Explaining what types of oysters make pearls
Showing the three different oyster types used for cultured pearls
A piece of membrane from an oyster is used to stimulate the pearl growth around the implanted seed
The slices of membrane are treated with a solution to prevent infections in the oyster when the seed is implanted. The solution turns the membrane red.
The implanted seed is made from mother of pearl - oyster shell
Sorting pearls that have been harvested. They are graded on luster, size, shape, and color
Removing a pearl from an oyster
Drilling holes to make jewelry from the pearls
Wide selection of pearl goods
Oysters ready for processing
Different types of oysters in racks
Oysters are removed from the water every 3-4 months for cleaning, and are sorted for size. Oysters of the same size are placed back on racks for return to the…
Implanting spherical mother of pearl (shell piece) and slice of membrane into pearls. Oysters can survive out of the water about 5 hours.
Harvesting a cultured pearl. Roughly 30% of the oysters will form pearls. Roughly 30% of those will be of a high enough quality to be used.
Showroom of pearl jewelry
Floats with racks of oysters suspended in the water.
This farm has approximately one million oysters growing cultured pearls.