Pinctada radiata, the atlantic pearl oyster, produces several different
colors of  pearls depending on where on the shell the irritation lodges. The
outer edges are black and there are also zones of pink and bluish as well.

Peggy
                     Visit my website at http://www.shelltrips.com
                                  Peggy Williams
                                   Shell Elegant
                                    PO Box 575
                                Tallevast FL 34270
                                   (941) 355-2291
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> From: Avril Bourquin <[log in to unmask]>
> Reply-To: Conchologists of America List <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2001 11:16:36 -0600
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: pearls
>
> Hello Conchlers,
>
> I have received more information on the pearl question.  This might narrow
> the response down a bit.  Thanks again for all help
> Avril
>
> <Hi Avril,
>
> Thank you for your help. What made me wonder was a strand of pearls I saw in
> Bahrein in the early 80s that was a deep red with purple, blue, and gold
> overtones. It was then as is now illegal to sell or even own cultured and
> particularly dyed pearls in Bahrein, so they had to be natural pearls of
> natural color. Now I'm trying to find out what animal they came from.
> Although the abalone produces a red nacre shell when feeding on red kelp
> and, as such, should be producing also red pearls if it so does, I don't
> think that there are many abalone and much red kelp in the Arabian Gulf. I
> may be wrong about that, but the purpura snail is still a hot candidate with
> me.
>
> Zeide>