Birth of a Natural Pearl

[fluffypuffyluff]

its a masterpiece of the nature!

[sparkelgirl11]

how is it natural if you cut the oyster?

[lasertracer206]

me  want to snatch them oysters to get them pearls :(

[donovle]

i could literally go "oystering" (term correct?) just for the thrill treasure hunting. i prob can't afford the damn license though.

[zarizzy21]

the pearls of guayma are not natural they are cultivated which a whole different process.

[PearlMan69]

@zarizzy21 We have a pearl farm here...means we grow oysters to produce cultured pearls, BUT some of the oysters (fewer than 30 every year) may produce NATURAL PEARLS. The ones you see in this video ARE natural pearls. I have another video about the HARVEST OF CULTURED PEARLS... if you watch it you will notice the pearls are very much different in size (cultured pearls are bigger) and the place where they are found: the mantle for naturals, the gonad for cultured.

[kibby669]

Its funny that oysters make pearls because of one grain of sand

[PearlMan69]

@kibby669 Never a grain of sand...just google "Cortez Pearl Blog grain of sand" and you'll get detailed information. The grain of sand explanation is given by those that believe in fary tales such as: "Babies come from Paris, by Storks", "The check is in the mail", "Read my Lips: No more Taxes" and so forth...

[zarizzy21]

@kibby669 i thought that pearls were made out of small thinga magingis thAT WERE IMPLANTEd IN THEM. WELl AT LEAST THose are a cultivated pearls. oppose to a natural pearl i don't know how there made.

[PearlMan69]

@zarizzy21 The "thinga magingis" is more of a "watchamacallit"...we call it a NUCLEUS. It is a perfectly spherical mother-of-pearl bead, and it is used for Cultured Pearls. For NATURAL PEARLS you don't use a single thing: they just happen!!!

It is very likely that they happen because a parasite attacked the pearl oyster.

[kathyxloveelyful]

when i was little i thought pearls were the oyster's baby! O_O

[jawbreaker480]

eww that looks like a blue waffle....

[PearlMan69]

@jawbreaker480 Never seen a blue waffle before...so I can't say. But BLUE PEARLS...oh yeah! And I do have some of those :)

[djkatana100]

@PearlMan69 dont look :| i thrown up al over the computer :L

[PearlMan69]

@djkatana100 I don't recommend you choosing a career in biology...stay with computers ;)

[maximuslt90]

@jawbreaker480 god no!!! no god please no....not the flashbacks!!!!

[RachelPaws]

does it hurt the oyster when you pull it out?

[NappyBunny416]

@RachelPaws Opening the oyster like that kills it.

[missPeachytree]

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwww­www but shiny!

[chelly314]

This is sooo beautiful..does it hurt the oyster when it's cut?

[TallRobby]

so what a pearl is a baby clam? or what?

[PearlMan69]

@TallRobby: Not a baby clam. For "babies" they just have normal external sex: sperm cells + egg cells = oyster larva. Pearls are a defensive mechanism against parasites. Will blog about this subject really soon...sorry for not posting the address here (I can't), but do a google search on "speaking of natural pearls" + "cortez pearls".

[mcgregor0001]

@TallRobby its sand trapped in a oyser's mouth

[17pearls]

I wanna be like a pearl ^_^

[omfgNstfu]

Somehow, I find pearls much more beautiful than diamonds or gold. Well, I guess it depends on what you think. =D

[PearlMan69]

@omfgNstfu: Me too...I prefer ORGANIC gems: pearls, amber and coral.

[Acroniscopi]

excellent luster will fetch a high price!

[MoniMeka]

it's beautiful! 

[alghoraba]

what is the value of these pearls

[PearlMan69]

@alghoraba

Pearls have to be individually appraised. Their size, shape, colors, lustre and skin purity will each have a say in the pearl's final size.

Also, how tall on the "food chain" you are will allow you to fetch a better price: if you have access to a King/Queen, President/Dictator, Movie/Music Star you can sell the same pearl for a better price.

[umean123]

@alghoraba pearls dont usually have a value probably cuz its just a parasite that got in it then the clam oyster etcs defencive systems used that bubble thing too suround and kill it causing u too think its a baby...

[PearlMan69]

@umean123 You could basically say the same thing of everything in the world (except for food) because "Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder". What is a diamond but a shiny rock? What is a ruby but another shiny rock? Can't eat gold...why is it worth something at all?

