Smoother surface China freshwater pearls Dec 2011; most are in-body bead nucleated
In-body bead nucleation has been done on a relatively small scale in China, probably since around 1990. We were surprised by the beauty and size of the pearls of this type that we have been able to acquire since late 2007. At 13-16mm diameter larger than anything else of this type, including Lake Biwa and Kasumi-ga-Ura bead-nucleated pearls cultivated at least since 1980, the strands we assembled between 2007 and 2009 suggest that these pearls have been cultivated since more than a few years. Their cost was high, as can be expected of new products with few sources, in a previously impossible size.
10 to 12mm in-body bead nucleated China fw pearls, 2011
Beginning in 2010, bead nucleated pearls we believe are in-body cultivated became widely available in more common sizes in the range of 9 to 12mm. Still unable to get much by way of explanation from suppliers, we persuaded a dentist to make some x-rays of strands we felt sure must be in-body. After a little adjusting the dose, he obtained films showing two drill holes in every nucleus – the one from implantation and the one from assembly to strand. Please see Page 2 for an explanation of the use of pre-drilled nuclei in freshwater pearl cultivation.
Bead nucleated China freshwater pearls, probably in-body, 2011
Our long-standing observation that China produces rounder pearls without than with nucleus may soon be reversed. The roundest in-body bead nucleated Chinese pearls we recently obtained still have dimples and other minor surface irregularities, but are well matched in color, luster and quality. Pricing resembles that of exceptionally short flame type pearls, which usually have smoother surface but rarely round shape.
13 to 16+mm diameter China kasumi, 2007
Baroque in-body bead nucleated pearls tend to have a surface texture not seen in mantle-cultivated flame bead-nuc pearls. It should come as no surprise that these pearls have many similarities to Japan Kasumi pearls, as those are all made by in-body nucleation. Some of the roughest baroques show bits of nucleus in the deepest depressions, but many have deep colors and/or strong goldy highlights. Semi-baroque strands without major irregularities include surprisingly strong luster and colors.
We see these pearls as an indication that Chinese production of freshwater pearls can indeed supply every type of fw pearl previously produced in Japan. Not only is the variety of pearl types now produced in China much wider, but the art of in-body cultivation could some day flourish there to an extent only dreamt of in Japan. That is to say, it could challenge every other cultivation of large high-quality pearls, all the while providing beautifully textured baroques like those shown here, a look unique to freshwater pearls.
Please read Page 2 for more detail.
Pages: 1 2