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Oriental Pearls
Pearls are in a sense the purest of all gems, since they alone require no polishing or cutting at the hands of workmen, but are found in nature in their most finished form of perfection. They have been known and prized since long before the Christian era. They are said to have been known in China four thousand years ago. The gems occur more or less extensively in almost every country where oysters or mussels are found. The pearls of the greatest value are the Orientals, found in the Indian and Pacific oceans. The famous fisheries of Ceylon furnish a large percentage of fine pearls, although the gems found there are seldom of large size. The Ceylon oyster is comparatively small, only about four inches in length and with a thin shell, while the oyster of the South Seas, Australia, and the Philippines is very large and thick. From these large pearl oysters comes the beautiful Mother of Pearl much used in commerce.
Fresh-Water Pearls
The fresh-water pearls are found in streams, lakes, and ponds in nearly all parts of the temperate zone. American fresh-water pearls are found largely in the Western rivers, and are generally of irregular shapes, either button or baroques, although some fine pearls have nevertheless been found there. In fact, some very fine American pearls have been discovered which have commanded a very large price. |
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Precious Stones Guide Vol 3
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