Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-08-31

the Gems May Be Promoted Arti-
ficiaIly.
Half a gallon of pearls and one Of
them worth more than 5000 This IS
the remarkable sight today displayed
by Herman Myer of New York to a
few Of his personal acquaintance who
were invited to his rooms in the Pal
mer house. Although young man,
Mr.. Myer is recognized as the chief
promoter OF fresh-water pearl fishing
in the United States. He iG returning
from an extended trip through the West
and South III the course Of which he
has not only visited all the streams
which have acquired reputation as
pearl-producing waters, but has dill
gently. prosecuted a campaign calcu-
lated to give this peculiar industry a
start in places where the inhabitants
have not dreamed OF having fortune
dormant and useless in the shells OF
the CLAIMS in the beds Of their creeks
and rivers.
and accurate a knowledge Of the pearl
fishing industry in America as Mr.
Myer. who now carries in a shot bag
the largest number of pearls ever col
lected in one place and at one time in
this country. His purchases on this
trip amount to $4,000, and include all
degrees, costing from 10 cents to 5000
"The finest and indeed costliest
pearls in the world" said Mr.. Myer,
"are taken from the Suga~ river in
Wisconsin. This stream empties into
the Rock river in the northern eXtrem-
ity OF this state. Pearls of a beauti-
full metallic green and possessing a
superb luster are peculiar to this little
Wisconsin stream. Generally speak
ing. these pearls are worth about three
times as much as frst-class white spe-
cimens Nothing found in the Orient
approaches in beauty the superb green
pearls Of the Sugar river
"The greatest find in the fresh-water
field is that OF White river, Ark, dis
covered in 1879 The year following
the opening Of these fisheries they
yielded at the lowest calculation
100000 worth Of exquisitely colored
pearls which were bought to New York
and shipped to Paris, where the de-
mand for this variety is strong Hun
dreds of negroes came up from Mem
phis and worked the White river beds.
cat Paterson, n. J., in 1858, were dis
covered the first fresh-water pearls
brought to public attention in America.
About the same time settlers along the
Little Miami river, in Ohio, found few
good specimens in the mussel shells OF
that stream Not until 1888, when
pearls were found in astonishing num-
beers in shells taken from the Cumber-
land river. in Tennessee, did the indus
try of fresh water pearl fishing have a
beginning. From the year of its dis
coyery to the present the Cumberland
has yielded an annual pearl crop worth
S15000O No finer white pearls are
found anywhere than those taken
from the Tennessee streams. These
have the brilliant silver white lustar
which distinguishes the American from
the oriental pearl The latter has a
creamy tint.
"The pearl for which | willingly paid
$500 was taken from the Clinch river
in eastern Tennessee, and was bought
by tho local ieweler for $1,000 l know
Of no other pearl in this country that
is superior to this in size, luster and all
the other points which go to make a
perfect specimen, with the exception
Of that owned by Mr. Stetsop of Phila-
delphia That IS far superior to mine
and cost $1,000,
The most expert and conservative
dealers in pearls are now ready to adj
init that the silvery globe taken from
The American clam is superior to the
oriental article The former has the
billiaut luster Of a drop Of mercury
while the latter is more like a globule
of cream. London is the great pear
market, and the dealers there at frs
said the American pearls would not re
tain their beauty; but this was only m
4 excuse to gain time IN which 20 dispose
OF the orleutals. They thought Amer
lea would flood the market On th,
contrary, the supply OF pearls h3
never been equal to the demand, ant
the demand is constantly and rapid!
increasing
This increase is 10 be accounted fo
by a combination Of causes. The frs
/ ot the reasons for the popularity 0
the pearl is one OF sentiment. tn
pearl has d modes. beauty and purie
quite its oua-an individuality pos
sassed by no other gem This make
/ s, tn good taste at all times and undo
Am circumstances. Il can be appropri
ately worn when the display Of a
ornament OF any kind Is allowable
Then the wearing Of baroque. 9
rough. pearls has become fashtonab'
lu Paris They are mounted for scar
pins for men ana In a hGaderd form
Tor feminine adornmeat Those =,
, ~F.fYaffHs rs f0Hm the wing 8f AM fnSp.