y] pearls 65 



Globules of glass are used in one method. These 

 are made of an opal-like tint and then treated with 

 a special mixture known as "essence d orient. It 

 "consists of the iridescent guanin from the scales ot 

 a fish-whitebait." The scales are removed from 

 the fish, and rubbed in fresh water until they lose 

 the iridescent substance. This is abstracted from the 

 water and kept in ammonia. A drop of the essence 

 is introduced into the msule of the bead of glass and 

 the internal surface of the latter coated uniformly 

 with the mixture. The bead is then filled with wax. 

 Other variations of this method are used. 



Imitation pearls are sometimes made by cutting 

 out spherical pieces from mother-of-pearl shell and 



polishing them. 



Even artificial mother-of-pearl can be made now 

 in pieces of considerable size. Substances allied to 

 celluloid are prepared which are treated with "essence 

 d'orient." Naturally the structure of these imitations 

 whatever be their appearance is quite diff-erent from 

 real mother-of-pearl. i (. •„ 



The trade in these purely artificial products is 

 of considerable value and imitation pearl necklaces 

 are to be seen in shops in some of the best London 



streets. 



We cannot close this chapter without referring in 

 conclusion to the attempts that have been made to 

 stimulate shellfish to produce true pearls. This is 



5 



