Melo Pearl Gem Guide and Properties Chart

The Melo Melo pearl comes from the Melo Melo sea snail, a group of sea snails with scroll-like volute shells found in the South China Sea. The melo pearl is a non-nacreous pearl with colors ranging from light tan to brown, but orange is the most sought-after color. Melo Melo pearls are extremely rare, as no harvesting techniques exist.

General Information

Classification
Optical Properties
Characteristic Physical Properties
Chemistry & Crystallography

Common Name

Melo Melo Pearl

Species

Pearl

Transparency

Translucent - Opaque

Refractive Index

1.530-1.685

Birefringence

0.155

Polariscope Reaction

Aggregate (AGG)

Fluorescence

SWUV: Variable
LWUV: Variable chalky blue or orange

Pleochroism

None

Hardness

Specific Gravity

2.830-2.870 Typical: 2.850

Toughness

Fair

Inclusions

Melo pearls have a flame-like structure. They do not have nacre but do have a porcelain-like finish.

Luster

Dull, Vitreous

Stability

Poor

Fracture

Uneven

Cleavage

None

Chemical Name

Calcite and aragonite

Chemical Formula

CaCO₃ with H₂O and other organic materials

Crystal System

Chemistry Classification

Carbonate

Melo Melo Pearl Colors

Brown
Orange
Yellow

Alternate Names

Melo Melo Pearl

Countries of Origin

Myanmar; Viet Nam; Cambodia; Unknown; China; Malaysia; Philippines (the); Thailand; Indonesia

Care

Color will fade with long exposure to sunlight or UV light.