Thanks Janet. I find pearl peeling a fascinating subject. It is easy to understand why it was done, even, or especially, for famous pearls. But who did the skilled work? One slip, and a pearl could be ruined.

In the late nineteenth century and early twentieth, Thomas Bastion (TB) Ellies of Broome was recognised as one of the most skillful.






The Museum of Western Australia has a fascinating article for those who are interested.

WAM http://museum.wa.gov.au/explore/lustre-online-text-panels/lay

And a small segment in this video





I wonder how many of today's large natural pearls passed through his hands?