tahitian pearls – Gem Junkies

Well we have added another layer of Nacre to the Pearl story.

This week’s story included a very cultured Pearl, the largest Pearl, treatments, fashion, and the market for this beautiful organic gem.

First up- The world’s largest Pearl. Jonathan took us to where this beauty was found, HIDDEN UNDER A BED! Obviously very different from the Princess and the Pea to have one of these hiding somewhere under a mattress.

Photo Courtesy of https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37167179

Next stop- “Bloody Mary” dawns her beloved Pearl in a necklace worn in this painting.

This piece was given to her by her soon-to-be-husband Phillip II of Spain as a wedding gift.

This is a famous painting of her done by Antonis Mor dawning her beloved jewel

At the time of her death it was returned to the Spanish crown and worn again by Margaret of Austria, Queen of Spain, married to Phillip III of Spain.

This famous painting of Margaret of Austria wearing the Pearl necklace was done by Diego Velázquez

After generations in European royalty, who’s neck would later adorn this beautiful Pearl. Well none other than Elizabeth Taylor!

This photo mashup is courtesy of https://www.huffingtonpost.com/vicky-tiel/le-peregrina-pearl_b_994642.html

You can find this design https://www.parlegems.com/catalog.php?mode=entry_view&pn=NMPN301783WI

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.