Fine Jewels
Lot 1726:
Each suspending a white drop-shaped clam pearl, surmounted by a pavé-set diamond cap and a line of collet-set baguette- and brilliant-cut diamond slender links, mounted in 18K white gold, clam pearls weighing 15.58 and 14.20 carats, measuring approximately 20.44 x 10.18 x 10.18 mm and 19.70 x 9.78 x 9.55 mm, ear pendants length 6.00 cm (2)
Accompanied by a gemological report, stating that the two pearls are natural saltwater pearls and treatments none, the observed characteristics being similar to those of ‘clam’ pearls, report no. 3643/12, dated 15th May 2012
It is unusual for clams, mussels, and oysters to produce pearls. When a grain of sand enters the mantle tissue of the shell, a fluid coating is produced in response to an irritant. As a result, a tiny nacre deposit is formed. Over the years, the nacre is covered by layer upon layer of this coating, and it becomes a pearl.
On the contrary, interestingly clam pearls contain no nacre and hence no nacreous layers. They share the similar characteristic as conch pearls. Clam pearls are made of calcite fibers and conchiolin. When light penetrates a clam pearl’s surface and interacts with the fibers, the pearl then exhibits an optical phenomenon: a beautiful flame-like pattern. The ear pendants we present in this lot are a good specimen that displays such ‘Flames’, not always present in clam pearls. Drop-shaped natural clam pearls that are such well-matched in shape are also extremely rare.
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