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This gorgeous Mabe
Pearl was cultured in the pristine tropical waters off the Island of Sumbawa
/ Indonesia.
Mabe Pearls are quite different from what you might consider
“normal” pearls. The reason for this stems from the way that mabe pearls are
formed. Mabe pearls are considered to be “semi-spherical cultured pearls”.
Instead of growing inside the body of the mollusk creature, as is the case
with other pearls, mabe pearls grow against the inside shell.
This process causes Mabe pearls to have a flat side, as
opposed to being relatively spherical, or at least rounded like standard
pearls. This also explains why mabe pearls are frequently called “half
pearls”. Mabe pearls come in a wide range of beautiful colors, which span
from light pinks, to more bluish shades. The unique nacre of the mabe oyster
allows for hues that are quite brilliant and rainbow-like. Their brilliance
is quite breathtaking at times, especially in the rarest color, which
consists of pink with gold swirls. It is this type of color which brings the
value to the Mabe pearls, as well as their rare superiority in texture and luster.
To culture a mabe pearl, the process is different than
culturing round pearls. It is accomplished by inserting the nucleus flush
against the side of the mollusk causing the oyster to make its nacre deposits
over the nucleus, and against the inside of its shell, forming a
semi-spherical pearl. The Mabe pearl oyster, also referred to as the penguin
wing oyster – is what is used as the mother shell for Mabe pearls. These are
highly distributed across the world’s tropical and semi-tropical seas, making
them readily available to many pearl farmers at different ends of the globe.
Due to this one flattened side, mabe pearls become the ideal
choice for jewelry such as earrings and rings which allow for a secure
setting, and a concealed flat back.
The mabe pearl first reached its popularity in the end of the
19th century, and from that time until the mid 20th century, many different
efforts were made to attempt to cultivate the mabe pearl – most of which were
in vein. Many hearts were broken, and most tries were fruitless. However,
some pearl farmers continued to persevere with their research, and finally
established breeding techniques for the mabe pearl oyster in 1970, followed
five years later by the mass production of cultured pearl harvests.
Today, the production of cultured mabe pearls has become quite
stable, and the results are absolutely gorgeous. Depending on the desired
size, 2 to 6 years are needed for each pearl. However, for those who enjoy
the mabe pearl, it’s well worth the wait.
The producers wait patiently for many years while the mabe
pearl oyster work their magic resulting in a thick, lustrous nacre (pearl
coating) which gives the Mabe pearl its color and luster.
When ready, the Mabe pearls are harvested and carefully graded
according to size, color, luster and other quality characteristics.
Hemispheric Shape -
A Distinct Characteristic
The Mabe pearl develops in a hemispheric form, with a flat
back. While in the oyster a Mabe pearl is actually considered a blister pearl
not a mabe pearl. After the blister pearl has been 'worked' it then becomes a
Mabe pearl. Blister pearls are worked by cutting the pearl out of the shell
with a circle-bit drill. The nucleus is then removed and replaced with
filler. The back of the pearl is capped with a piece of mother-of-pearl to
complete the Mabe pearl.
The mabe pearl oyster produces exquisitely colored and highly
iridescent nacre. The colors of the penguin oyster pearl are rich and exotic;
an inspiration from nature’s spectrum of rainbow colors.
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