No. 34. — 1887.] PEAKL FISHERIES OF CEYLON. 



33 



I. — Sizing the Pearls. 



This is done by passing them successively through small brass sieves 

 (peddi, or " baskets " as they are commonly termed in English), like 

 saucers in shape, of about three inches broad and one inch deep, with 

 the holes in the lower part. There are ten such sieves, with holes of 

 ten different sizes. 



The pearls are sifted first in the sieve with the largest holes ; the 

 pearls retained by it without passing through are the largest, the first 

 size in fact. 



Such pearls as pass through it are then sifted again in the second 

 sieve, having next smaller-sized holes. Pearls retained by it are those 

 of the second size, and those that pass through it are again sifted in 

 the third sieve, with holes of next smaller size ; and so on through the 

 whole ten sieves or baskets. 



Thus the pearls are divided into ten sizes, which the valuer 

 generally places now on ten pieces of cloth on the table before him, 



II. — Classing the Pearls. 



Each of the ten sizes is classed separately. This step in the process 

 of valuation is the one that chiefly requires skill and judgment on the 

 part of the valuer. It is said, however (and with truth), that no two 

 persons will class a given set of pearls exactly alike, and that any one 

 person cannot class the same set twice in the same manner. 



The perfection of shape in pearls is sphericity, and the perfection 

 of " water," or lustre, is a silvery brightness, free from spots or dis- 

 colourations, and according as each pearl has these two qualities — 

 viz., shape and lustre — in a greater or lesser degree, so does the valuer 

 assign such pearl to its appropriate " class." 



Convention has established several classes, each indicating shades of 

 differences between pearls in respect of the two qualities mentioned. 

 The best description that can be given of these classes is a recital of 

 their names with the meanings of them, which for the most part 

 indicate their respective characteristics. They are as follows : — 



Chevvu. 



i. — A'ni (^ccstl): perfect in sphericity and lustre, 

 ii. — Anatdri {^esr^rrifl): failing somewhat in one point, either 



sphericity or lustre. 

 \\\.—Samatayam ^lq^luld) : failing in both points, but not very 



much. 



iv. — Kaiyeral (^S)^Qujpeo): failing still more in both points. 

 48—88 " D 



