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Pearl
Perfect shining spheres. Lustrous baroque forms. Seductive strands, warm to the touch. Pearls are simply and purely organic.

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Research
Filled Natural Hollow Heart-Shaped Pearls
Examination of four heart-shaped pearls reveals cavity filling and plugging to improve durability.
Low-Heft Hollow Natural Pearl with an Opening
Organic-rich material is observed through an opening in a hollow natural pearl.
Two Assembled Pearls
Natural pearl cores are used to simulate the appearance of natural pearl growth in two assembled pearls mounted in a pair of earrings.
Assembled Black Imitation Pearl
An undrilled black bead is identified as an assembled imitation pearl made from shell fragments.
An Unconventional Bead Cultured Saltwater Pearl
A semi-baroque saltwater nacreous pearl presents identification challenges in the Mumbai laboratory.
Fingerprint Pattern on a “Hammered” Pearl’s Surface
Spiral patterns of nacre platelets observed on the surface of a non-bead cultured pearl are reminiscent of fingerprints.
From Single Source to Global Free Market: The Transformation of the Cultured Pearl Industry
Over the past 15 years a combination of market forces, environmental events, and scientific research has radically changed the cultured pearl industry.
Abstracts; Fall 1991
This article, from the Fall 1991 issue of Gems & Gemology, is a compilation of abstracts of important gemology-related articles published outside of Gems & Gemology.
Abstracts; Winter 1991
This article, from the Winter 1991 issue of Gems & Gemology, is a compilation of abstracts of important gemology-related articles published outside of Gems & Gemology.









