WO2009131491A1 - Method for cultivating pearls of specified shape and size - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to the production of cultured pearls and can be used for producing large (equal to or greater than 20 mm) pearls of any shape on freshwater and marine pearl-shells as well as on nacreous layer forming molluscs. The aim of the invention for cultivating large pearls is to reduce the mollusc mortality by the absence of a foreign body rejection and to increase the reliability and efficiency of the pearls cultivation method. The inventive method for cultivating pearls of specified shape and size involves forming an aperture in the mollusc shell, introducing a core inside the mollusc through the thus formed aperture, sealing the shell aperture and subsequently forming a nacreous layer on the core. While introducing the core inside the mollusc, the pallium thereof is exposed to directed compression produced with the aid of the core, the core and the mollusc pallium are simultaneously dipped inside the mollusc at a rate of 0.01-2mm per day until a pearl-generating sac is formed from the pallium and, afterwards, the direct compression is stopped.

Description

 The method of cultivating pearls of a given shape and size

The invention relates to the production of cultured pearls and can be used to obtain large (from 20 mm) pearls of any shape on freshwater and sea pearls, as well as on mollusks that form the pearlescent layer.

Modern pearl cultivation is mainly based on three main techniques. Firstly, spherical pearls of all sizes are obtained using the well-known technology of implanting a tissue implant using a core on various types of both sea pearls and freshwater mussels. Secondly, hemispherical pearls with a size of 10-22 mm are obtained using the so-called “blister” technology, again on pearls (oysters) and freshwater mussels. Thirdly, irregularly shaped pearls, or baroque, are obtained on freshwater mollusks using the process of reusable implantations without using a core.

Currently, for the production of cultured pearls, pearl oysters are used as a mollusk.

However, the world water spaces where pearl mussels can develop are extremely limited and, accordingly, the production and catch of pearl mussels is also limited.

Various methods for producing pearls are known, involving introducing a seed core into the mantle cavity of the mollusk, which is fragments of mollusk flaps (B.V. Zikeev. Processing of non-fish raw water. M. 1950, pp. 212-21), slices of the mollusk mantle (Japanese application 59-32088, 1984), asymmetric crystals of carbonates obtained by crystallization of a nutrient medium, which is extrapallic fluid from the mantle layer of the mollusk (US Pat. RF N ° 2183401).

Known methods make it possible to obtain cultured pearls, only in appearance resembling natural.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) A known method of introducing a seed core for growing pearls in the mantle of the mollusks, comprising opening the cusps, piercing the edge tissue of the mantle of the mollusk and introducing the seed core (ed. Certificate. USSR N ° 1701214). Moreover, in order to increase the reliability of fixing the seed core and accelerate the process of tissue regeneration, the piercing is carried out with L-shaped sponges, before piercing, the core is placed between the lips, tweezers are inserted when piercing at an angle to the transverse axis of the leaflet, and then the lips are opened and the mollusk tissues are pushed apart with the formation of a L-shaped through hole tunnel to accommodate the core. The tissue under the action of the elastic forces of the muscles of the mollusk tightly fixes the core, preventing its loss. After the operation, during transplantation of the seed core, the hole in the tissue is sealed with glue and the mollusk is returned to the habitat. The disadvantage of this introduction of the kernel is the injury to the mollusk and its subsequent death.

Cultivation of pearls on the abalone of the Galiotis family is known (US Pat. No. 3,871,333). A rounded object, for example, a bead that forms the core, is carefully placed on the reproductive organ of the abalone through a perforated hole in the shell in the reproductive organ. Before proceeding to this stage, the abalone is aged in marine conditions for at least two weeks. It is advisable that the kernel was laid in the period from November to February. Immediately after laying the core, the hole in the shell is completely closed with a waterproofing binder or cement, and the treated abalone is grown in a suitable aquarium, after which the abalone produces pearlescent material around the core. Within about 10-12 months, the growth of the pearlescent layer becomes quite thick. The coarse pearl product is then removed from the sink and polished until the final pearl product is obtained. To implement the method, a core is used in the form of a bead made of plastic resin, which is attached to a thin needle and laid on a pair of disks (internal with a smaller diameter and external with a large diameter) with which the hole in the sink is closed. Due to the needle, the core is fixed on the sink. After completion of cultivation for

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) prescribed period, the abalone is removed from the water and the spherical prominence (the core covered with a layer of nacre) is separated from the shell

The disadvantage of this method is that the resulting pearls were not large and round, but only hemispherical and small, while a large percentage of death of maternal mollusks was observed. The abalone is single-leaf and requires great care and attention than pearl oysters, which are bivalves.