[Jcqsbrn]

Fantastic find!

[PearlMan69]

@Jcqsbrn: it was a great year in every sense...

[htirah100]

which is more expensive? ivory or pearl?

[PearlMan69]

@htirah100

That one is a tough question... mainly because it is inmoral and unethical to obtain Ivory. I don't think we can compare between these two things...

[redDL89]

are pearl oysters good to eat?

[PearlMan69]

@redDL89: Yep! But not all of the oyster's body is "tasty". The best part is the "abductor muscle", which is similar to "scallop meat": has a texture similar to Abalone, and a flavor similar to a scallop. Sure beats Fish Tacos ;)

[TiareMimosa]

Mr. PearlMan you can't sit here and reply to every comment saying how it's a natural pearl and how you care for them and blah blah blah. 1st of all it's a cultured pearl not natural...and yes, i do see that u said depicted but still your video title says "NATURAL not DEPICTED"! 2nd of all you could care less about the damn oyster, if you did..there are other ways to extract a pearl then to break the shell in half. No offense it's how you make money or whatever but keep it real.

[PearlMan69]

The pearls on this video ARE truly Natural Pearls. I am aware that you cannot discern this but it is not my fault. A video cannot be shot if the oyster's shells are closed: not enough light and the cam's focus doesn't work. So these are true technical matters, which I don't expect you to understand either.

I am a Pearl Farmer, I grow oysters and culture pearls for a living. Natural pearls are just a Gift from Nature, I don't make "real money" from them. This is REAL even if you don't believe it

[FirdaousEjannah78]

@PearlMan69 I believe you, I appreciate the video it is the first time of my life that I see a birth of pearl, it is just wonderful, I wish you very very good luck with those babies, I wish I could be an oyster or mussels farmer one day I am crazy lover of all

[cptkirk2007]

is that ting still alive, and your playing with its giblets?

[PearlMan69]

@cptkirk2007

The oyster was alive and the pearl "in situ" and this is what makes this video valuable: you get to see what it is really like to find a natural pearl. You may disapprove, but "Science is a Harsh Mistress" and demands actual facts...we could not learn new things were it not for actions such as these.

Now... these oysters did have a placid Life, cared and nurtured at our Farm, they were able of breeding several times: it was a Life worth living (for an oyster's standards).

[gammathetasbear]

lets say i found an oyster. would it have a pearl in it or would it be certain ones? could i keep the pearl or is that illegal?

[PearlMan69]

@gammathetasbear

For your statistics: only ONE (1) oyster out of every 10,000 will produce a Natural Pearl. But some people are really lucky!

You could keep the pearl...but make sure you are not breaking the Law: many countries have fishing bans on many species of mollusks.

[wassupmanG]

isnt this an abalone?

[PearlMan69]

No it isn't. Abalones are univalves (gastropods) thus they have only one shell. If you notice, you will find 2 shells on this animal: a "Rainbow Lipped Pearl Oyster" (Pteria sterna)

[foxygermangirl123]

how much would that pearl cost in the market?

[PearlMan69]

The market price depends on many factors. Also, you get a different price if you are the producer or the final buyer. Many hands will handle a pearl until it finally arrives with its final owner.

[ghostraven1028]

pearls come from sand that the clam or osyter have inside of them

[PearlMan69]

Unfortunately not from sand, nor bits of coral...the oyster is quite capable of removing these from within its body. Little worms -sometimes even drill mussels- drill the shell and weaken the shell, attack the flesh or even place little eggs (cysts) within the oyster's flesh...this is the true nature of pearls.

[Eduardoquiroga1]

so chicks like to wear cysts hmmm interesting

[PearlMan69]

@Eduardoquiroga1

Not just plain cysts mind you... think of pearls more like the incredible coffin of an ancient Pharoah... covered with artwork, gold and precious stones. It would be Nature's tribute to both the oyster's suffering and that of the tormentor...

[PrincessPetunia]

@Eduardoquiroga1

Between your comment & the host's reply, you have just *killed* pearls for me.

Forever!!

;o)

[PearlMan69]

Science is a cruel and harsh Mistress...knowledge takes away the Magic & the Fantasy, but you can always find a new "magic" in Nature's awesome capacity to produce beauty.

