NATURAL PEARLS
During the Renaissance period in Europe, the upper classes adorned themselves lavishly with natural pearls, which became the symbol of wealth, status and taste in an age of splendor. The tradition has passed down in the Royal family where natural pearls became formal yet sophisticated jewellery which they worn during state dinners and special events.
Most natural pearls are harvested from oysters; it’s less common for clams and mussels to produce pearls. According to studies, only one in 5,000 clams forms a pearl. It is even rarer for conch pearls as only one in 10,000 conches produces a pearl, and that less than 10 percent of those are of gem quality. Unlike oyster pearls that are formed by nacreous layers, the prismatic layers of clam and conch pearls are made up of calcite fibres and conchiolin which are radially arranged around the inner core. Light strikes and penetrates the surface to interact with the fibres, producing an enchanting optical phenomenon known as “flame”.
The nature has endowed all types of pearls with unique lustre and iridescence. Due to over-harvesting, global warming and environmental pollution, untreated natural pearls are hard to come by. Many have attempted to culture conch pearls but no technique has yet been developed. To be offered in this auction is an irresistible selection of natural pearl jewellery (Lot 10, 148, 149, 150), every one of them is a coveted gift from the ocean that exhibits mesmerizing charm.