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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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Natural Pearl Aggregates from Pteria Mollusks
Ten loose pearls with interesting shapes and internal growth features were from Pteria-species mollusks.

Natural Pearls Reportedly from a Spondylus Species (“Thorny” Oyster)
A rare look at natural pearls from a known Spondylus species, commonly called “thorny” oysters.

Observations on Pearls Reportedly from the Pinnidae Family (Pen Pearls)
Examines the internal structure, chemical composition, and spectroscopic features of 22 pen pearls.

A Large Baroque Tridacna Gigas (Giant Clam) Pearl
This giant clam pearl was noteworthy for its size and interesting coloration, and its pronounced banding when viewed with transmitted light.

Books: The Art of Bulgari:La Dolce Vita and Beyond, 1950–1990
Review of Martin Chapman and Amanda Triossi’s The Art of Bulgari: La Dolce Vita and Beyond, 1950–1990.

Books: Jewels of the Romanovs: Family & Court
Review of Stefano Papi’s Jewels of the Romanovs: Family & Court.

Books: Kentucky Agate:State Rock and Mineral Treasure of the Commonwealth
Review of Ronald McIntosh and Warren Anderson's Kentucky Agate: State Rock and Mineral Treasure of the Commonwealth.

Books: Ruby & Sapphire:A Collector’s Guide
Review of Richard Hughes’s Ruby & Sapphire: A Collector’s Guide.

Books: Unique by Design: Contemporary Jewelry in the Donna Schneier Collection
Review of Suzanne Ramljak's Unique by Design: Contemporary Jewelry in the Donna Schneier Collection.

Books: Heavenly Bodies: Cult Treasures and Spectacular Saints from the Catacombs
Review of Paul Koudounaris’s Heavenly Bodies: Cult Treasures and Spectacular Saints from the Catacombs.

Shell Pearl as a Pearl Imitation
Examination of commercially-available “shell pearls” reveals imitation material.

Fossilized Drusy Shells – Tucson 2014
Fossilized gastropod shells, trademarked for use in jewelry, are exhibited at the 2014 Tucson gem shows.








