(via JNA) Colored Akoya Pearls: I found the new pearl treatment intriguing. According to Tomokazu Tanabe, President, Tanabe Pearl Farm, in Shima in Mie Prefecture, after considerable research, his company have found a unique technique to inject coloring liquid into nucleated akoya oysters, which then secreted colored nacre and produced pearls in a wide range of colors from pink to greenish, bluish and lavender. He claims that the pearls are different from dyed pearls, and the colors are unlikely to change in several years.
According to Ikuo Atsumi, Gem Science Academy of Gemology, Tokyo, pre-harvest color treated akoya pearls can be identified by UV-Vis-NIR spectrometer where the spectra of the color treated akoya pearls were very different from those of non-treated akoya pearls and ordinary akoya pearls due to reaction of the metallic compounds, including iron, injected into the oysters.
All treatments should be disclosed at all levels of the distribution chain. If you are doubtful, consult a reputed gem testing laboratory.
No comments:
Post a Comment