was so cool and stuff. then i started thinking about all the water running around that thing and ALL the dirt stuck in the channels so i wanted to pan that too, my kids were digging up dirt from it and throwing it in the sifter....good thing i wasn't around during gold fever! i'm too clausterphobic to be rooting around underground and then to have my flashlight go out? oh no, it'd be over then! my dad was telling me about all kinds of caves in the area (we used to live near Ft Sam Houston ages ago)...have you heard of the cave with no name supposedly somewhere off of Bandera Rd (maybe into Bandera County)?

There is a tunnel straight thru a mountain in eastern Kentucky. It has a similar name which is why I asked where yours was. I do want to go see it but I also do not like being underground with no light at the end of the tunnel. I'd have had to recite every book I ever read to get thru a blackout like Mike had. Brrrrr!!

What's the name of the Eastern Ky. tunnel. Can you name some precious Ky gems?

Agates are the KY state gemstones. There are few if any others since most of the state is covered by limestone from the inland sea. Natural Tunnel is the name of the natural train tunnel in eastern Kentucky.

Have you been to many Ky caves?

Not inside them yet, though Mammoth will be on a trip soon. I've been in caves outside Tucson, AZ and in Luray, VA. Very nice but I really do not like being underground.

I do.

A Spelunker amongst us. Actually on a hot day they are lovely and cool. I guess I am still afraid of the dark? I just don't fancy being buried alive in there or losing my way. Wever see "The Englidh Patient" ? That's why!

natural bridge is pretty muggy. it was 70 degrees but the humidity left you sweating......yes, i've seen the english patient!

Dying alone of lack of water and food in the dark is not my favorite way if I have a choice.

me neither because there may be beautiful water but you can't drink it, what kind of irony that would be!

Just like the water everywhere and nothing to drink (paraphrasing) like New Orleans and now Pakistan. How many places on earth can catastrophes happen and us pay for them? I suggest zero but I try to keep solvent.

it's just running its cycle again.....of course, there are predictions in the Good Book, but you can't let that panic you. how strong was that EQ again? i saw some of the coverage but didn't sit down and really take it in (and tired of watching bad news).

found it-7.6 with a 6.2 aftershock......any concerns about tsunami?

it was between 7.6 and 7.8 Richter. If it had been anywhere else yes, but the direction of the shock waves do not disturb the water so much. I did check on that right away 26 aftershocks so far. The complaints of the victims sound terribly familiar.