LOVE IS IN THE AIR
Just gorgeous Shiny, creamy and lustrous … what’s not to love about pearls? Eminently desirable, a string of pearls or drop earrings add a special touch to any time of day. They are associated with Valentine’s Day as one of the top choices when selecting a special gift. Compared to hard, rock-borne diamonds, many find pearls special because they are literally made by a living creature. With a not-so-inspiring beginning pearls are the natural reaction by an oyster or mussel to an irritation. The annoying bit of grit is slowly covered layer by layer of nacre until eventually a pearl is formed. Because this happens rarely in natural conditions, pearl farmers have developed techniques to insert the irritant into a living oyster. The Australian cultured pearl industry is world-class. Wild oysters are collected, ‘seeded’ (likely to be a small plastic ball or nucleus) and returned to the sea in cages. Pearl farms are diligently attended by surface crews who keep the nacre-forming oysters clean and healthy for up to four years until harvesting. Part of the romance of the pearl is the association with the history of pearl diving. Broome on the coast of the Kimberly in WA is a well-known centre for salt water natural and cultured pearls.
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The museum showcases the dangers of the industry including the extreme risks of hard-hat diving and when cyclones decimated a fleet of luggers in 1935 with 142 (mostly pearlers) lost. Courageous – or foolish depending on your personal risk assessment – divers in early tech suits were sent to the ocean floor, connected to surface air pumps by hoses to a brass helmet and wore lead boots to keep them weighed down. Peering out of portholes divers walked along looking for pearl oysters, filling a bag which was sent to the surface. Pearl shell was also valuable and used for buttons and jewellery. Dangers included nitrogen narcosis, decompression sickness, losing contact with the surface and the occasional shark.
In our more modern age wetsuit-clad divers use a hookah system of air supply from a surface ship, search for a good patch and scoop up Pinctada maxima oysters – but it’s still a dangerous occupation. Pearls – together with gifts of roses, chocolates and a fancy card – are now part of celebrating Valentine’s Day. If looked after, pearls are a lifetime gift. Some say they increase in lustre when worn regularly so don’t keep them in the dark … they belong in the light. Visit: t.ly/f06L-. Ruth Hickey
