topic Re: Ming pearls in Community Chat

Ming pearls

------ — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 14:05:35 GMT

What do you think about Ming pearls? Apparently they are new to the pearl industry. I love the natural metallic colors but am not sure about the lumpy uneven surface.

Anyone own these? Why do you like/dislike them?

Re: Ming pearls

MaggieToo — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 14:18:30 GMT

Of course this is just my opinion, but these pearls are probably the ones that have traditionally been thrown out as not usable.

Sellers are running out of ideas to sell product, so they are calling these pearls by a "fancy" name and selling them.

Re: Ming pearls

RedHeadedWench — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 14:20:54 GMT

On 6/23/2014 MaggieToo said:
Of course this is just my opinion, but these pearls are probably the ones that have traditionally been thrown out as not usable.

Sellers are running out of ideas to sell product, so they are calling these pearls by a "fancy" name and selling them.

I have to agree.

It's just like the "dyed" or "color" pearls. Those are pearls that just aren't quite up to snuff, and they color them for use in jewelry. There must be a lot of them out there.

Re: Ming pearls

Lila Belle — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 14:25:18 GMT

I just googled them and it's a new process.

The new big thing (last three or so years only) in pearls are the big freshwater bead nucleated pearls from China. These are branded as Edison pearls or Ming pearls or are described as ripple pearls. They are big – up to 17mm, round or symmetrically baroque (because of the bead inside), have a lustre ranging from metallic to gloriously satiny, and a smooth to convoluted or rippled. They come in a range of natural colours from white to pink, purple, peach, gold, with greens and blues. (you can see our ripple pearls here and we have smooth surfaced Edison and generic bead nucleated pearls throughout the freshwater section ..here is one beautiful example of a bead nucleated Edison pearl necklace

http://www2.pearlescence.co.uk/blog/tag/edison-pearls/

Re: Ming pearls

------ — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 15:15:50 GMT

The Ming pearls in the photo in Lila Belle's link look nothing like the Honora Ming pearls. Of course there's a big price difference but they don't resemble each other at all. You're probably right Maggie. Thanks for the info Lila Belle.

Re: Ming pearls

esmeraldagooch — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 15:17:12 GMT

Ming Pearls are bead nucleated freshwater pearls grown in a hybrid of Hyriopsis schlegeli and Hyriopsis cumingii. They are grown in a gonad instead of mantle grown like most freshwater pearls are. You may also find these pearls known as Edison pearls. Edison and Ming are the same pearls but Grace has branded their pearls as Edisons.

Re: Ming pearls

esmeraldagooch — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 15:20:07 GMT

Ripple pearls are a by product of this type of bead nucleated freshwaters which were not perfectly round which was the goal of the pearl farmer.

Re: Ming pearls

------ — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 15:21:45 GMT

Thanks esmeralda!

Re: Ming pearls

azterry! — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 16:07:44 GMT

I may be the exception, but I like uneven, textured pearls better than the completely round kind. I was never a pearl fan until I started seeing some of the different textures. I also like the colors rather than all white.

Re: Ming pearls

NoelSeven — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 16:14:53 GMT

On 6/23/2014 azterry! said:
I may be the exception, but I like uneven, textured pearls better than the completely round kind. I was never a pearl fan until I started seeing some of the different textures. I also like the colors rather than all white.

I'm with you! I also love the Keshi pearls.

Re: Ming pearls

songbird — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 16:15:00 GMT

The valuable pearls are salt water, ocean roaming and perfectly round. I like pearls that come from real oysters.

Re: Ming pearls

Puzzle Piece — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 16:37:36 GMT

On 6/23/2014 MaggieToo said:
Of course this is just my opinion, but these pearls are probably the ones that have traditionally been thrown out as not usable.

Sellers are running out of ideas to sell product, so they are calling these pearls by a "fancy" name and selling them.

I agree.

Re: Ming pearls

esmeraldagooch — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 17:03:05 GMT

On 6/23/2014 songbird said:
The valuable pearls are salt water, ocean roaming and perfectly round. I like pearls that come from real oysters.

A Edison pearl sold not long ago at Hong Kong for $15 to $20 thousand a pearl.

http://www.pearlsofjoy.com/March-2014-Hong-Kong-Pearl-Show--Day-3_b_53.html