376 THE BOOK OF THE PEARL
powder
is placed upon a buffer of leather or cloth to polish such parts of a
layer as may not have been entirely removed. The Chinese are unusual
adepts in pearl peeling and have been frequently known to sell as true
pearls scales that they have removed, after filling these scales or
peelings with wax or shellac, and strengthening them by cementing them
on a piece of mother-of-pearl. They are then set with the convex side
up and the edges carefully covered so as to conceal the deception. The
Chinese are also very expert in removing layers of mother-of-pearl from
an encysted or buried pearl, taking off layer after layer with the
greatest care, and with a delicacy of touch that enables them to
realize the moment when the pearl itself has been reached, rarely
injuring the latter, although the coating is almost as hard as the
inclosed pearl.
Peeling
is employed to remove a protuberance or acid stain, to smooth a surface
broken by abrasion, or to take off a dead spot produced by careless
wearing of the pearls and allowing them to rub against one another.
There are many instances where, by careful peeling, a perfect layer and
skin have been brought to light, and where irregular or broken pearls,
or those with a blemish, have been rendered much more valuable by a
good peeler. But in many other cases the pearl has not only been
reduced in value, but even rendered altogether worthless, when it had
a dead center or was pitted with clay or other impurities.
If
a pearl has been injured by coming in contact with the acids
frequently used in medicine, the surface may become roughened; or it
may be scratched by being rubbed against a stone in case of a fall or
other accident. If the surface only is injured, it can be restored to
its original beauty with only a slight loss of weight by carefully
peeling off the outer layers.
In
skinning or peeling a pearl, a magnifying glass, or preferably a fixed
lens, such as is used by engravers, is of great assistance, and a sharp
knife, or, better still, the sharpened edge of a steel file, is a very
essential instrument. Gloves are often worn by the peeler so that no
perspiration shall reach the pearl and cause it to slip in the hand
while it is being manipulated, and thus have a layer or more injured by
the knife.
Streeter
mentions a very interesting incident in regard to a genuine black
pearl. This pearl, set with diamonds, was shown in a jeweler's window;
but after exposure in this way for some time to the sun's rays, the
brilliant black luster disappeared and gave place to a dull, grayish
hue. When the pearl was removed from its setting, it was seen that the
part which had not been exposed to the light was of as good color as
when first removed from the shell. It was finally determined
