Thread: Scale identification ?

Originally Posted by sharptonn

IIRC, a law in effect much as ivory and tortoise. Big pieces are nobueno now.
Here is another pair. Sadly, some panels missing from the box which has a date of Xmas 1907. Don't think it was ever used.

Law is not the issue for MOP.
Quality white MOP come from the same oysters as regular pearls, Pictada Maxima.
It's the same material as the highest grade of pearls.

The species, being actively exploited for perliculture, is in no danger, and there is no excessive cruelty in harnessing the material. Hence no law.
MOP is still available on the market, in different grades.

But not in these sizes.
Culture oysters never (or hardly ever) reach the size you would need for scales nowadays. Not by a lot : you need 7" or so for scales, you can get 5/6" pieces. And it's pricey.

It's more a matter of not being commercially practical or viable than a matter of law : there is more businesses in regular income from oysters that you seed periodically and put back in water than in waiting for the particular ones that will grow big enough to be harvested once.