The closest technical solution to the claimed method is a method of culturing pearls of a given shape and size, including forming a hole in the mollusk shell, introducing the core into the mollusk through the hole obtained, sealing the shell and forming a pearl layer on the core (US Pat. No. 5,347,951). The core has a predetermined configuration and consists of the first part, around which mother-of-pearl is formed when the core is inserted into the mollusk through the hole. The other part of the core is a cork with a disk, which is firmly connected to the first part, and is equipped with retaining means on the outside of the sink to physically block the hole with a sufficient degree of force. Preferably, the outer surface of the holding means has cuts or an inclined or hyperbolic surface. The disadvantage is the impossibility of cultivating large pearls, the large mortality of mollusks due to rejection of a foreign body, many traumatic operations, insufficient sealing of the shell after the introduction of the seed core. The level of infection is also relatively high, mainly due to tissue injuries.

The purpose of the proposed technical solution is the cultivation of large pearls, reducing the mortality of mollusks due to the absence of rejection of a foreign body, the reliability and effectiveness of the method of cultivating pearls.

This goal is achieved through the use of the proposed method of culturing pearls of a given shape and size, including the formation of a hole in the mollusk shell, introducing the core into the mollusk through the hole obtained, sealing the shell hole and the subsequent formation of the pearl layer on the core, while introducing the core inside

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) mollusk on the mantle carry out directional compression using the core with the gradual and simultaneous immersion of the core and mantle inside the mollusk at a rate of 0.01 - 2 mm per day until a pearl-forming bag is formed from the mantle, after which the directed compression is stopped.

The rate of immersion of the core and mantle inside the mollusk, determined experimentally, ensured the viability of the mollusk and the integrity of the mantle.

The method is as follows.

Shellfish are sorted by weight, clean the surface of the sink from contamination. Then, in a mollusk shell, a hole with a diameter larger than the core is usually cut with a diamond drill. A plate with a hole is fixed on the sink with waterproof glue, on which the core is installed with a mechanism that allows for directed compression. The hole and plate are sealed with an underwater epoxy putty or a few drops of superglue. They begin to immerse the core and mantle inside the mollusk due to directional compression. The gradual and simultaneous immersion of the core and mantle inside the mollusk at a rate of 0.01 - 2 mm per day promotes the formation of a pearl-forming bag from the mantle. After the formation of the bag, directional compression is stopped and the formation of a pearl layer begins.

The viability of a mollusk at the first stage of implantation of a nucleus is assessed visually by its activity, for example, by the activity of the mantle upon irritation, the integrity of the mantle is also determined visually, for example, by endoscopic methods.

Through the use of the proposed method, mantle tissue is gradually redistributed and gets used to a foreign body, adapts to it. The process of forming a pearl-forming bag from the mantle lasts an average of two weeks, while the mollusk is in an aquarium with sea water. After the operation of introducing the core into the mollusk is completed, the mollusk is again placed in a conventional underwater cage or farm. The second stage - the formation of the pearlescent layer - lasts for 3-6 months and depends on the size of the mollusk and the size of the core on which the pearlescent layer is formed.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) The shell is placed in the habitat for the period of formation of nacre on the surface of the core of the required thickness. The core can be made of various materials: epoxy resin, acrylic, etc. The core can have any configuration.

After the formation of the pearl layer, the shell is removed from the cage and the core is removed. The pearl layer formed on the core represents a large pearl from 20 mm in size, which repeats the shape of the core. The pearl thickness is not less than 0.4 mm.

One of the advantages of the proposed technology is that the entire core can be held inside the sink. Using the proposed method significantly reduces mortality ^• - molluscs, it is possible to cultivate a large pearl.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims

 FORMULA A method of cultivating pearls of a given shape and size, including forming a hole in a mollusk shell, introducing a core into the mollusk through the hole obtained, sealing the shell opening and then forming a pearl layer on the core, characterized in that when introducing the core inside the mollusk onto the mantle, directional compression is performed using nuclei with the gradual and simultaneous immersion of the nucleus and mantle inside the mollusk at a rate of 0.01 - 2 mm per day until the formation of a pearl-forming bag from the mantle, after which, for example Augmented compression is stopped. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)