THE ORANGE MELO PEARL: The Orange Melo Pearls, also known as the Melo Melo pearls are extremely rare and do not come from an oyster or mollusk but instead from the shell commonly referred to as the "baler shell" which can be scientifically classified as the gastropod known as the Melo genus. Melo pearls are found only in Southeast Asia.
FLAME STRUCTURE: One of the most attractive features of melo pearls is their fiery flame structure. On some pearl surfaces there is a regular pattern of parallel elongated striations that impart a silky sheen. In some specimens distinct microscopic “flames” can be observed that are actually thin lamellae. The lamellae are almost parallel to one another and when sometimes perpendicular to the axis of the pearl result in a “pseudo-chatoyancy” effect. Pearls with a distinct flame structure have a “watered silk” appearance towards the periphery of the sphere. In cases where a mottled texture of white or brown spots occurs, the flame structure is coarse and difficult to resolve to the unaided eye. These pearls tend to exhibit dimpled surface features.