The Basic Methods of Pearl Farming: A Layman's Manual - CTSA

Basic Methods of Pearl FarmingLook for areas on the inside of the shell where the nacre is lustrous and of thedesired color.The half-pearl will have the same color as the area on the shell where it is glued. If it is placed near thecolored area, which is close to the edge of the shell, it will have a dark, iridescent quality. If placedfurther inside, it will be white or silvery. It helps to have a lamp or flashlight to be able to see inside theshell. You can also use a small dental mirror to examine the inside of the shell for a spot with goodnacre to glue the nucleus.Use only a small amount of glue to attach the nucleus to the selected spot.Dry the part of the shell where you want to place the plastic nuclei using a cotton swab or small sponge.Pick up the nucleus on the lifter (Figure 19-how to graft mabe) with the flat side up. Put a drop ofpolycyanoacrylate glue (also known as Super Glue) on the flat side of the nucleus. Press the nucleusfirmly against the top shell and hold for 10 seconds. The nucleus should stick. Take care not to leavethe pearl oyster open for more than a few minutes.Some cautions:Do not use nuclei so large that the pearl oyster cannot close its shell afterwards.You can implant up to 5 nuclei in a large pearl oyster or 3 in a medium-sized one.Nuclei can be attached to the upper and lower shells, but stagger their locations so thatthe pearl oyster can close its shell afterwards (Figure 18-how to place mabe nucleus).Place the nucleus as close as possible to the front of the shell so that it is located on themost colorful section of the nacre, unless you want white or silver mabe.Use fresh glue because old glue will not hold firmly.Keep the glue in the refrigerator, but let it come to room temperature before using it.Use only a small drop of glue – it should not ooze out around the edge of the nucleus.Take care not to get any of the glue on the tissue of the pearl oyster.Page 60