PEARLS FROM FSH SCALES

Evening Star, Issue 19840, 13 April 1928, Page 8

PEARLS FROM FSH SCALES

A SECRET PROCESS At the north end of the island upoi which the city of Eastport (Maine, United States) is located is the largest essence of pearl factory in the world (says the ‘New York World ). it lias been in operation for live years, and has put the Maine herring ot sardine fame into the list with the pig, in that everything about the fish it used. In this respect the herring outclasses the American hog—they haven t yet found a use for the pig’s squeal; the herring has no squeal, so there s no waste. Essence of pearl is from tho scales of the herring family of fish as well as those of the salmon family. No other fish supplies it. It is found in the form of a small deposit on fhe under side of the scales, each deposit being from .132 to .1100 of an inch in diameter. While it has been known and used commercially for more tnan 500 years, it is only within a few years that its nature has been understood. Scientists have ascertained that tic impurities of the kidneys in the fish w’ork out through the flesh and settle on these scales. The essence ot pearl is used m the manufacture of imitation pearls. Tho company which operates the local plant produces in the Paris plant from essence shipped from here upwards of 80,000 imitation pearl necklaces a year. It is also used to produce 'mibamon mother-of-pearl in conjunction with celluloid. This is used in making mirror and brush backs and other toilet articles. A method of utilising it in connection with kid and leather in the manufacture of shoes has also been worked out. The company now has a plant in operation in Virginia, and is building another at Vancouver. This last is to handle salmon scales. The essence is taken from the scales by a secret concentration process. The scales, after the deposit has been removed, are manufactured into fertiliser and sold to the farmers. This season the plant will use approximately 650.0001 bof scales. Had the run of sardines been average this year ihe consumption would have been at least 1.000,0001 b. In 1926 there were 5t0,0001 b used. The greatest amount handled in a year to date was 800,0001 b in 1925.