The facts
What keshi Pearl actually is
Mineralogically, keshi Pearl is non-beaded pearl formed accidentally in a cultured oyster after bead rejection - solid nacre, but a by-product of culturing — Solid aragonite nacre with conchiolin, crystallising in the aggregate (orthorhombic aragonite) system.
The colour is caused by conchiolin pigments plus strong nacre interference; often high lustre because it is solid nacre. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.52-1.69, and the specific gravity sits near 2.65-2.78; cleavage is none.
Where keshi Pearl comes from
The recognised sources are Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia (Tahitian keshi), Broome, Western Australia, and Indonesia (South Sea keshi) and Ise-Shima, Japan (akoya keshi).
Origin affects price in this material, so we name the locality on every quote rather than the country. "African" or "Asian" tells a buyer nothing.
How keshi Pearl is treated
Must be disclosed as cultured, not natural - CIBJO and GIA treat keshi as a cultured pearl product because it only arises inside a cultured oyster. French Polynesia has at times restricted keshi export. Tahitian keshi is often dyed. No CITES.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What keshi Pearl is confused with
The usual confusions are Natural pearls (this is the misrepresentation) and Small baroque freshwater pearls.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.52-1.69 and specific gravity 2.65-2.78 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What keshi Pearl is used for
Keshi Pearl is bought by jewellery — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat.
Durability and care
Hardness 2.5-4; cleavage none. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
Below about 5.5 a stone will be scratched by ordinary household dust, which is largely quartz. That does not make it unusable — it makes it a pendant, an earring or an object rather than a ring worn every day.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What keshi Pearl costs
Indicative pricing for keshi Pearl is $5-150 per carat depending on origin, lustre and size.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is keshi Pearl treated, and how?
Must be disclosed as cultured, not natural - CIBJO and GIA treat keshi as a cultured pearl product because it only arises inside a cultured oyster. French Polynesia has at times restricted keshi export. Tahitian keshi is often dyed. No CITES.
Where does keshi Pearl come from?
Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia (Tahitian keshi), Broome, Western Australia, and Indonesia (South Sea keshi) and Ise-Shima, Japan (akoya keshi). Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is keshi Pearl hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At 2.5-4 on the Mohs scale it is softer than the quartz dust in ordinary household dirt, so it scratches with wear. It suits pendants, earrings and objects better than a daily ring.
How much does keshi Pearl cost?
Indicatively $5-150 per carat depending on origin, lustre and size. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is keshi Pearl confused with?
Most often Natural pearls (this is the misrepresentation) and Small baroque freshwater pearls. A refractive index of 1.52-1.69 and a specific gravity near 2.65-2.78 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for keshi pearl?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about keshi pearl