Getting a Real Pearl Education

Getting a Real Pearl Education

As this blog progresses, there are several educational topics that I plan to explore.  Topics, such as the grain-of-sand myth and the art of pearl culturing are high on my list. But to cover every possible topic related to pearls would take much more than a simple blog – the information could fill a number of different texts.

I’ve been asked many times over the years what pearl books or resources do I recommend for someone who wants to have a serious pearl education. The following are some of my best recommendations.

Pearl-Guide.com
A decade ago, I started writing content for this website and added a pearl discussion forum. The Internet was filled with misinformation and no single educational authority existed. Today, Pearl-Guide is the largest pearl-information source in the world with nearly 100,000 pages of pearl-related content and nearly 4,000 active members. The membership is comprised of pearl lovers, collectors, farmers, producers, processors, importers, exports, wholesalers, retailers … the list goes on. It’s difficult to pose a question on Pearl-Guide.com that hasn’t already been answered.

Pearls by Elizabeth Strack
Pearls is likely the most comprehensive and relatively up to date book available today. To pearl experts and collectors, this book is the published authority.

The Book of the Pearl by George Kunz and Charles Stevenson
The book was first published in 1908, but was as comprehensive as Strack’s book was of the era.

Pearls and Pearling Life by Edwin Streeter
If you find the desire to immerse yourself into the life onboard a pearling lugger of the 1800’s, this book will do it. Originally published in 1886, this book was owned mostly by collectors. In 2006, Hesperian Press published it once again.

Pearl Buying Guide by Renee Newman
The guide is a good book for those wanting to learn enough to make an educated buying decision, but doesn’t delve very deep into the history and market of the gem.

The Pearl Oyster by Paul Southgate and John Lucas
Is pearl farming in your future? If so, you’ll want to read book. If you’re able to make it through all 16 chapters, you will know far more than most about pearl oyster biology.

GIA Graduate Pearls Program
The Pearls course was written by a close friend and mentor of mine, Mr. Doug Fiske, who recently retired from GIA’s course writing department. I had the pleasure of traveling to China with Doug to do research for this course. Sadly, Doug retired before the course was finished and the editing, as well as the writing of captions for photos, was left in hands not nearly as capable or experienced. Overall, the course is worth taking. But it definitely could have been better.

Looking over my bookshelf, there are at least a dozen other books that I’ve found to be worthwhile reads over the years, including an old Xerox copy of the 91-page report on Pearl Cultured in Japan written for the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers. If anyone would care for a few more recommendations, feel free to email me.