Black Pearl Beauty but is it a Natural Black Pearl? by: Yvonne Hammouda-Eyre
Hi Lauren, Good Morning!
Lauren, I would also like to learn the art of how to take close-up photos under magnifying glass;-)
Granted, it's not the best photo, I love the design of your pendant, a black pearl suspended in space within a constellation of white diamonds. Beautiful! be very careful how you clean this piece!
Oh My! I doubt if it's a Natural Black Pearl, they are Extremely rare, the only way you will know for certain is to have it tested and certified at a gem lab who have the right testing equipment, to test for Natural Pearls such as GIA.
If it wasn't for this early date, 1920s I would have guessed it was a Tahitian Black pearl. However, it wasn't until the early 1960's, (after Mikimoto began culturing pearls) when a man by the name of Jean-Marie Domard began experimenting with the ‘Pinctada Margaritifera’ using the Japanese culturing techniques.
In 1961 the Fisheries Service of the French Polynesian government began a trial culturing project in conjuction with the two Japanese firms: Nippo Pearl Co., which provided technical assistance to Australia's early producers, and Tayio Gyogo Ltd., who also operated in Australia. The early discovery of the pearl cultivating technique is a contentious issue.
That pilot project off Bora Bora, approximately 240km northeast of Papeete, the French Polynesian capital on the island of Tahiti, produced a number of good-quality black pearls, but there was no commercial follow-up.
Tisdell C.A., Poirine B. (2000) Socio-economics of pearl culture: Industry changes and comparisons focusing on Australia and French Polynesia. World Aquaculture, Vol. 31, No.2, pp. 30-60.
In 1962, Mr. Domard successfully nucleated 5,000 oysters, and after 3 years harvested more than 1000 high-quality Tahitian pearls. Read about Tahitian Black Pearls HERE
Lauren, the problem we need to solve, is if this Black Pearl is a Natural Black pearl, or a Tahitian Back pearl. the latter is a cultured pearl. As the pearl is surrounded by diamonds, of the genuine kind, i wouldn't have thought it to be a faux black pearl. Lauren, but you never can tell unless tested. If it's been handed down to you, then you must be fairly certain of the 1920s date? This is where Provenance is so important Lauren.
Some visitors write in with ca. 1920s date and in fact it could have been made anywhere between the 1920s - to the present.
A Valuation will be pointless until the type of pearl is positively determined.
Best Wishes, Yvonne
Close-Up Jewelry Photography Using a Magnifying Glass by: Bridgette
Hi Agram, now that sounds like a a clever idea! But How? I never thought about taking a close-shot under magnifying glass before. Have you tried this method of taking close-up photos of jewelry yourself? I only have two pair of hands, help me, how do I do it? Bridgette
Take a Photo Through a Magnifier by: Agram.mj
Perhaps, it is possible to take some photos through the lens of a magnifier. Than we can better see details and also, if there is a photo of the hallmark (s).
