Global Gemology & Appraisals is an NAJA Accredited Gemological Laboratory, owned and operated by one of the gem and jewelry industry's most highly-credentialed experts. Scott Papper is a Graduate Gemologist (GIA), Certified Master Appraiser (NAJA), Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA), Registered Gemologist Appraiser (ISG), and Accredited Senior Gemologist (AGA), to name only a handful. Scott is a fourth generation gem and jewelry professional with experience as an independent appraiser, gemologist, jewelry buyer, pawnbroker, and expert witness. In addition to having performed appraisal services for both private clients and those within the trade, he has also been engaged as a subcontractor to assist with the valuation of jewelry and watches that have been confiscated by US government agencies, including the US Secret Service (USSS), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the US Coast Guard (USCG).
ABOUT THE ITEM
Melo melo pearls are amongst the rarest gems in the world.
This magnificent, 1-of-a-kind platinum ring features an 11.45 ct. natural melo melo pearl framed by a halo of gem quality diamonds. Double talon prongs are used to secure the melo melo pearl while the diamonds are meticulously pavé set. Setting is stamped "PLAT".
Accompanied by GIA Pearl Report #6213073372.
Melo pearls are created by the Indian Volute (also known as the zebra snail or Melo Melo): an extremely large marine gastropod from the Volutidae family, found in Southeastern Asian waters. These large melo snails inhabit shallow waters off the coasts of Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines. Natural melo melo pearls are produced when an irritant, such as a parasite, enters the mollusk. As a defense mechanism, the snail will coat the irritant with a calcium carbonate over time producing a porcelain-like, non-nacreous pearl. The finest melo pearls are an intense orange color with visible flame structure. This flame-like or silk-like appearance is due to a phenomenon known as chatoyancy.
