1. Pearl Oyster
Katie Shiparski

2. Taxonomy of types cultured{
~19 species
Pinctata radiata (Gulf Pearl Oyster)
Pinctada margaritifera (Black Lip Oyster/ Tahitian)
Pinctada maxima (Gold Lip oyster)
Pinctada maxima (White Lip oyster)
Pinctada fucata (Akoya pearl Oyster)
Pinctada albino (Shark Bay oyster)
Most popular commercially

3. Economic importance

4. ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE Retail Multi Billion dollar commerce
While cultured and natural pearls are considered to be of equal quality, cultured pearls are generally less expensive because they aren't as rare

5. Nacre
How a pearl is constructed:

6. Life Cycle and Larval stages

7. REPRODUCTION Thermal stimulation induces spawning
After weeks of free floating they are moved into a ‘nursery’ or juvenile net
Can reproduce at 6 months but optimal reproduction is between 2-10 years

8. Grafting
A nucleus/grain (usually mother of pearl) is inserted with a piece of donor mantle tissue into the pearl pocket
Nucleus can be rejected in which case it forms a Keshi (beadless deformed pearl)
Can be grafted multiple times
Species Dependent

9. Methods
Long line
Cages with string of oysters hanging

10. METHODS
Raft Culturing
Generally in bays

11. METHODS
On bottom culturing
Granite/coral sand

12. HARVESTING Most species of pearls are ready to harvest after 2-6 years
Some only need 18 months (Akoya)
Harvesting done in winter months because luster is at its highest
X-rays used to look at the pearl size

13. Extensive aqualculture
Filtered water supplies most food along with microalgae
Adults can filter up to 5 L per hour
Low labor until winter months for harvesting

14. Water Chemistry and environmental requirements in culture
Temperature
between 20 – 25C (77F)
Salinity
Prefer higher salinities, but tolerate wide range.
Bottom
Hard sediments/gravel are best
For best quality, avoid sand and silt
Depth
Optimum depth around 15 meters

15. Advantages OF PEARL OYSTER
Almost 100% of new pearls come from aquaculture
Almost any size, color, luminosity, shape, etc.
Largely extensive

16. DISADVANTAGES OF PEARL OYSTER
Time consuming at first.
In competition with imitation pearls.
Can be effected by weather or natural disasters.
More “rare” or expensive pearls have a limited production

17. SO if you like it…
….Put a ring on it