[PrincessPetunia]

It's still wonderful, and pearls are still beautiful. It's just thinking of them as little gorgeous coffins all on a string lends a most significant "Ew" factor to them. It's as if one is wearing a small cemetery around one's neck.

We grow up being told that pearls are formed from by a reaction to an irritant - usually a grain of sand. Your assertion is a far more gross method of conception, but... things is things. ;oD

[PearlMan69]

@PrincessPetunia

The "little coffins" would be true only for natural pearls. Few people are fortunate enough to own natural pearl necklaces... so it would not be the case for most pearl necklace owners: cultured pearls don't have the tiny parasites inside.

[PrincessPetunia]

@PearlMan69

Yay! Now I can wear the set I just purchased in good conscience - Thank you ;o)

[PrincessPetunia]

@PearlMan69

Yay! Now I can wear the set I just purchased in good conscience - Thank you ;o)

[TheOlivettidumball]

Crikey! Nice pearls you got there mate.

[PearlMan69]

@TheOlivettidumball

Thanks! We were very fortunate to find these amazing natural pearls... :)

[pgtv69]

does the oyster die when the pearl is removed?

and does a pearl grow into an oyster if its born from an oyster??

[PearlMan69]

@pgtv69

Yes, unfortunately it has to die. But its Legacy endures as the most beautiful natural gem in the world...

Pearls are a product from the oyster and will not become oysters...

[Hottyaniiii]

wow this is amazing... my name is pearl n i totally love em

[chinguidinsky]

does the oyster have to die to get the pearl?

[PearlMan69]

Not always...but most of the time it does. This is a short lived species (6-8 years) so it would have died in a short while anyway.

[videolver2]

how does oysters make pearls? how can you know it is a real one?

[PearlMan69]

Complicated to explain in such a short space, but just google/wiki "Biomineralization"...it will explain the biochemical process. There are many ways to discern real pearls from fakes, but my favorite method is called the "Flame test": grab a normal butane lighter and use it under the pearl for less than 8 seconds. Good pearls will not be affected (just remove the sooth)...bad pearls change (crack, color changes) and fake ones burn.

BTW, I will not be responsible for your use of the Flame Test.

[thecatinthehat111]

when a oyster gets a grain of sand inside its mouth thingy it coats it with a liquid when over time it builds up and becomes a pearl thats a short version

[PearlMan69]

Once more...no grains of sand are involved. My first experiments involved CUPS of sand inside an oyster. The results? NO PEARLS. The oysters cleaned up all the sand within hours.

[Duggie1968]

I love pearls! Specially the south sea variety.  But just the cultured ones. Natural pearls are way too expensive!!!

[tokyo3457]

I feel sorry for the oysters!! Imagine you have an object, stuck in your mouth for 2 years or more. And it's getting bigger!! That must be uncomfortable

[PearlMan69]

Think of the pearl more in terms of a Baby if you please...then, perhaps, it will not be as bad. ;)

[spanishmoonmaiden]

That pearl is stunning! Fascinating footage. Thanks for posting.

[Bobofet241]

I have a pearl necklace and when I wore it it felt like silk against my neck.I would love to culture a few of my own just for fun,I wish I could do that just for the personal pleasure.

[PearlMan69]

Most people cannot discern between a natural and cultured pearl. My guess is that -in your case- it must be a cultured pearl necklace...and from your comments: it must be a bad quality one.

Try to avoid Hate in your Life...it leads to negative things.

[browniesbear]

yeah thats true..

[may10501]

how could you tell if the pearl si cultured or natural?

[PearlMan69]

The easiest method is by using X-Rays on the Pearl. Cultured pearls and Natural pearls are easily recognized by their internal structure. Most Cultured pearls have a little shell bead inside.

[may10501]

xray?so you cannot tell by just looking at it?better to buy cultured then cheaper and nobody could tell yeah?

[PearlMan69]

Well, with some varieties of pearls it is rather easy to tell them apart. The perfect round shape usually tells you it is not a natural pearl, but you may also use direct sunlight on the pearl. If you know what to look for and you are a good observer you will be able to see the little bead under a very thin coating of nacre (pearl). There are tricks to this...but hard to explain without images. Maybe I'll do a video on this...hmmm

[thebeach2008]

uh we eat oysters what ur problem

[AndreeaMKU3]

that was a living being you just killed:(I will never buy pearl jewellery again:(

[PearlMan69]

Us Humans live thanks to the lives of other creatures: Plants, Animals, Fungii. Those "humans" that do not use other creatures to survive...don't survive. Such is Life. Sorry to bring such bad news :(

[greatstuff545]

So, this beautiful animal was died while you were showing us the "birth"?

