Where Can I Learn to be a Pearl Nucleator?

Interesting question from a reader this week, who became enchanted with the pearl industry after a vacation in the South Pacific.

Truth is, Japanese, Chinese and South Sea pearl farmers closely guard their pearl culturing techniques--they have to, it's their lifeblood. Nucleators, like the one pictured, (from pearlguide.com) are highly skilled workers, like surgeons, who spend years learning their craft. The task they perform is not easy--and not easily shared.

If you're looking to begin a career in pearl farming, the Gemological Institute of America, http://www.gia.edu/, has a wonderful trip planned to tour the great pearl farms of the world. Go, pick their brains, offer to apprentice, and good luck.

Akoyas Not Exclusive to Japan

I just learned something new: Chinese pearl farmers are growing akoyas. Akoya pearls are the small, round white pearls you typically see in pearl necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Traditionally produced by Japanese pearl farmers, they have been cultured by Chinese pearl farmers since 1960.

A recent article in The Loupe says, "The size and quality of the Chinese akoya harvest varies with the immediate economic needs of the estimated 2,000 farmers who grow them. Many switch from culturing akoyas if shrimp farming or other aquaculture looks more lucrative."

As with freshwater pearls, quality concerns plague Chinese pearl farmers. "If they need fast cash, they might shorten the akoya pearl growth period, thereby producing many cultured pearls with thin, poor-quality nacre...Given a longer pearl growth period, comparable growing conditions and the same sophisticated processing and sorting techniques, Chinese and Japanese akoya cultured pearl quality are comparable."