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Katie Shiparski. Pearl Oyster. Pinctata radiata (Gulf Pearl Oyster) Pinctada margaritifera (Black Lip Oyster/ Tahitian) Pinctada maxima (Gold Lip oyster) Pinctada maxima (White Lip oyster) Pinctada fucata ( Akoya pearl Oyster) Pinctada albino (Shark Bay oyster).
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Katie Shiparski Pearl Oyster
Pinctataradiata (Gulf Pearl Oyster) Pinctadamargaritifera (Black Lip Oyster/ Tahitian) Pinctada maxima (Gold Lip oyster) Pinctada maxima (White Lip oyster) Pinctadafucata (Akoya pearl Oyster) Pinctada albino (Shark Bay oyster) Taxonomy of types cultured { ~19 species Most popular commercially
Retail Multi Billion dollar commerce While cultured and natural pearls are considered to be of equal quality, cultured pearls are generally less expensive because they aren't as rare ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
How a pearl is constructed: http://youtu.be/qvyUwamNu9A Nacre
Thermal stimulation induces spawning After weeks of free floating they are moved into a ‘nursery’ or juvenile net Can reproduce at 6 months but optimal reproduction is between 2-10 years REPRODUCTION
A nucleus/grain (usually mother of pearl) is inserted with a piece of donor mantle tissue into the pearl pocket • Nucleus can be rejected in which case it forms a Keshi (beadless deformed pearl) • Can be graftedmultiple times • Species Dependent Grafting
Long line • Cages with string of oysters hanging Methods
Raft Culturing • Generally in bays METHODS
On bottom culturing • Granite/coral sand METHODS
Most species of pearls are ready to harvest after 2-6 years • Some only need 18 months (Akoya) • Harvesting done in winter months because luster is at its highest • X-rays used to look at the pearl size HARVESTING
Filtered water supplies most food along with microalgae • Adults can filter up to 5 L per hour • Low labor until winter months for harvesting Extensive aqualculture
Temperature • between 20 – 25C (77F) • Salinity • Prefer higher salinities, but tolerate wide range. • Bottom • Hard sediments/gravel are best • For best quality, avoid sand and silt • Depth • Optimum depth around 15 meters Water Chemistry and environmental requirements in culture
Almost 100% of new pearls come from aquaculture • Almost any size, color, luminosity, shape, etc. • Largely extensive Advantages OF PEARL OYSTER
Time consuming at first. In competition with imitation pearls. Can be effected by weather or natural disasters. More “rare” or expensive pearls have a limited production DISADVANTAGES OF PEARL OYSTER
….Put a ring on it SO if you like it…