White spots on pearls. What are they?

[mellowyellowgirl]

Loooong story! Bought a lovely strand from Katbran that were decent quality but had to save it for the little sister who is driving me crazy.

Anyways bought a cheap strand with white spots to wear. I really like these and the spots are not too noticeable (and disclosed by vendor) but am now wondering if the spots are scratches that will wear away with time?

Also have the ten yr old who likes to play and grip onto the spotty ones so will this make the colour scratch off faster?

He’s due to get his pearl at Christmas but he doesn’t know it so he likes to run around with the spotty strand or touch it when I wear it.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

wake up @yssie

 

[Pearlescence]

The identification depends on what you mean by 'spots'. Photos would help.

 

[katbran]

Soooo Your sister got her hands on your nice strand..... You were under strict instructions to keep them to your self lol

I know you weren't talking about my pearls when you mentioned the spotty ones... just to be clear

As Wendy mentioned - it would be easier to know exactly what the problem might be if we could see the pearls. You mention colour which kind of threw me off as often you see white 'spots' on White pearls where over processing has created 'chalky ' looking areas. Are your 'spotty ' pearls dyed ? Is the nacre smooth or can you feel the spots ?

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Hallo!!! Sorry I went down with a case of food poisoning!!!

Here are some pics!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Hallo!!! Sorry I went down with a case of food poisoning!!!

Here are some pics!

pretty colours
i hope you are feeling better now

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

@katbran it feels a little raised around some of the spots but not all.

Just to clarify the necklace I bought from Katbran is/was in tip top shape!!!! Only worn once as a demo and packed away for my sister's birthday.

This spotty one is a completely DIFFERENT necklace!!!

 

[Pearlescence]

They are patches where the nacre which we want (colourful and shiny) has failed to grow and instead a chalky patch of unshiny white develops. It is part of the pearl and would downgrade the grading to A-.

 

[yssie]

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348342448_Pearl_Sac_Gene_Expression_Profiles_Associated_With_Pearl_Attributes_in_the_Silver-Lip_Pearl_Oyster_Pinctada_maxima

C, D, E in Fig 1.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348342448_Pearl_Sac_Gene_Expression_Profiles_Associated_With_Pearl_Attributes_in_the_Silver-Lip_Pearl_Oyster_Pinctada_maxima

C, D, E in Fig 1.

Ooh thank you!!! That's an excellent and easy explanation of what's "good" for someone like me!