Black Pearls
EXTREMELY RARE GEMS REGARDED WITH VENERATION The news that a valuable 'necklace of black pearls is to be sold by auction in London is a reminder that these extremely rare gems are regarded almost with veneration by connoisseurs, in spite of the fact that many prettier shades are obtainable in the pearl market. The majority of the black gems are found in the squid-infestea seas of the Mexican Gulf and the waters around the Society Islands, and are believed by native divers to get their unusual colour from the inky liquid squirted over the 03-ster beds by giant squids. Many attempts have been made—particular in Japan, home of the synthetic pearl industry—to blacken white or pink pearls by artificial means, but so far no method has been evolved which can defy detection. A real black pearl gives off a whitish powder when scraped, whereas the artificially blackened gem produces a jetblack powder.
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Bibliographic details
Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 80, 5 April 1938, Page 11
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154Black Pearls Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 80, 5 April 1938, Page 11
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