| Things are not always as they seem. This is especially | | | | command more money than a "pearl" without this trait. |
| true for the conch "pearl" and the melo melo "pearl," | | | | Like real pearls, conch "pearls" are thought to be |
| two types of gemstones that aren't really pearls at all. | | | | produced by the animal as a protective measure |
| Confusing? Yes, as these "pearls" resemble true | | | | against an intruder. Attempts to culture conch pearls, |
| pearls in more ways than one. Both the melo melo and | | | | however, have been unsuccessful, although many |
| the conch "pearl" are rare natural gems produced in | | | | efforts are underway. |
| marine animals; are referred to as pearls; look like | | | | Due to historical overfishing, the Queen conch is now |
| pearls, and are used to create beautiful jewelry. So | | | | protected in the Florida Keys, although the animal is |
| why aren't they pearls? And if they aren't true pearls | | | | fished in other parts of the Caribbean. When |
| than what the heck are they? | | | | harvested, the Queen conch does not always contain |
| Non-nacreous pearls | | | | a "pearl;" in fact such "pearls" are extremely rare. |
| Interestingly, not all "pearls" are made of nacre, the | | | | According to the Gemological Institute of America, only |
| combination of aragonite (calcium carbonate) and | | | | one in 10,000 Queen conch shells contains a "pearl;" |
| conchiolin that is secreted from a mollusk and layered | | | | adding to their appeal, very few of these are gem |
| together to form what scientists call a nacreous pearl. | | | | quality. |
| Some marine animals, like the Queen conch and the | | | | A relative newcomer to the world of decorative |
| melo melo sea snail, produce gorgeous gems made up | | | | jewelry, the conch "pearl" was very much in fashion in |
| of non-nacreous calcium carbonate. Calcite, rather than | | | | Victorian-era baubles, but fell out of favor for a while. |
| aragonite, is the primary material here. (This material, by | | | | Today, conch "pearls" are again enjoying a surge in |
| the way, is said to be similar to the stuff that produces | | | | popularity. Anyone interested in purchasing jewelry |
| kidney stones in humans.) | | | | made with a conch "pearl" should be aware that the |
| Because they are non-nacreous, the conch "pearl" and | | | | color of these gems fades over time. While scientists |
| the melo melo "pearl" are not considered true pearls | | | | are unsure why, some postulate that it has to do with |
| by gemologists. Instead, they are classified as | | | | ultraviolet rays breaking down the natural pigments, |
| calcareous concretions and referred to as "pearls." | | | | although even in dark places, the gems will eventually |
| Note the quotation marks surrounding the word "pearl." | | | | fade. Heat, age and dehydration are also thought to |
| This punctuation is used to signify that the gem is not a | | | | factor into the "pearls'" fading. Conch "pearls" should be |
| true, nacreous pearl. | | | | worn only occasionally, and it is advisable to limit their |
| Conch "pearls" | | | | time in the sun. |
| Conch "pearls" are natural gems found in the Queen | | | | Melo Melo "pearls" |
| conch, Strombus gigas, a beautiful marine animal prized | | | | The South China Sea, the Pilippines, India and the |
| for its gorgeous shell and succulent meat. (Walk into | | | | Andaman Sea are home to a big orangey-brown |
| any popular Caribbean eatery and you're likely to find | | | | gastropod called the melo melo sea snail. Like the |
| a selection of conch chowder and conch fritters on | | | | Queen conch, this beautiful marine animal with its |
| the menu. Note: Make sure to pronounce it correctly: | | | | oversize scrolled shell can produce colorful |
| conk, or you might get conched over the head.) The | | | | non-nacreous "pearls." |
| official symbol of the Bahamas and the Florida Keys, | | | | Ranging in color from tan to yellow to orange, these |
| the Queen conch is fished in the warm, shallow waters | | | | very rare calcareous concretions are mostly spherical |
| of the Caribbean where it lives. The "pearls" are a | | | | and typically quite large. (It's theorized that the animal's |
| delightful byproduct found by fisherman when the | | | | ability to produce "pearls" of such substantial sizes is |
| meat and shell are harvested. | | | | due to its wide shell opening. In fact, one notable melo |
| Typically oval or baroque and less than 3mm in | | | | melo "pearl" weighed in at 397.52 carats and was said |
| diameter-although much larger ones can be found-the | | | | to be nearly the size of a golf ball.) The coveted |
| porcelain-shiny conch "pearls" display the same colors | | | | orange-colored melo melo "pearl" can exhibit intense |
| as can be found on the animal's shell interior: white, tan, | | | | flame structure, a highly desirable trait, although, like the |
| yellow, and pink. A lovely shade of salmon-pink is the | | | | conch "pearls," the brilliant color will fade over time. |
| most popular color and typically commands the highest | | | | According to the Gemological Institute of America, as |
| price. | | | | in nacreous pearl formation, the very rare melo melo |
| A notable characteristic of conch "pearls," but one that | | | | "pearl" is most likely the result of an intruder...in this case |
| not all specimens display, is flaming, or chatoyancy. | | | | believed to be formed when the gastropod's large |
| Described as a silk-like or wet silk appearance and | | | | "foot" is bothered by an irritant. Scientists aren't |
| typically only present on the pink "pearls," flaming | | | | completely convinced of this theory, however. |
| occurs because of the way the "pearl's" layers are | | | | Fashionable among Asians, melo melos are only now |
| structured. Unlike pearls formed with nacreous crystals, | | | | being appreciated by Western cultures. Like conch |
| conch "pearls" are formed by concentric layers of | | | | "pearls," attempts to culture melo melo gems have |
| fibrous crystals. The flame effect is an optical illusion | | | | been unsuccessful, thus, like conch "pearls," the melo |
| that results from this layered arrangement. A highly | | | | melo "pearls" on the market are rare and natural, and |
| desirable trait, flame structure on a "pearl" will | | | | of course, expensive. |