Judi McCormick

Oyster Shells-How They Are Used After Pearls Are Harvested

Oyster Shells-How They Are Used After Pearls Are Harvested

There is much knowledge of eating wonderful oyster muscles and, of course, we all know about the pearling button industry before plastic was invented, but there are many other uses for these absolutely beautiful shells. Some might amaze you.
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Yes. There were Pearl Discoveries in Vermont, too.

Yes. There were Pearl Discoveries in Vermont, too.

Really? Yes, there was a "great pearl rush" in Vermont. An observant friend, Kimet Hand, spotted an article in the Rutland Herald by Paul Heller about the pearls found in Vermont. 
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Rikitea Pearls

Rikitea Pearls

To tantalize you, Rikitea pearls are some of the most sought after for their exceptional luster and color. The best have an intense peacock color overtone.
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Last Episode of Confusions on Pearl Grading-South Sea Pearls

Last Episode of Confusions on Pearl Grading-South Sea Pearls

South Sea Pearls are the rarest and most pricey of the pearl varieties. They have a soft silky luster because of the large aragonite layers. White South Sea Pearl Necklaces range in price from $10,000. to $300,000 and up

Learn more about pearl grading so you can make a more informed decision in your pearl purchases. 

#1 MOST IMPORTANT- There is no way to compare grades from one company to another. All grading systems are subjective and all are devised by each company themselves. There is just no standardized or universal grading system.

South Sea Pearls have their own system of grading that is much the same as Tahitian Pearls. Traditionally, South Sea Pearls are graded in an ABC range which is equivalent to the AAA+ to A+ in Freshwater and Akoya Pearls grading. This is where a lot of the confusion starts. 

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Confusions in Pearl Grading-Tahitian Pearls

Confusions in Pearl Grading-Tahitian Pearls

Learn more about pearl grading so you can make a more informed decision in your pearl purchases. 

#1 MOST IMPORTANT- There is no way to compare grades from one company to another. All grading systems are subjective s withand all are devised by each company themselves. There is just no standardized or universal grading system.

Tahitian Pearls have their own system of grading. 

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The Confusion of Pearl Grading- Akoya Pearls

The Confusion of Pearl Grading- Akoya Pearls

Learn more about pearl grading so you can make a more informed decision in your pearl purchases. 

#1 MOST IMPORTANT- There is no way to compare grades from one company to another. All grading systems are subjective and all are devised by each company themselves. There is just no standardized or universal grading system.

These are some of the standards that I use for grading my saltwater Akoya Pearls. 

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The Confusion of Pearl Grading-Freshwater Pearls

The Confusion of Pearl Grading-Freshwater Pearls

Learn more about pearl grading so you can make a more informed decision in your pearl purchases. 

#1 MOST IMPORTANT- There is no way to compare grades from one company to another. All grading systems are subjective and all are devised by each company themselves. There is just no standardized or universal grading system.

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Tokki Pearls

Tokki Pearls

Tokki is a Japanese term to describe a protrusion or bump. Occasionally, oysters will produce a pearl with curious shapes. These are the result of an accident during growth. Oysters definitely have a mind of their own.
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Pearl Harvest and Grading

Pearl Harvest and Grading

After the pearls are harvested from their oyster home, they are brought back to the main area for cleaning and grading. 
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The Culturing Stage of a Saltwater Pearl

The Culturing Stage of a Saltwater Pearl

After oysters are nucleated approximately 70% retain the nucleus after 30-40 days. The process of coating the nucleus begins with 10-20 layers a day! Other oysters won't survive disease and predators and that would leave about 50% of the oysters to grow pearls to harvest stage.
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Implanting 3 Year Old Oysters

Implanting 3 Year Old Oysters

When the oysters are three years old, they are ready to be grafted. You know by now that when I speak of oysters, I am talking about saltwater pearls. Freshwater pearls are a little different, cultured in mussels and I will get into that in a later blog.
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Baby Oysters Grow Up to Young Adults

Baby Oysters Grow Up to Young Adults

We have been following the development of the pearl growing oysters from conception to their producing and nurturing years in the last couple of 
Blogs. I want you to be able to understand the complicated and very specific culturing of these beautiful saltwater oysters.
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