Formation and Quality of Pearls

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  • 真珠形成と品質 : 宝石素材
  • 真珠の種類と品質〔含 英文〕
  • シンジュ ノ シュルイ ト ヒンシツ ガン エイブン

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Abstract

Molluscs can produce a kind of pearl-like minerals. This mineral is treated either as a valuable pearl or a worthless stone depending on a nacreous layer which radiates iridescence. During the days of pearl fishing, a high quality of natural pearls called "Oriental" or "Oriental Pearl" by European jewellers was produced by the seawater pearl oyster of the family Pteriidae. This pearl oyster group produced an excellent iridescent pearl. The natural pearl without pearl shine appearing similar to pink colored stones and coral is called "Conch Pearl" fished from the seawater gastropod Strombus gigas, consisting of the porcellaneous shell structure, being a favorite by Japanese and bears large prices now. On the other hand, "Clam pearl" produced by the clams and the short necked clam does not have iridescence and is entirely useless in the market. Today the cultivators produce the variety of cultured pearls of elegant and graceful luster by using different bivalves and gastropod such as Pteriidae, Unionidae and Haliotiidae.

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