Molluscs with a bit of Culture: The Queen Conch.

The Conch (Konk) pearl, also known as the pink pearl, is one of the most beautiful gifts that the natural world offers us in the way of gems. They come in colours from the palest pink through peachy hues to strong pink, brown and orange. Its not just the colour that's so special, they have a distinctive flame like pattern in their structure that is visible to the naked eye. This is caused by a the fibrous formation of the pearl. They are not nacreous as most pearls we are familiar with are. That's not all. Until very recently, if you saw a Conch pearl, it was natural. The Queen Conch (Strombus Gigas) is usually found in sea grass beds down the western side of the Americas from Florida to the northern coast of South America. It is now becoming endangered because its habitat is becoming smaller and mans interference, of course is playing a part. They have a pretty long life if left alone living for up to 40 years but reaching full size after only 3. In November 2009 it was announced that Scientists from Florida Atlantic University's Harbour Branch Oceanographic Institute, had suceeded in producing a cultured Conch pearl. Over a period of 2 1/2 years they produced around 200 pearls which have been thoroughly examined by The Gemological Institute of America (GIA). The GIA have written up a report that is in the current issue of Gems & Gemology (Definitely worth subscribing too). These are very difficult to culture and people have been trying for in excess of 20 years. The pearls are produced in the gonad of the Conch which proves difficult to access in its spiral shell. I won't go into all the technical details as the GIA have handled that brilliantly, as they do. When I first heard this news, I can't say I was pleased. Making a rare article commonplace can never be good......Right? I suppose this was the kind of reception Mikimoto got when he perfected the Akoya cultured pearl and look what happened there. Beautiful cultured pearls being worn and appreciated by many people and not confined to the privileged few. I have seen a couple of Conch pearls and have been totally captivated by their flame like beauty. Imagine what it would be like to show and share these special treasures to the masses. I would dearly love to deal with their unique beauty on a day to day basis and now maybe I could? Okay about turn. Brilliant! Bring on the cultured Conch. I can't wait to buy and sell my first cultured Conch pearl necklet with matching earrings! Take Care, Damian