How well do you know your Pearls?

Do you really know your pearls?
How your pearls were made?
Where your pearls were made?
Which type of oyster created them?

It would be amazing if experts could extract DNA from your pearls without disrupting their value, with results that show how old they are, where they were made and which oyster produced them.

For centuries it was thought impossible to isolate the genetic material of a pearl without destroying the gem… until now!
A Swiss research team, lead by Joana Meyer of ETHZ Zurich and Laurent Cartier of SSEF, have successfully managed, for the first time in history, to extract trace amounts of DNA from a variety of cultured pearls while still retaining the value of the pearl.

The genetic material is usually located in the organic matter found in the calcium carbonate matrix of the pearl.

The Swiss team used a fine drill to enlarge the existing drill hole of the pearl in order to isolate the DNA without destroying the pearl. Once extracted the DNA revealed the species of pearl oyster and the age of the pearl.

If you would like to learn more about your pearls then make an appointment with out Pearl Specialist and Designer, Chrissie Douglas, who will be able to give you an in-depth valuation of your pearls.

‘Chrissie Douglas can tell a natural pearl from a cultivated one as easily as you and I can tell a tomato from an aubergine.’ – Lucia van der Post, FT How To Spend It

We have 2 more Pearl Talks coming up in November so book quickly to avoid disappointment as these events  are often oversubscribed. Chrissie Douglas will guide you through the history of pearls, going into detail about a wide selection of cultured and natural pearls.
These Pearl Talks take place at our Pearl Showroom, located at 42 Beauchamp Place, London, SW3 1NX.