Faceted pearls

**CJ57** · 06-11-2014, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by medusa

you don't love the butterfly ring?

I think it's the enamelling which I'm most impressed with. The stuff just remands me of Lalique so much, right down to the use of 'ordinary', non-precious materials (well the cord).

I like most of them but the dragonfly I could see me making use of, maybe it was the chord ! The enamelling is so delicate but unlike you I haven't been lucky enough to see Lalique in the flesh

**caroleallen** · 06-11-2014, 10:24 PM

The enamelling is simply incredible. You have to have a lot of expertise and also a lot of nerve to make them. I find myself holding my breath when my simple stuff comes out of the kiln - I'd be a quivering wreck if I was making those!

**SteveLAO** · 07-11-2014, 09:00 AM

pearlescence.....can you explain how the pearls are facetted? I've never seen this before. we're always told to look after pearls and not damage the surface.....Is it a facetted bead that goes in the oyster?

**medusa** · 07-11-2014, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by caroleallen

The enamelling is simply incredible. You have to have a lot of expertise and also a lot of nerve to make them. I find myself holding my breath when my simple stuff comes out of the kiln - I'd be a quivering wreck if I was making those!

do you count down the seconds? My friend whose been teaching me just gets on with other stuff and seems to know instinctively when it's done. I have to count out… usually to 150

**Dennis** · 07-11-2014, 01:27 PM

Last year I went to an exhibition, at the V&A I think, about the history of cultured pearls. What impressed me most was a picture of the boss and his staff, holding a ceremony for the oysters that died. Dennis.

**pearlescence** · 07-11-2014, 04:49 PM

Steve, the cutting is done post-harvest. Chi' s stuff is done with Dremel type things but I don't know about just facetted. Polished on a wheel I guess.
Yes, you need to look after the surface. Pearls are porous so absorb stuff like perfume (we had some back for re-stringing which RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRReeeeeeeeeeeeeeked) you can thump them on a table and they will be fine but they will scratch with something sharp The measurable hardness varies not just between species but even between pearls from the same species (as I know all too well from drilling them every day)

**caroleallen** · 07-11-2014, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by medusa

do you count down the seconds? My friend whose been teaching me just gets on with other stuff and seems to know instinctively when it's done. I have to count out… usually to 150

Yes I do count and I always keep the fork in my hand just in case I get distracted.