|
possesses the peculiar nacreous luster desired in pearls, these will be of no value.
The
form and size of the pearls produced by mollusks varies considerably.
Only those which are perfectly spherical or drop-shaped are considered
of first quality for jewelry, but these are only a small part of the
forms produced. Irregular protuberances or convexities often distort
the spherical form, and highly complex and grotesque shapes occur. One
such pearl is known having a remarkable resemblance to a bust of
Michael Angelo. Others resemble insects or fruits. These resemblances
can be enhanced by proper mounting and the addition of a little gold
and enamel. Some fanciful work of this kind has been done, and a large
collection of such pearls is preserved in the Green Vaults in Dresden.
Such pearls are known as baroques, and formerly had comparatively
little value, but at the present time they are being employed in the
most costly jewelry. Not infrequently the pearl becomes attached to
the interior of the shell, as is the one shown
in the colored plate. Such pearls can be used by cutting them away from
the shell, but they have much less value than those well formed on all
sides. Loose pearls which form flat on one side are called button
pearls, and are worth only about twenty-five per cent less than round
pearls. Again, pearls may be hollow. Such are called coque de perle,
and have little value if their hollow nature be known. This, however,
is not always the case, as is shown by an instance mentioned by Kunz,
of a New York lady who had purchased a pearl apparently of good
quality, except for a little black spot on one side. This was mounted
and worn as an article of jewelry until, while its owner was applauding
at the opera one evening, the pearl broke and disclosed its interior
filled with a white, greasy clay.
The
Chinese take advantage of the habit of mollusks to cover any intruded
substance with pearl, to introduce into the shells of these animals,
under the mantle, beads and small images. The mollusk is returned to
the water, and in about a year's time taken out again, when
213
|
||
|
|
||