MERCHANTS STILL ALARMED.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 9 May 1921, Page 8

MERCHANTS STILL ALARMED.

DESTRUCTION OF TRADE FEARED

(United Service.) Received May 9, 9.10 a.m

LONDON, May 8. The Chamber of Commerce statement by no means disposes of the cultured pearl sensation. Jewel merchants are distinctly alarmed and have now resorted to X-ray examinations. Experiments are proving that the rays disclose an interior pearl, and are deemed the only effectual safeguard. Experts in West End shops; were, again besieged on Saturday with a procession of pearl bearers, anxious for an authentic opinion regarding cherished gems, or ready to sell in exchange for gold articles or diamonds. -/ The Daily Mail interviewed leading experts, who frankly admitted that they were nonplussed and state it is definitely impossible to distinguish between the Oriental and cultured pearls without an- X-rays examination or a break in the* pearl. Hatton Garden merchants are gloomy and expressed a hope that a real test will ultimately be found, but meantime fear the destruction of the trade by unscrupulous dealers handling cultured pearls.