Welcome Gem Junkies!
Have you listened to this week’s podcast?
We left off with the world as our Oysters, and came right back to that Oyster to uncover the wonderful world of Pearls.
This imagery follows our first part of this two part series. Check out the links below the images to learn more!
An interpretation of Cleopatra seducing Marc Antony by slipping her Pearl earring into a cup of “Vinegar” before drinking it. Pearl was thought of as an aphrodisiac, and this is how our girl Cleopatra shoots her shot to protect her empire from being overthrown.
This image was taken from http://www.grantsjewelry.com/the-real-story-about-cleopatras-banquet-and-that-pearl/ website, but was originally created Jacob Jordaens in 1653, and appropriately named “The Banquet of Cleopatra”
A breakdown of the anatomy of an Oyster. Here you can see where the bead will be implanted for cultured Pearl formation.
Here you can see how the bead is surgically implanted into the Oysters for nucleation.
The Oysters are then placed on lines, or in nets while the Pearl is being formed. This process varies for the different species, and is monitored by the Oyster farmers.
The moment of truth for this Tahitian Pearl- a black Pearl emerges from the Gonads of an Oyster.
A non exhaustive list of Pearl shapes- not all Pearls are created round!
Photo courtesy of http://www.russellandballard.com/knowledge-builder/pearls/
One of our Freshwater Cultured Pearl ring designs
Shop our Pearl Jewelry