[Jewelry making - Article 01130] - Re: [Orchid] Question about pearls

[Beth Rosengard]

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>     Can someone explain the grooves you sometimes see running around
>     the diameter of pearls? 

    Hi Kate,  They're marketed as "circle pearls."  Some smart cookie
    realized that you could make them more desirable by imaging them as
    symbols of eternity; it's sort of like calling brown diamonds
    "champagne diamonds." 

    The grooves or circles are actually imperfections in light of the
    fact that the industry considers the "perfect" pearl to be absolutely
    round. Off-rounds (ovals), baroques (irregular/knobby), circle pearls
    -- all are considered "imperfect."  I use the quotes because, for my
    taste, the perfectly round pearl is somewhat boring compared to the
    "imperfect" ones; nevertheless, it is the most prized and will carry
    the highest price. 

    I'm not sure anyone knows specifically how a circle pearl or other
    baroque forms.  Apparently something causes the oyster to form an
    irregular layer of nacre -- perhaps a change in temperature or a
    particularly strong tide or some kind of irritant (I'm guessing
    here).  Whatever it may be, I for one am grateful for the
    interruption of the process; otherwise they'd all be "perfect"
    pearls. 

Beth

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