TWO TERM PEARLS
- - -
A Pearl of an Offer:
Avaiki Two Term Pearl application form, download here (227k PDF).
- - -
In cooperation with the pearl farmers at Ora Moana, Christine has negotiated a trial of leaving oysters in the water for Two Terms, 36 months, in a quest to achieve an extraordinary cultured pearl, possibly valued at $5000!
- - -
At $250, this is an exciting investment gamble, perfect for a special gift; we look forward to receiving your completed application.
INVESTOR STATEMENT
Background
- - -
The production of a Cook Islands Black Pearl is a process characterised by human endeavour and nature’s blessings. The hard work and good farm management along with the skill of the pearl technician are complemented by the abundance of the Manihiki atoll’s lagoon.
- - -
The process of culturing a Cook Islands Black Pearl begins with the collection of the young shell of the Pinctada margaritifera species, commonly known as a black-lipped mother-of-pearl oyster. Materials such as rope and shade cloth are placed in the lagoon at the time that the shells are spawning. As the larvae float around the lagoon, they will look for a place to settle, hopefully choosing the set collection materials.
- - -
After settlement, the growing shell will be left in place for 4-6 months before they are removed, drilled and re-hung on to grow-out lines. After another 12-18 months, the shells will be ready for the attempt to grow a pearl.
- - -
Two items are implanted into the shell to create the pearl: a shell nucleus and a donor tissue. The shell nucleus is a round piece of polished freshwater mussel shell. The species of shell used to make the nucleus is only found in certain rivers of the United States. The donor tissue is taken from another black-lipped oyster from the same farm.
- - -
The surgical operation is performed by a skilled technician. An incision is made into the gonad of the selected oyster, the donor tissue and nucleus are placed inside and the incision closed. If the operation is successful, the donor tissue will grow around the nucleus and begin covering it with the shiny mother-of pearl coating know as nacre.
- - -
If the shells have not been conditioned correctly prior to seeding, they may spit out (reject) the nucleus. Consequently, small polyethylene bags (catch bags) are placed around the seeded oyster before the shell is returned to the lagoon. After a six-week period, the bags are removed. If a nucleus is seen inside the bag, the oyster is separated from those that have retained the nucleus.
- - -
The seeded shells are left to grow for at least 18 months. During this time they are brought up for periodic cleaning to remove barnacles and weeds. At the end of the 18 months they are harvested.
Percentages
- - -
Pearl farming, like any other method of farming is a risky business. Mother Nature can be abundant but she can also be destructive. Exposure to cyclones is an annual event. As the highest point on Manihiki is only 5 metres above sea level, sea surges can cause wide-spread damage.
- - -
The growth of the pearls is determined by the growth of the seeded shell. Their main food is phytoplanktons and the levels of phytoplankton in the Manihiki lagoon varies considerably over a year. Unlike other farming methods, we cannot feed the shells!
- - -
Not every operation to seed the pearl will be successful. Out of every 100 shells seeded, approximately 25% will reject the nucleus within the first six weeks. Another 5% will die. Over the next 18 months, another 10-15% will reject the growing pearl. So out of every 100 shells, a farmer may get 50-55 pearls of varying qualities.
- - -
The quality of a pearl is determined by a combination of the lustre and the surface markings. The brighter the lustre and more blemish-free the surface, the higher the quality.
- - -
Generally speaking, a farm will produce approximately 5% A-grade pearls of different shapes in each pearl harvest. Another 15% B –grade, 30% C-grade and the balance in D, Low Grade and Reject pearls. When this is related back to the original number of 100 seeded shells, it means that there could be only 2 or 3 A-grade pearls per 100 seeded shells.
- - -
The average size of a pearl in a farmer’s harvest is normally between 10-10.5mm. There is a normal size range from 8-13mm pearls with the bulk of the pearls being 9 and 10mm. The occasional pearl may reach 14mm in size.
- - -
The four shape categories commonly used in grading a pearl are: Round/Near-round(RNR) Drop/Oval/Btn (DOB), Baroque (BAR) and Circle (CIRC). Approximately 10% of a pearl crop will be RNR, 30% DOB, 10% Baroque and 50% of a farmer’s harvest of pearls will be CIRC.
PROPOSAL
- - -
The proposal is to leave shells in the lagoon for TWICE THE CONVENTIONAL TIME. The hope is to achieve some spectacular pearls of larger size or unusual shape.
- - -
The process of leaving shells in the water for twice the normal term is new ground for the pearl industry. The percentages described above will only be a guide and could be completely changed around. We would expect the pearls to be larger, but will they retain the shape percentages? Will they match the existing quality percentages? What will be harvested at the end is completely unknown!
Process
- - -
The process will begin with the selection of the shell to be seeded. Normally a shell will be between 2-3 years of age when it is first seeded. As we will be leaving them in the water longer then normal the farmer will have to select shells at the younger end of this range. We will also ensure that the same size of nucleus implant is used for each shell, so that no investor is disadvantaged.
- - -
After the catch bags are removed from the shells, the investor has the chance to purchase a shell for NZ$250. Each shell will be tagged with the investor’s name on it and placed in an individual pocket on a panel net.
- - -
From there the farmer will take on the responsibility for the care and maintenance of the shells. The shell will be held for a minimum of two terms or 36 months. During that time, the farmer will clean the shell twice a year for the first two years. During the final year, the shell will be cleaned only once as the pearl will be getting larger and we do not want to risk dislodging it.
- - -
Other responsibilities that the farmer will take on are to check the lines at least once a month, maintain the lines at the correct depth and ensure that the shell is not lost. They will also keep the records of the cleaning and the death rates. At the end of the 36 months, the farmer’s technicians will carry out the harvest of the shells.
Investor
- - -
As the shell grows over the three years, the investor will be able to track the external progress through an on-line registry, which will be updated at each cleaning.
- - -
On reaching term, the shell will be harvested and the content of the oyster registered to the investor. With sufficient interest, a gathering may be arranged on Rarotonga, or even at the lagoon on Manihiki, for a ceremonial opening gala.
- - -
For those unable to attend, the content of their shell (if any) will be couriered to them at the specified address. |