Do you open one after another until you find the one with the pearl? Is this happening in Mexico?

[PearlMan69]

Yes, the animal died. Only 7 or 10 oysters die each year to obtain natural pearls as opposed to the 10,000 oysters per pearl in the days of yore. Thanks to Pearl Farming and Science (X-Rays help a bit) we can now have Humane methods to obtain pearls.

Also, the oysters don't have to die most of the time, the pearl can be easily plucked without harming the oyster...but for the video this was a necessity. It was impossible to focus the camera and allow for a good view.

[kulyia]

sumhow i dont like to wear pearls but love pearls and oysters..=D.same as BGsuck, are you rich?.haha

[phorcysx]

I just bought my first Cortez pearl. The oyster shown in this video makes the most beautiful pearls in the world.

[taitbryan]

....in your opinion. For me, having worked in far north australia on a pearl farm for some time, i say you have not even seen an average pearl. Gold-lipped Pinctada's in Australia and Black-lipped in Tahiti are the best in the world....BAR NONE!!

[PearlMan69]

Everyone can have their own opinion. If you believe that SSP's are the best: Good For You!

[keylimepiemoonlight]

i love pearls!

[AReasonToPraise]

I love natural pearls with a tailored black dress, and designer black patent 3 and a half inch pumps.

[4638JL]

Very interesting video. Thanks.

[disneylover696]

That is a beautiful pearl! I did that little oyster booth thing in Hawaii like a million times! It is so cool to see all the different colors there are!

[GBsuck]

lol are u rich?

[jOnAhRiceHerO]

PEARLS are soooooooooooooooooo PRETTY but I hate to see then once living thing dat had to die for it!

[PearlMan69]

But you can see this from another viewpoint: it had a chance to live a full Life (4 years) instead of dying at birth. Our Farm Raised Oysters come from "spat" (baby oysters) that are gathered from the Ocean using a passive collector. It is usually said that 1 baby oyster will reach maturity (in the wild) out of every 1 million born!!! So, by Farming these animals we actually give them the opportunity to LIVE and -very importantly- help create Beauty.

[gustaffnm]

That's the coolest thoughts I've ever heard! Gustaf

[GIA13615093]

A perfect pearl is a man's first gift from the gods. Since the dawn of human kind. Their radiant beauty and beauty has indulge them with luck, virtue and wisdom.

It is the most beautiful material found in nature. No need for polishing and enhancements. They are a true gift of nature.

[danasy87]

man I really hope someday there will be an animal that is cutting open Humans for getting their gallstones for jewellery

[PearlMan69]

Don't worry...they are lower invertebrates, they do not feel pain at all. They are more like "plants" in many aspects. Hope an Apple Tree never gets this angry.... ;)

[danasy87]

evenb if not. Just the fact that it is killed for the (from the oysters view) strange thing inside is grose. By the way the thing with the apple tree would be very cool. Nature takes revenge!!!!!!!!!!!

[quabot]

danasy87, the claim that nature takes revenge is about as ridiculous as I've ever heard. Nature does what nature does. And in the case of Lower Invertebrates, nature makes them to reproduce and be food for the higher ones. C'est la vie.

As for your claim that you hope "there will be an animal that is cutting open Humans for getting their gallstones for jewelery" does gold in teeth count?

[GBsuck]

ah shut up u vegetarian

[danasy87]

uhm, who gave you the right to call me vegetarian? for youre information i'm not.

[JOICEWANG1]

lol are you trying to say calling someone a vegetarian an insult? and im sure he has the law on his side when calling you a vegetarian. umm... its an assumption, darling.

[kuramin]

`´+`´

[MICMECMEXICALI]

que tipo de concha es?

[PearlMan69]

Una ostra "Concha Nácar" (Pteria sterna) del Golfo de California

[Inkkypoodle]

It makes you realize that the pearls you wear around your neck, came from such a beautiful thing & how valuable they really are.

[felipedelbosque]

how can anyone eat that animal. i almost puke. but the pearl is cool!

[PearlMan69]

It is not an "edible oyster"...it is an animal that produces pearls: a pearl oyster.

[PearlParadise]

I love it!