Conch pearls are very rare pearls of high beauty. Often pink in color like the shell of the Queen Conch in which they develop, they display an unusual optical result called flame structure. This adds to their mystique. The prospects of future generations having a chance to see these gems in all their glory has been diminishing over the last few years. However, spicy new developments give us hope that they will continue to pleasure us and our children with their beauty. What are conch pearls? Why did they nearly disappear? What has changed the situation to such a definite outlook?
What are conch pearls?
Pearls
Conch pearls are natural pearls found in the Caribbean Sea and nearby Florida. They grow without human intervention in the Queen Conch or Strombus Gigas. What do these pearls look like?The most common color is pink, but they come in every color of the sunset! Samples of the pearls can be seen fluctuating from white and very pale pink to dark pink, orange, yellow, peach, salmon and even gold and brown tones. Most tend to be quite small, few of them reaching a size that could be used in production pearl necklaces. They often have a characteristic flame structure, which looks somewhat similar to a cat's eye effect. This is caused by the way the light reflects on the unusual formation in the concentric layers of the aragonite crystals and fibrous crystals that make up the upper layer of the pearl. This flame structure can be graded as silky, velvety, slightly flamed or strongly flamed. Its appearance will sway the value of the pearl, with a look reminiscent of wet silk being the most extremely valued.
Why are conch pearls so seldom seen?
Conch pearls are found mostly by fishermen and divers, who look for the Queen Conch for its meat and shell. Pearls are so rarely found that it's not commercially viable to specifically dive for pearls. Thousands of the gastropods may be collected for meat and only one or two pearls found, and of these only one in fifty thousand may be of a size and capability that can be used in pearl jewelry. So they are rare indeed! Concern over the diminishing numbers of Strombus Gigas have resulted in restrictions on fishing and trade. Are these pearls to disappear as the Queen Conch becomes more and more endangered? Compounding the question is the fact that the pearls loose their color if exposed to sunlight, so beautiful pearls found in the past have often faded and enduringly lost their vivid colors, reducing the amount of exquisite specimens.
Unexpected amelioration produces great enthusiasm among pearl jewelry lovers
Conch pearls differ in their formation from other pearls so it was concept that producing cultured pearls from the conch was impossible. However, on November 4, 2009 scientists working at the Florida Atlantic University's Harbor branch Oceanographic fabricate announced their success in a new process to stimulate pearl yield in Strombus Gigas. This is the first big breakthrough in developing a way to culture pearls in the Queen Conch. The new formula has a 100% survival rate for the gastropod. Previously, conch pearls were found at the expense of the life of the animal. The cultured conch pearls recently produced have the beautiful colors and flame structure common to natural conch pearls and the added bonus of desirable shape and size. The Queen Conch will survive. Pink pearls are here to stay!
Conch Pearls Saved From Danger of DisappearingRelated : Premier Pearl Ring Premier Jewelry
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