Kentucky State Gemstone

Fresh-Water Pearl

Adopted on July 15, 1986

In 1986, schoolchildren in western Kentucky petitioned their state representative to propose pearl as the state gemstone, and the Kentucky General Assembly made the designation official on July 15, 1986 (Kentucky Acts ch. 488, sec. 2). Freshwater pearls can be found in Kentucky and are attractive, but they are not typical gemstones. Gemstones are usually minerals. Pearls are deposits of calcium carbonate (aragonite, calcite, or both) called nacre.

Description

Pearl (nacre) is not a mineral because it does not have a distinctive crystal structure and because it is formed by the action of a living organism. Minerals are formed without the actions of living organisms. Because pearls have long been used in jewelry, however, they are considered gemstones.

Pearls form around irritants (usually sand grains) within a pelecypod shell (usually clam, oyster, or mussel). Freshwater pearls are the state gemstones of both Kentucky and Tennessee. Natural freshwater pearls were historically found throughout the Mississippi and Tennessee River valleys. Damming of these rivers, over-harvesting, and increased pollution severely depleted the population of natural pearl-producing mussels in these rivers. Today, however, mussels with freshwater pearls are cultivated through man-made processes on "pearl farms" along Kentucky Lake in Tennessee. Cultivation just across the border from Kentucky is a multi-million dollar industry, providing pearls to the Japanese cultured pearl industry. Numerous species of freshwater mussels (Unionidae), especially Megalonaias nervosa (washboard mussels) and Fusconaia ebena (ebony mussels), are used for cultivating commercial freshwater pearls. Different species produce different colors and shapes. It takes 2 to 3 years to cultivate a pearl. Not only are the pearls themselves harvested, but mussel shells are used to produce round "beads" that are sold abroad to use as the irritants around which cultivated pearls in "pearl farms" form.
 

The first experimental US freshwater cultured pearl farm was established in Tennessee by John Latendresse in 1963. Latendresse is the father of US cultured freshwater pearls, having spent nearly 30 years and more time, money, and effort than anyone else in the research and development of the industry. Since proving the technology for culturing freshwater pearls in the late 1970's, Mr. Latendresse has established five freshwater pearl farms. James Peach, who once worked with Latendresse, has established a single farm. Additionally, a single farm has been established in California using mussels from the Southeastern United States. These farms are the foundation of the US freshwater cultured pearl industry, and the cultured pearl is the heart and future of the US pearl industry.

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