Chasing Cultured Pearls at SSEF: Cultured Pearls using a Natural Pearl as a Bead
As a leading pearl testing laboratory worldwide, the SSEF has analysed in the past few months a large number of pearls for our clients. Besides natural pearls of impressive size or historic provenance (e.g. the pearl pendant of Marie Antoinette and the so called Dodge pearls), we regularly identify and sort out
Pipi Pearls from the Pacific
first published in Facette 21 (February 2014) In 2013, SSEF received a lot of beautiful small so-called Pipi- pearls from the Pacific. These natural pearls are generally rather small, up to about 8 mm in diameter. This is not astonishing as they are formed within the rather small shell of the Pinctada macu
Research on Golden Cultured Pearls
In February 2016 Dr. Laurent Cartier had the opportunity of visiting Jewelmer pearl farms near Palawan Island in the Philippines and observing the different culturing techniques required to harvest golden South Sea pearls.
Strange Mushroom Pearl
by SSEF, first published in Facette 20 (January 2013) In 2012, we again received a number of pearls with strange shapes for testing. The most extravagant and intriguing of these curiosities of nature was a non-nacreous brownish natural pearl from a marine mollusc, which closely resembled a mushroom (see ph
X-Ray Computed Microtomography at SSEF
by Dr. F. Herzog & M.S. Krzemnicki, first published in Facette 20 (January 2013) For the last few years SSEF has seen increased demand for analysis of pearls. This is not astonishing. On the one hand, the supply of natural pearls that grow or were grown without any human intervention is limited. On the oth
Fake Historic Provenance: ‘Aged ’ Cultured Pearls
Most recently, we received a pearl necklace with 410 pearls strung on three regularly graduated strands. The pearls were characterized by a beautifully matching colour and a fine pearl lustre, reminiscent of ‘classic’ natural pearls from the Arabian Gulf. However, a closer look using X-ray luminescence (SSE
Neutron and X-Ray Tomography of Emeralds
Since two years, the SSEF has been working with the Laboratory for Neutron Scattering and Imaging at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) using their ICON beamline (cold neutron imaging) at the SINQ spallation source. The aim of these research projects in collaboration with Dr. Lehmann and Dr. Mannes is to analyse
The historic ‘Sleeping Lion Pearl’, a natural Blister and not a Pearl
Recently, the Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF had the opportunity to investigate an impressive natural nacreous formation with documented provenance dating back to the late 18th century, named the ‘Sleeping Lion Pearl’ due to its baroque shape that is reminiscent of a lion.
New Beads in Cultured Pearls
by Dr. Laurent E. Cartier, first published in Facette 21 (February 2014) We were presented with samples of a new type of pearl product from French Polynesia by a pearl trader during the 2012 BaselWorld show. These cultured pearls had unusual shapes, came in large sizes (up to 23 mm) and were characterised by
Corroded Pearls
by SSEF, first published in Facette 20 (January 2013) Although pearls, as organic gems, are commonly less stable than polished gemstones, we don’t often see pearls with obvious features of surface damage as a result of unfortunate care. A few months ago, however, we received for testing a very spectacular ca