The Pearl Blog on Pearls.com

By SSEF Posted: 05/17/10 08:21

Press Release: The Swiss Gemmological Insititute SSEF has received large quantities of saltwater pearls for certification in recent weeks. SSEF director Dr. Michael S. Krzemnicki said these pearls are generally characterized by an almost perfect appearance and are often accompanied by reports describing them as natural pearls. However, their appearance has raised doubt amongst many natural pearl dealers.

The pearls were tested with the most advanced forms of technology, including X-ray radiography, X-ray luminescence, X-ray micro tomography and radiocarbon age dating, and many were actually identified as beadless cultured pearls. Although they do not show one distinct feature that explicitly characterises them as cultured, it is a combination of internal and external structures which enable conclusive indentification of this material.

The arrival of large quantities of these new saltwater pearls, whose quality is far better than that of many natural pearls, represents a great danger to the natural pearl market. Following the sudden increase of this material on the market, the SSEF has taken a number of measures to protect the natural pearl trade. The SSEF has adapted its pearl certification policy and is collaboratively promoting transparent standards at an international level.

An important step is the use of more rigorous and specified definitions for natural and cultured pearls. A natural pearl is a pearl which formed in a wild oyster (mussel) and is living in its natural habitat. It formed without any human intervention. Any pearl stemming from a pearl cultivation farm is a cultured pearl.

Find the full article on the SSEF website www.ssef.ch

The Swiss Gemmological Institute, part of the Swiss Foundation for the Research of Gemstones (SSEF: Schweizerische Stiftung für Edelstein-Forschung) was founded by trade organisations in 1974 and works independently on a scientific basis. This Foundation comes under the aegis of the Federal Department of Internal Affairs. The function of the SSEF laboratory is to analyse precious stones and issue test reports for diamonds, coloured stones and pearls. It was recognised in 1978 by the World Jewellery Confederation – CIBJO. It is also a member of the International Colored Stone Association – ICA. The SSEF is supervised by a board of seven members, the laboratory being directed by Dr. M.S. Krzemnicki. All laboratory gemmologists have a scientific and gemmological education and work on a high level of experience and integrity. The laboratory is equipped with the most modern analytical instruments. This ensures the detection of the authenticity of gemstones and gem treatments on a scientific and reproducible basis.

http://www.antique-jewelry-investor.com/the-history-of-pearls.html

A diamond is forever, but pearls have been recognized as prized jewels in the history of Pearls for centuries longer than any cut stone.

Old information on pearls says that the Arabian Gulf contained the world’s oldest, largest and rarest pearl beds ever known.

This region, and in particular the Gulf of Mannar, between India and Sri Lanka, was the international center of the natural pearl industry for over 4,000 years, together with the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea. It was based on the species of pearl oyster known as Pinctada radiata.

The unique mix of fresh and saltwater that surrounds Bahrain, is one of the secrets to the exceptional quality of Persian Gulf Pearls

Ounce for ounce, Natural pearls are one of the most valuable natural objects on earth, so sought after and expensive that Julius Caesar barred women below a certain rank from even wearing them.

Unlike diamond grading however, there is no universal grading system, so it stands to reason, that it will reward you well to know the eight key elements used for grading pearls here.

Men at their best and men at their worst stalk the pages of pearl history. Kings, India’s princes – The Maharajahs have courted them tirelessly.

“Pearls are like a woman. Once you discover her, you will never stop loving her.” Yvonne Hammouda-Eyre

Pearl History Secrets
Understandably, a trade that’s kept its’ secrets for thousands of years does not yield up its wisdom just for the taking.

These cool flames have come to us with a hot price. Diving for Natural pearls in the early pearling days was filled with danger. In the history of pearls and the quest to find the perfect natural pearl many pearl divers have lost their lives.

Torres Straits “skin” divers, for instance, were considered to be the best divers in the world, being able to “stay down” for two or three minutes.

The history of the trade has been no rose garden.

It’s a fabulous history though, about a fabulous business, founded on bloodstained drama, incident after incident, rouges and even murderers. (in fact, lots of them!)

Today people prefer to use scientific rather than romantic terms to describe them. They talk about their “symmetry” rather than shape, their “surface” rather than their complexion.

