Hatton Garden Jeweler Peter Truman introduced me to conch pearl in the 1991 and I have been smitten since. The photos do not capture the depth and movement of the flame pattern and how mesmerizing they are. Not a common pearl and well worth a look.

FACTS

Conch pearls are not classified as “traditional pearls”.

Traditional pearls have aragonite crystals which are layered with membrane-forming protein to form conchiolin or nacre. Nacre is what gives the pearl play of light called orient.

Conch pearls have an arrangement of crystalline calcite in concentric layers that interacts with light to create a changeable, sometimes undulating, luster across the surface. This phenomena is impossible to convey in a photography.

Conch pearls come in wide range of colors and are influenced by the algae that the conch consumes.

Conch pearls are heavier than traditional pearls and also tougher and therefore a good choice for jewelry.