Hanabi in a Conch Pearl
Conch pearls are often appreciated for their pleasing pink bodycolor and striking flame structures. These pearls can exhibit a variety of flame patterns, from long and narrow to short and broad flames. Recently, the author encountered a conch pearl that displayed truly captivating patterns.
The pink oval conch pearl weighed 5.95 ct and measured 10.68 × 9.22 × 7.38 mm. At first glance, eye-visible flame structures were observed. Microscopic examination under fiber-optic light revealed a fascinating discovery of firework-like flame patterns (see above). The combination of these patterns and the warm pink bodycolor of the pearl was reminiscent of hanabi, the Japanese word for “fireworks,” which illuminate the sky every summer at festivals in Japan.
Flame structures can be explained by the interaction between light and aragonite lamellae microstructures of the pearl (H.A. Hänni, “Explaining the flame structure of non-nacreous pearls,” Australian Gemmologist, Vol. 24, No. 4, 2010, pp. 85–88). While it is rather common to find flame structures on conch pearls, the patterns exhibited by this specimen were remarkable.
