Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: neilep on 22/11/2006 04:14:31

Title: Pearls ...what are they all about ?
Post by: neilep on 22/11/2006 04:14:31
Dearest Peeps Who know stuff and Know it well !

Pearls are great !!..Pear necklaces even better !! [;)]

But why do mollusc's produce pearly goodness ?...what use does it have for them ?...does removal of pearl mean the demise of the pearl maker ?

Me wants to know cos me wants to know !!
Title: Re: Pearls ...what are they all about ?
Post by: Karen W. on 22/11/2006 04:21:59
The pearl is usually formed around a grain of sand, or pariste or other foreign object.. Perhaps this is a way to protect itself, who knows..I am no pearl expert, but that certainly is an interesting question!
Title: Re: Pearls ...what are they all about ?
Post by: neilep on 22/11/2006 04:36:38
THANK YOU KAREN...so what is the purpose !!..is it just a bit of ' bling ' to add glitz to an irritant ?
Title: Re: Pearls ...what are they all about ?
Post by: Karen W. on 22/11/2006 04:46:46
Maybe it is like our body that surrounds a virus with antibodies to fight off a foreign invader, like the flu. perhaps it forms a shield around objects to imprison them and protect them selves aas perhaps they can't exactly " Spit it out!"
Title: Re: Pearls ...what are they all about ?
Post by: Gaia on 22/11/2006 19:26:20
Karen, I believe you've answered Neil's question!
Title: Re: Pearls ...what are they all about ?
Post by: Karen W. on 22/11/2006 21:13:36
Am I close to the truth or just way way out of the ball park..?? If I am right it was purely a very lucky guess...maybe some common sense who knows! Is that really close?
Title: Re: Pearls ...what are they all about ?
Post by: daveshorts on 23/11/2006 19:45:32
I don't think that a pearl is made of antibodies, it is possible they are involved in the initiation of it's creation. I believe that the oyster, muscle (or other bivalve) will tend to deposit the same material that the inside of it's shell is made of - nacre or mother of pearl - on something that irritates it such as a grain of sand. For some reason it doesn't stop once it is covered the sand and the mother of pearl keeps building up until you get a pearl.

Mother of pearl is lots of layers of calcium carbonate (similar mineral to limestone) interleaved with a protein called conchiolin. You get interesting interference patterns between light reflecting from the layers of the pearl, causing the cool irridescent pearl effect.
Title: Re: Pearls ...what are they all about ?
Post by: Karen W. on 23/11/2006 22:18:35
ANTIBODIES?? WHo said antibodies LOL Have I missed something...? HEE HEE!
Title: Re: Pearls ...what are they all about ?
Post by: moonfire on 29/11/2006 06:53:51
4 posts up
Title: Re: Pearls ...what are they all about ?
Post by: another_someone on 29/11/2006 15:41:57
Pearls are great !!..Pear necklaces even better !! [;)]

You like pear necklaces?  Certainly pears are cheaper than pearls, but how do you keep them fresh (or is this the ultimate ephemeral item of jewellery)?
Title: Re: Pearls ...what are they all about ?
Post by: science_guy on 29/11/2006 15:57:35
What?

You cant see the "l" that is the same color as the backround?[;)]
Title: Re: Pearls ...what are they all about ?
Post by: neilep on 29/11/2006 16:59:47
Pearls are great !!..Pear necklaces even better !! [;)]

You like pear necklaces?  Certainly pears are cheaper than pearls, but how do you keep them fresh (or is this the ultimate ephemeral item of jewellery)?


....yep..I did notice that but could not be bothered (lethargic mode) and it surprises me no end that George (are you back ?) picked up on it !!  [;)]

Title: Re: Pearls ...what are they all about ?
Post by: Karen W. on 29/11/2006 17:08:10
LOL>>> You are so funny! Hi guys pearls are very pretty!
Title: Re: Pearls ...what are they all about ?
Post by: another_someone on 29/11/2006 17:22:11
George (are you back ?)

Nope, I am front [:D]
Title: Re: Pearls ...what are they all about ?
Post by: neilep on 29/11/2006 18:36:45
George (are you back ?)

Nope, I am front [:D]


Oh FRONT !!!..sorry..I thought you said something else !!..(sorry)

George....be you front or back....we're all just glad you've returned !!..and clearly with some serious processing power !!..dans votre tĂȘte et votre PC !!....
Title: Re: Pearls ...what are they all about ?
Post by: Karen W. on 29/11/2006 18:41:47
George (are you back ?)

Nope, I am front [:D]

I love it Good job George! LOL My kind of humor indeed!
Title: Re: Pearls ...what are they all about ?
Post by: Karen W. on 29/11/2006 18:45:04
Hey Neil and George why is Another someone's name cut off at the lefton every post. anyone notice that but me. Please check.. The E is cut off!