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

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Basic Methods of Pearl Farming“Black” pearls vary considerably in color.Most pearls produced by Black-Lip pearl oysters will be dark gray or black with an iridescent quality. Itis the iridescent colors of the pearl that increases its value. There should be undertones of blue, green,purple (eggplant) or silver. Predominantly blue-green colors with hints of other colors (the term “peacock”refers to having all colors present) are considered most valuable. Pearls are always examinedand graded in natural sunlight so that the subtle colors can best be seen.The color of the pearls grafted by a technician can tell you a lot about his or her skill. If a highpercentage of the pearls are silver-white, yellow or orange, it may mean that the technician was notcareful in selecting mantle tissue that produced the best nacre quality. Pearls of these colors have amuch lower value than darker colors. However, even the best technicians will produce pearls with awide variety of colors.Pearl shapes are generally classified as round, semi-round, circlé, or baroque.Round pearls are completely round on all sides, while semi-rounds may have slightly flattened orbulging surfaces. Round pearls will sell for the highest price and the number of round pearls producedby a technician is a sign of his or her skill. Baroque pearls are pearls with any shape other round andalthough not considered as high quality can still be valuable if of otherwise good quality. Circlés arethe baroque pearls that have circular grooves running around the outside of the pearl.The luster and orient of a pearl are classified by the way in which the surface of apearl reflects light.A high quality pearl with good luster reflects light well, while a poor quality pearl is dull or chalky. Themost lustrous pearls have a finish that is mirror-like. The orient refers to the way the light enters thesemi-transparent nacre and is refracted outwards. This gives an appearance of depth to the pearl.Pearls with thin nacre will usually be betrayed by poor luster and orient.The surface of a pearl should be smooth and without flaws.Pearls are often flawed with a variety of bumps, pits and spots that reduce its value. If there are only oneor two small flaws that can be hidden when the pearl is made into jewelry, it still may be rated as aGrade A pearl, but more flaws will definitely reduce its grade.The most important thing to understand about selling your pearls is that not allpearls can or will be sold.While a rating of “commercial” or “C+” is awarded to the lowest quality marketable pearl, often themajority of a farmer’s production cannot even meet this standard and thus cannot be sold. Therefore,since it takes only one mistake to ruin an otherwise perfect pearl, doing even the smallest tasks correctlyis extremely important to the success of your business.Page 64
Selling pearls and pearl productsOn average, the top 5% percent of pearls will earn 95% of a farmer’s income.Only 5-10% of pearls produced are considered high quality. This means that if you harvest 1,000pearls, only 50-100 of those will fetch the highest prices. The rest may not sell for enough to producea profit.Pearl grading is a fine art, but obtaining a high price for your pearls depends on yourknowledge of the basics.Do not depend on the pearl buyer to accurately grade your pearls, since this affects the price he will payyou. If possible, have an impartial, qualified person grade your pearls. You should also try to learn asmuch as possible about pearl grading and the ever-changing international market to ensure the accuracyof the grader.You can also sell other pearl products such as mabe and various shell products.These might include jewelry made from polished shell, fishing lures, and other handicrafts that incorporatepieces of polished shell. Face cream made with scraps of nacre from pearl oyster shells can alsobe sold for a good price.Page 65
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CTSA Publication No. 127The Basic M
Page 3 and 4:
Table of ContentsTable of ContentsA
Page 5 and 6:
AcknowledgmentsAcknowledgmentsThe a
Page 7 and 8:
IntroductionIntroductionThe purpose
Page 9 and 10:
A short history of pearl cultureA s
Page 11 and 12:
Benefits of pearl cultureBenefits o
Page 13 and 14:
Basic biology and ecologyBasic biol
Page 15 and 16:
Basic biology and ecologyPearl oyst
Page 17 and 18: Overview of pearl farmingOverview o
Page 19 and 20: Determining if pearl farming is pos
Page 25 and 26: Selecting a siteSelecting a site fo
Page 27 and 28: How to setup the farmHow to setup t
Page 29 and 30: How to setup the farmA word about d
Page 31 and 32: How to setup the farm3. Underwater
Page 33 and 34: Preparing the pearl oysters for han
Page 35 and 36: Guidelines for keeping pearl oyster
Page 37 and 38: General farm managementGeneral farm
Page 39 and 40: Handling and transportHandling and
Page 41 and 42: Handling and transportTransporting
Page 43 and 44: Spat collectionSpat collectionSpat
Page 45 and 46: Spat collectionLeave about 13 in (3
Page 47 and 48: Spat collectionIn the southern hemi
Page 49 and 50: Spat collectionSpat are very sensit
Page 51 and 52: Disease and other causes of deathDi
Page 53 and 54: Disease and other causes of deathOt
Page 55 and 56: Nucleus implantation (grafting)Nucl
Page 57 and 58: Nucleus implantation (grafting)Pear
Page 59 and 60: Nucleus implantation (grafting)Post
Page 61 and 62: HarvestHarvestHarvest pearls when t
Page 63 and 64: Half-pearl (mabe) implantationHalf-
Page 65 and 66: Half-pearl (mabe) implantationFigur
Page 67: Selling pearls and pearl productsSe
Page 71 and 72: AppendixAppendixBudgets for small a
Page 73 and 74: ($48,145 - $38,713)AppendixTable 2.
Page 75 and 76: Table 5. Costs (for operating farm
Page 77 and 78: GlossaryGlossaryBaroque: irregularl
Page 79 and 80: SuppliersSuppliers of aquaculture a
Page 81 and 82: SuppliersAquatic Ecosystems Inc.176
Page 83 and 84: BibliographyBibliographyGeorge, C.D
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The Basic Methods of Pearl Farming: A Layman's Manual - CTSA

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