Sea of Cortez pearl

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Pearl
Chemical composition Calcium carbonate, conchiolin and water
Crystal system Amorphous
Hardness 2.5-3.5
Refractive index 1.52-1.69
Specific gravity 2.68-2.86
Lustre Pearly

Color

The pternia sterna mollusk is also known as the "rainbow lipped pearl oyster" and produces pearls in many colors, ranging from white to black with any overtone (such as: blue, green, violet, purple, golden, bronze and brown).

Sizes

The average size of the Sea of Cortez pearls is 8.2 to 9.8 mm, but they can get as large as 14.3 mm.

Production

  • 2004: 2.8 kilograms
  • 2005: 2.5 kilograms
  • 2006: 2.8 kilograms

With an average weight of 1 gram, the yearly production is about 2,800 pearls.

Sources