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There is, of course, a vast difference between the values of cul¬tured and natural pearls. Like all precious gems, the natural pearl always has an international market value; the cultured pearl has almost none. Political disturbances may cause a scarcity of cul¬tured pearls, and their value may rise, but this can be only of a temporary nature. During the years 1939 to 1945, practically none was produced, and during that period demand forced up their price to something like twenty times their pre-1939 value. Pro¬duction commenced once again in 1948, but no great number of necklaces were seen on the market for some three years or so. Read more »

While Japan was at war, and for some years afterwards, produc¬tion of cultured pearls was almost at a standstill. In 1939, the industry was in full swing, and then cultivation was being carried on in at least eight localities in Japan, as well as in the island of Palao. The farms employed about 2,500 workers over a period of six months, May to October. Round beads were drilled and strung on the small island of Toba, where 250 workers were em¬ployed. Of the 200 necklaces strung daily, only some 20 were exported in strung bunches of approximately the same qualities, the number of pearls and the weight in grains often being noted on each necklace. Read more »

Cultured Pearls
Most of us are familiar with cultured pearls for they have been a part of almost every jeweler’s stock since just before the war years of 1939 and onwards. To the uninitiated, they look very much like natural pearls, but to those who are accustomed to handling the natural gem, there is seldom any doubt as to their true origin. If doubt does exist, proof positive is readily obtain¬able by the use of the endoscope or other instruments. Examina-tion by radiography allows a large number of specimens to be examined quickly, but the X-ray diffraction method is the best. Read more »

As recently as the first years of this century, pearls were found in the Mississippi River, near Muscatine. The river bed near this town was found to contain a number of shell deposits along a two mile stretch, and for two years this was worked. The river then changed its course and the deposits were swept away.
At about the same time, many of the Canadian and other American rivers were being fished. Pearls were found, some reaching 100 grains in weight, and $1,400 (£500) was not an uncommon price for such specimens. But the damming of rivers for transport services and continuous fishing soon depleted the rivers of the molluscs. Read more »

But pearl fishing is still carried on around the coasts of Panama, Venezuela, and the various islands of the western Pacific. The pearls are generally yellowish or grayish in color, but the Panama pearls are often parti-colored with a coarse texture. Venezuela pearls are small, of a warm tint and a good luster. The method of fishing differs little from that in other areas.
Divers descend naked and remain under water for about thirty seconds, during which time they are able to secure about three or four shells. When a sufficient number has been collected, they are carried to the shore and piled up on mats of esparto grass. Ten days are allowed to elapse, during which time the molluscs die and decompose. When thoroughly decayed, the shells are thrown into reservoirs of sea water, opened, washed, and the pearls ex¬tracted. The odor given off during the latter part of these opera¬tions is far from pleasant. Read more »

The largest pearls now come from the North Australian coasts, and they are characterized by a whitish sheen. Formerly, they were marketed in Europe, as England and America prefer the rosee colors of the Indian pearls. But as Europe has been a very limited buyer for many years, Australian pearls have depreciated in value. There is, however, a tendency for these pearls to ap¬preciate in value during recent years, Paris being the chief market. Read more »

Originally, Goa was the pearl market of the East, as well as the meeting place of buyers and sellers of all kinds of precious stones, since there trade was free and unhampered by the restrictions often levied by native kings and princes. But today, Bombay is the pearl marketing center, and European and American buyers are sometimes found there at the beginning of the pearl season, especially if it is pronounced to be promising.
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Originally, Goa was the pearl market of the East, as well as the meeting place of buyers and sellers of all kinds of precious stones, since there trade was free and unhampered by the restrictions often levied by native kings and princes. But today, Bombay is the pearl marketing center, and European and American buyers are sometimes found there at the beginning of the pearl season, especially if it is pronounced to be promising. Read more »

Although pearls are not cut or polished like all precious stones, they are often bleached before being marketed. Round pearls are also drilled, but otherwise they receive no assistance from the hands of man. The drilling is usually carried out before the pearls are offered to the Western markets, for drilling requires time and patience, both of which seem to be more plentiful in the East than in the West. The methods used are somewhat antiquated, but they are effective. The best possible results must be obtained; the holes must be clean, straight, and very small, otherwise the pearls will hang badly when threaded, and their value will also be reduced. The craft of drilling has been handed down through generations, and Europeans have nothing to learn from the native craftsmen, judging by results. Read more »

Any acid will readily attack pearl, since it is chiefly composed of calcium carbonate. Perspiration also has a detrimental effect in many instances, particularly if it is of an acid nature, for the sur­face of the pearl will absorb the liquid with the result that the color may change. In addition, the holes of drilled pearls in neck­laces tend to become larger in wear owing to the constant friction of the stringing material. For this reason, necklaces should be regularly re-strung and knotted between each pearl. The holes in old pearls may be so large that they may have to be plugged and re-drilled. The quills of birds’ feathers are often used for this purpose. Read more »