In the history of pearls, the romantic terms to describe pearls are actually more accurate because they are evocative and more precisely describe what you see and feel when looking at Pearls

The Cultured Pearl Association of America has launched the International Pearl Design Competition 2010 – 2011 to heighten interest for pearl jewelry.
JCK Staff — JCK Online, 2/23/2010 10:52:13 AM

The nonprofit Cultured Pearl Association of America, comprised of manufacturers, wholesalers, dealers, and suppliers of cultured pearls in the U.S., has unveiled the International Pearl Jewelry Design Competition. The announcement was made during the AGTA GemFair Tucson, and the contest aims to drive awareness, interest, demand, and marketability of cultured pearls for retailers and consumers.

Pearl jewelry submissions can be by sketch, drawing, painted or digital image on a DVD or CD in jpeg format only, and should be no larger than 5″ x 11″ (any larger will not be accepted). First entries cost $150 while each subsequent entry is $100; entries are limited to a maximum of five. CPAA members receive a 25 percent discount. The deadline for entries is September 1, 2010, and winners will be announced November 1. Winning entries will be on display during the AGTA GemFair Tucson and JCK Las Vegas shows in 2011. Winners will receive award recognition as well as prestige for being the first recipients of this inaugural competition.

Judges will include a variety of industry professionals, including buyers of pearls and editors.

For more information, click here or call CPAA at (888) 317-3275. Or, to enter, click here.

TONG SANG TOURS STORM AFTERMATH IN TUAMOTUS
Some 700 homes damaged across French Polynesia

PAPEÉTE, Tahiti (Tahitipresse, Feb. 9, 2010) – French Polynesia President Gaston Tong Sang was in the Leeward Islands for the second day Tuesday inspecting widespread damage cause by a powerful tropical cyclone over the past five days. Oli’s widespread damage that may reach a couple of billion French Pacific francs.

[PIR editor’s note: Two billion French Pacific francs equals US$22.5 million.]

French Polynesia Vice President Edouard Fritch was in the Tuamotu Archipelago Tuesday, inspecting and evaluating damage. He focused on two atolls—Ahe and Manihi. Both atolls are noted for their Tahitian pearl production, and initial indications are that the pearl farm industry in the Tuamotus suffered badly from Cyclone Oli.

The Cultured Pearl Association of America recently unveiled an instructive new means of helping retail associates to quickly and enjoyably learn about pearls.
JCK Staff — JCK Online, 2/6/2010 4:09:00 PM

During the AGTA GemFair Tucson, the Cultured Pearl Association of America unveiled a set of fun and educational flash cards for retail sales associates to use to boost their pearl knowledge and sales.

CPAA educational flash cards are available for $5 a pack and aim to help sales associates learn more about pearls.
A set of 60 illustrated flash cards containing pearl myths, lore, and key facts aim to make the learning process quick and pleasant. The project was self-funded on behalf of the CPAA, which is making the cards–resembling oversized playing cards in simple and attractive packaging–available to member dealers and store owners for $5 a pack. Questions include ‘What is a Biwa pearl?’, facts like ‘The birthstone for June is the pearl’, and, myths like ‘Pearls are bad luck for brides’.

To order, call the CPAA at (888) 317-3275 or visit them online at www.cpaa.org. Alternatively, if you are present at the AGTA GemFair Tucson through Sunday, visit the CPAA booth in the AGTA Pavilion booth No. 1900.

Huge first day on the road, 1,100 total miles . made it thru a snow storm in NYC and traffic in New Jersey. Maryland was beautiful. As we past by Washington DC. it was great thinking that their is the Capitol in front of us just off the mall and wow we have a copy of it in back of the pearl Mobile. Wanted to stop but their was too much traffic. Va was a long Trip down us 81. Will post some pictures in morning. very hard to post from a moving car. Figured out that if we dropped a pearl every 10th of a mile from the capitol we would still have 150,000 left. Just joking. It has been a tough day, but one serious point it did feel weird as we past by all the past presidents homes in the foothills of Va. Will post picture of my copilot Jan Cohen tomorrow. Bo