During Queen Victoria's reign (1837-1901),
Figure 1. This group of
exceptional pink conch
"pearls" includes some of
the finest that were studied
for this article. The
largest, an unusually fine
porcelaneous "pearl,"
weighs 40.14 ct (22 x 21
x 12 mm). In some, the
delicate flame structure
typical of conch "pearls"
is visible with the unaided
eye. Specimens
courtesy of Susan
Hendrickson; photo by
Scott Briggs.
the shell of the conch was imported into Europe for
use in the manufacture of porcelain, to be carved
as cameos, and for collecting as a curio. Italian
cameo carvers preferred the S. gigas shell because
of its delicate pink tints [Streeter, 1886). Actually,
during the 19th century, conch "pearls" were often
referred to as "pinlz pearls." Alexandra, consort to
Edward, Prince of Wales, and daughter-in-law to
Queen Victoria, was partial to pearls of all kinds.
Edward and Alexandra were the leaders of upperclass
society during the late 1800s and early 1900s;
the trends that they set in fashion and jewelry
came to be known as the Edwardian style. Edwardian
jewelry incorporated a lavish profusion of
pearls and diamonds usually set in platinum.