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Pearl
Perfect shining spheres. Lustrous baroque forms. Seductive strands, warm to the touch. Pearls are simply and purely organic.
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Research
Filled Natural Hollow Heart-Shaped Pearls
Examination of four heart-shaped pearls reveals cavity filling and plugging to improve durability.
Fingerprint Pattern on a “Hammered” Pearl’s Surface
Spiral patterns of nacre platelets observed on the surface of a non-bead cultured pearl are reminiscent of fingerprints.
An Unconventional Bead Cultured Saltwater Pearl
A semi-baroque saltwater nacreous pearl presents identification challenges in the Mumbai laboratory.
Assembled Black Imitation Pearl
An undrilled black bead is identified as an assembled imitation pearl made from shell fragments.
Low-Heft Hollow Natural Pearl with an Opening
Organic-rich material is observed through an opening in a hollow natural pearl.
Two Assembled Pearls
Natural pearl cores are used to simulate the appearance of natural pearl growth in two assembled pearls mounted in a pair of earrings.
Imitation Seed Pearl with Blue X-Ray Fluorescence
Exceptional Nacre Thickness of Hybrid Akoya Bead Cultured Pearls
Iridescent Gems Cut from Hinge Ligament of South Sea Pearl Oyster (Pinctada maxima)
