Global Gemology - Rare Gems & Jewels
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KESHI PEARL

Picture
Vintage 5-strand keshi pearl necklace with 14K gold clasp and bead spacers
Multi-strand keshi pearl necklace
Species:  Pearl
Pearl Type:  Keshi (Non-nucleated)
Mollusk:  (Various mollusks and mussels)

​​Mohs Hardness:  2.5 to 4.5 out of 10
Color:  White to shades of yellow, pink, green, blue and gray
RI:  1.350 to 1.685 (+0.009 / -0.005)
Birefringence:  0.155 (use birefringence blink method)
SR/DR/AGG:  Too opaque to test
Spectrum:  Not diagnostic
Fluorescence:  Varies.  Inert to strong light blue, yellow, green or pink under LW and SW.
SG:  2.61
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Keshi Pearl Facts

Picture
Multi-colored baroque keshi pearl necklace with 14K gold clasp
Multi-color baroque keshi pearl necklace

What are keshi pearls?

Are they natural or are they cultured?

Well, they're a little bit of both!

Keshi pearls are not cultured, but are a byproduct of the culturing process.

Like natural pearls, keshi pearls are non-nucleated.  This means they are made entirely of nacre.

Keshi pearls can have very strong orient (multi-colored, iridescent overtones).

Keshi pearls can occur in both saltwater mollusks and freshwater mussels.

Keshi pearls are usually caused by a mishap in the culturing process where the grafted mantle tissue separates from the nucleus.

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • SHOP
  • SERVICES
    • APPRAISALS
    • EXPERT WITNESS TESTIMONY
    • SELL YOUR JEWELRY
  • GEMOLOGY
    • GEM ENCYCLOPEDIA
    • THE ART OF GEMOLOGY
  • JEWELRY EDUCATION
    • DIAMOND FACTS
    • JEWELER DIRECTORY
    • JEWELRY PERIODS
    • POCKET WATCHES
    • NATIVE AMERICAN JEWELRY
  • GLOSSARY