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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
A New Life for Revival Jewelry Styles: Archaeological, Renaissance and Egyptian
Revival jewelry is inspired from the past – and connects us to the rich history of our civilization.
The Gemological Characteristics of Pipi Pearls Reportedly from Pinctada maculata
Reveals the internal features and spectroscopic data of these small natural pearls and offers the means of separating them from pearls of related mollusk species.
Cultured Pearls from Lake Kasumigaura: Production and Gemological Characteristics
Examines Japanese “Kasumiga” freshwater cultured pearls, which grow in a variety of colors.
DNA Techniques Applied to the Identification of Pinctada Fucata Pearls from Uwajima, Ehime Prefecture, Japan
Shows how genetic material extracted from small amounts of pearl powder can be a useful indicator of this akoya cultured pearl species.
Non-Bead-Cultured Pearls from Pinctada margaritifera
A new report from GIA's Bangkok laboratory examines a set of 120 NBC samples stated to be of "Tahitian" origin.
Akoya Cultured Pearl Farming in Eastern Australia
Characterizes the akoya cultured pearls produced on the eastern shoreline of Australia using native Pinctada imbricata fucata mollusks.
Real-Time Microradiography of Pearls: A Comparison Between Detectors
Compares the image quality provided by real-time microradiographic imaging (RTX) units fitted with two different detectors: an image intensifier (II) and a flat panel detector (FPD).
Dyed Yellow Beaded Freshwater Cultured Pearls Imitating South Sea Cultured Pearls
A yellow cultured pearl necklace is compared to the work of a producer specializing in freshwater pearls of all colors.
Partially Hollow Tridacna Blister Pearls with Shells Attached
Blister pearls attached to shells are seen in both the Bangkok and New York laboratories.
Continuity and Change in Chinese Freshwater Pearl Culture
Farmers have experimented with bead nucleation, but until recently the methods tried did not produce the quantity or quality necessary for economic success.
The Lure of American Freshwater Pearls: Revisiting the Latendresse Family
John Latendresse is known as the father of American cultured pearls. He was also a great natural pearl collector and left his family a remarkable natural pearl collection. The Latendresse family is well recognized in the American pearl industry and has long supported GIA pearl research. Come with us to revisit this family and their pearl collection.
