Item: Here we have seven old mother of pearl (abalone) oval 10 x 8mm cabochons which I’ve mounted onto a business card with rubber cement. Abalone is tough stuff (they’re researching it for body armor), so they’ll pop off of the card if you ultimately want to remove them. The images you see in these “sea opals” are completely natural – made by nature or God, not man. But, of course they were made into this shape by man (semi-precious gemstones are usually cut either ‘faceted’ or ‘cabochon’), and also dyed (the Koreans usually died batches of these in either: blue, brown, or fuchsia). It’s all completely fine (industry standard) – check with the Mother-of-Pearl Museum (Musée de la nacre) Méru, France regarding cutting, dying, etc. So, back in the day (before I was born), the Koreans exported these by the gross in little plastic bags and the importers would sort them to make pairs for cufflinks, earrings, etc. Some weren’t paired because they were duds, or in this case, each one so fabulously unique that it couldn’t possibly match anything (!). These are the rebels -- the ones that were beyond compare, and never to become a pair. Again, these images are not carved, painted, or otherwise, to hoax anyone – they are images made by nature which stand out as unique, fascinating, and in my opinion, spiritual. Did you ever hear the expression “written in stone”? The phrase comes from the Book of Exodus. These aren’t grilled cheese sandwiches with random patterns resembling the Virgin Mary or what have you. If they were, they’d be 28,000 USD each on eBay. With me, you get all seven gemstones for 25,000 USD total, and what happens when you have them is up to you. I always wanted to set them into something I could use or wear, like a necklace, but I don’t deserve these – they need to go to someone special who will know exactly what to do with them, all things considered. Attention International Buyers: The item may be too big to ship to your country... Please contact me for a shipping quote before bidding. If not too big, item ships via USPS Express Mail International, and with the price you pay declared on Customs forms. Your signature is required. Thanks for understanding.
Markings: Just the natural designs.
Age: circa 1970 or older.
Condition: Used. Mounted onto business card with rubber cement.
Dimensions: Each gemstone measures approx. 10 x 8mm.
Origin: Korean Peninsula.
Features: Symbolic to portrait to geographical scenes made by God or nature, intrinsic to each gemstone.
Background: These are abalone mother of pearl, which is being studied these days for its miracle properties for purposes of body armor (Biomimetics). I think that these manifested themselves in nature via the abalone shell because it represents the parent of the pearl, which may be thought of as God, the mother of God on Earth, etc. PLEASE SEE MY EBAY STORE FOR A NICE SELECTION OF ART, ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES.
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Most of the items I offer here on eBay are from estates in the Philadelphia / NYC area, and are fresh to the market. If you have any questions, need more info, or want to set up a Preview appointment, please feel welcome to message me and I'll respond in a timely manner. Thanks for your interest, ~Chris
Terms Of Sale: Winning bidder to pay for item(s) in full, in U.S. dollars within 7 days of sale date. If Local pick-up, no online payment methods due to lack of tracking & payment must clear my bank beforehand. All Items are sold “AS-IS”, and offered for final sale. Before bidding: Please ask all questions and Previews for in-person item inspections are welcome & encouraged! Attention International Buyers: Import duties, taxes and charges are not included here or paid to / by me and are the buyer’s responsibility. Arrival time & Customs issues are out of my control (although I'd gladly file an Inquiry with the USPS if delivery is really delayed), and I cannot misstate value on the forms.
