AUSTRALIA'S PEARLS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 112, 29 January 1918, Page 8

AUSTRALIA'S PEARLS

GEMS OF BAREST BEAUTY HOW THEY GET TO THE MARKET IA pearl, tho value of which is 1 sol down at £40,000, is on exlii--1 bition in Melbourne. It is said to liavo boon picked up in deep water off Broome, Y\'.A., thrco months ago.—Router's cablegram.] It is not generally known (states an article in tlio Sydney "Sun"), that Australian gom pearls arc only a byproduct of tlio pearl-shell industry. lu the waters of Ceylon and the Persian Gulf, tho pearl is tho chief thing sought; but whilst shell from those fisheries .will only make £40 a ton, an equal weight of Australian pearl shell will bring up to as high as £300 a foil. The nacreous lustre of file Australian pearl shell is not equalled by any oilier in the world. But if the home of (lie Australian oyster is a nalacc of beauty, the bivalve has its faults—it is not prolific of pearls. In point of lustre, the Australian pearl— whether from the waters of tho Northern Territory or Torres Straits— lin.- no equal; and people who interest themselves in pearls wonder how it-is flint the Persian Clulf pearl brings a. greater return per rata of weight and quality llinn an Australian pearl. The answer is simple—flie Australian pearl is light., almost white in colour, and can only bo worn with true distinction to adorn beauty by those who have, pure white skins. In other words, it is a gem for tlio fairest of the fair. At the outbreak of the war there were about 100 luggers at Broome. Tliny were maimed mostly by young men in tho prime of life, who when the eall lo arms came beachcd their boats, and practically enlisted to a_ man. Some of them are well-known in Sydney. They have risen in the ranks to high positions, having beev promoted on the battlefield._ Manv of them will never be able again to follow that enthralling occupation' of unlocking the treasure house of the deep. Treasures in Chicken Oysters. The pearls yielded by the oysters range from seedlings to gems equal in size to the largest in the world. A 50 grain pearl is an exception, and anything that goes over that weight is rare. Strange as it may seem the largest pearls do not necessarily come from tho oldest oysters. The best pearls have been taken from what the pearlers eall "chickens " The Australian method of pearling is carried on somewhat differently from the old-fashioned system. With the fleet of luggers there is a schooner which is connected with at least a counle of motor launches, which go round and collect tho shells twice a day. The oysters are opened every morning, and the pearls are whisked out with speed. If the nearl adheres to the shell it is left there to be removed by experts. The healthier the fish the morn perfect the lustre of the shell. The ancient 'method of leaving the bivalves to putrify before taking the pear! out is thus abolished. and the pearler not only gets a bkger return, but a quicker one; for the pearls are readv to send to the dealer immediately the boat, drops anchor. Of course some are lost. The'covetous servant exists in all occupations. Quick eyes wait for the shell to open for an instant while the oyster breathes. There is a flash like a gleam of moonlight as the pearl glints inside, and in an instant a match or a bit- of wood is slipped in, the oyster is unable to close its shell tightly, and is smothered with air. The pearl is extracted like.lightning and hidden. The Two Values. There are only two gem values— j pearls and baroque. Pearls are perI fectly shaped gems, whether round, oval, or pearl-shaped. The terni baroque is given to any pearl which shows an irregularity in its contour, which consequently lowers its value. The distinction between baroque and pearl is clearly defined by all dealers— when buying it is baroque; when selling it is pearl. The eye of the expert can invariably tell by the shape of the pearl in which part of the shell the, gem was found. There are 20 men in Australia'who can almost instantly tell by looking at the pearl from what locality it came. The expert is not to be fooled. Up to the weight of half a grain the pearl is known as a seed. The value varies according to shape and lustre. A 100-grain pearl could not be of less value than £200, and it would not need to be very perfect to attain a value of £10,000. Perfect pedrls are a giltedged investment. Pearls have doubled their value during the past five years. The Austra'ian pearling industry has been in operation for about 35 years. In the beginning it was conducted by swimming divers. To-day."dress" divers do the work. During the period, the value of the pearl has increased twenty-fold. That is to say, a pearl purchased for £100 in 188S 1 is now worth—providing it is in good condition —£2000. During tho past 15 years at least 100 pearls have been taken from Australian waters worth from £1000 upwards. The reason they have not been much heard of is because buyers have bought for European marketsLondon or Paris. They never advertise their wares, but take them right into the market. In addition it is a rare occasion when a single pearl is picked out. ' Nor are the pearls classified or matched. The pearler sells his find in the bulk—pearls-or baroque. The bad must be taken with the good, otherwise the buyer would pick the eyes out of the hulk, and the peajler would be left with the poor stuff on "his hands. , It-is the jeweller and the gem-fetter who does the matching. The pearl sots the social standard. It is the jewel of distinction. Diamonds are owned by the many; only a person of quality can own a rope of pearls. To-day when tho world is in mourning tho pearl is more sought after_ as an article of jewellery—because it is not a gem that must be doffed and put away. The pearl is in equal ftood taste when worn either in time of joy or sorrow.. A DOSE AT BEDTIME BANISHES CONSTIPATION, WHITES DUNEDIN LADY. "I can sneak from experience of Dr. Morse's Indian Root Pills," writes Mrs. Catherine J. Douglas, of 5 St. Andrew Street, Dnnedin. "As I was subject to constipation, receiving one of your pamphlets nnd reading of similar sufferers derivin? benefit from your lulls, I determined to give them a trial. I found these pills act in a mild manner. encoiwaßing nature's functions. I am never such a sufferer now as in the past, and I attribute this, condition to your remedy. If ever I fancy ft recurrence of Constipation is noticeable, I find two pills taken at bedtime vanish all symptoms of this common complaint. 1 am a mother of soven children, and occasionally find this nirdi-cine-useful with the older members of the family. You may use this testimony for publication wlion desired."