SAN DIMAS, Calif., Nov. 3, 2009 — Galatea of San Dimas, California has introduced the Galatea Mercy Pearl(TM), a patented pearl (U.S. Patent #7,062,940) that uses a center gemstone bead rather than traditional shell during the pearl culturing process. Chi Huynh, the Mercy Pearl’s creator and owner of Galatea, has also launched a new line of fine jewelry featuring the Galatea Mercy Pearl(TM) just in time for Holiday 2009. The collection includes earrings, pendants and rings set in white and yellow 14k gold. Retail prices range from $300 to $3500.
The Galatea Mercy Pearl is a pearl unlike any other, the first time in pearl culturing history that a pearl is grown containing a gemstone bead, and then hand-carved to reveal color beneath the pearl’s lustrous nacre or coating. It is one of the most significant variations in pearl farming since the early part of the 20th century when pearls were first cultured in Japan.
In 2005, Huynh began setting up a pearl farm in his native Viet Nam to harvest the Mercy Pearl in the country’s coastal waters. The oysters are first enucleated with perfectly round gemstone beads such as turquoise, amethyst, garnet, citrine and opal and left to grow for almost a year to obtain its luxurious nacre or exterior coating. The pearls are then carved by hand with signature Galatea flourishes to let the gemstone beneath the pearl shine through.
Huynh, who is known for his hand-carved cultured pearls, founded Galatea in 1994. He came upon the idea for the Mercy Pearl in early 2000 after nicking a traditional pearl during the carving process and exposing its mother-of-pearl center. Shortly after, he began the time-consuming process to culture and eventually patent the Mercy Pearl, which was originally grown in the warm waters of Tahiti.
The new Mercy Pearl line also includes variations on the Galatea Diamond in a Pearl(TM), one of Galatea’s best-known and best-selling designs. Each Diamond in a Pearl contains a delicate setting that holds a round brilliant diamond. Both the Galatea Mercy and Diamond in a Pearl collections are set in 14k white and yellow gold and include pendants, earrings and rings. Retail prices range from $300 to $3500.
Chi Huynh is the founder and creative force behind Galatea of San Dimas, California. A painter, poet and humanitarian, Huynh founded the company in 1994. He learned the jewelry trade by apprenticing for his father, one of Viet Nam’s most respected jewelers. Today, Galatea manufactures both in the U.S. and Viet Nam and sells to approximately 1500 retail jewelers throughout the United States. The company also has distribution in both Europe and Asia. For additional information about Galatea, the Galatea Mercy Pearl or Galatea Diamond in a Pearl collections, please visit the website at http://www.galateausa.com. Please contact Barbara Moss at 862-596-8000 or by email at americanwillow@gmail.com for interviews with Chi Huynh or for additional high-resolution images.
Photos:
http://www.ereleases.com/pr/Galatea.jpg
http://www.ereleases.com/pr/Mercy-Pearl.jpg
# # #
