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Tears of Mermaids: The Secret Story of Pearls
For Tears of Mermaids , Stephen G. Bloom traveled 30,000 miles to trace a single pearl—from the moment a diver off the coast of Australia scoops from the ocean floor an oyster containing a single luminescent pearl to the instant a woman on the other side of the world fastens the clasp of a strand containing the same orb. Bloom chronicles the never-before-told saga of the global pearl trade by gaining access to clandestine outposts in Japan, China, the Philippines, French Polynesia and Australia. Bloom infiltrates high-tech pearl farms and processing facilities guarded by gun-toting sentries, and insinuates himself into the lives of powerful international pearl lords. Bloom farms for pearls in rural China, goes behind scenes at million-dollar auctions in Hong Kong, trails pearl brokers and Internet entrepreneurs in Asia, hires himself out as a deckhand on an Australian pearling vessel, and goes backstage at Christie’s for a fast and furious auction of the most expensive pearl ever sold. Teeming with rogue humor and uncanny intelligence, Tears of Mermaids weaves a nonstop detective story of the world’s most enduring gem.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
14 people are currently reading
504 people want to read
About the author
Stephen G. Bloom
10 books16 followersI teach narrative journalism at the University of Iowa. I'm the author of The Audacity of Inez Burns: Dreams, Desire, Treachery & Ruin in the City of Gold (Regan Arts, 2018); Tears of Mermaids: The Secret Story of Pearls (St. Martin's Press, 2011); The Oxford Project [with photographer Peter Feldstein] (Welcome Books, 2010); Inside the Writer's Mind (Wiley, 2002); and Postville: A Clash of Cultures in Heartland America (Harcourt, 2000). I've worked as a reporter for The Los Angeles Times, Dallas Morning News, San Jose Mercury News, and Sacramento Bee. My essays and articles have appeared in Smithsonian, Sunday Guardian, The New York Times, Best New Writing 2016, Salon, Washington Post, and The Atlantic. For more information, please see: https://clas.uiowa.edu/sjmc/people/st...
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 29, 2014
I don't think I would have been able to finish this book if it wasn't for the fact that I was confined in a bus that got stuck in a massive traffic jam for 27 hours going from Denpasar to Surabaya, had no other source of entertainment (phone battery tapped out), and had no other reading materials (it was the only book I brought with me).
Of course, you don't really need to know how I finished this book, but subjecting you to that information despite having no relevance whatsoever with the subject at hand is exactly like reading this book. Very often, the author would start a section/chapter by explaining his circumstances first--how he went to great length to get to the bottom of pearl production. Which only managed to give me the impression of him as a misunderstood artist, him living in a world where even his family doesn't get him.
I'm sure that this book could've been compelling (after all this is why I picked up this book: the premise was interesting and I know next to nothing about pearl or any other gemstones), but 100-pages in, I wonder if it's at all possible to write an engaging story about worldwide pearl production in more than five chapters. Afterall, the techniques were the same: you insert a bead, return the oyster to the water for several years, harvest them, and then sell them. The oysters might come from different species, which would account for the diversity of the colors and sizes, but that's about it.
I'd only recommend this book if you're familiar with the dealers and company heads in the pearl world (or if you are very interested to know about them), because in the end, this book is more about them.
I would have given this book 2 stars if it wasn't for a particular passage near the end. He recounted a story when he gave a talk on pearl, and a woman in the audience afterwards approached him to let him know that he *gets* pearls in a way that no one does, and how pearls gave her a spiritual connection. The author made a point of writing a paragraph "for the skeptics out there" that this woman was a perfectly rational woman that did not give off a new-age vibe. And then continued to tell her story that she did a long-distance healing over the phone to a client in Jerussalem from North America. Without irony.
Of course, you don't really need to know how I finished this book, but subjecting you to that information despite having no relevance whatsoever with the subject at hand is exactly like reading this book. Very often, the author would start a section/chapter by explaining his circumstances first--how he went to great length to get to the bottom of pearl production. Which only managed to give me the impression of him as a misunderstood artist, him living in a world where even his family doesn't get him.
I'm sure that this book could've been compelling (after all this is why I picked up this book: the premise was interesting and I know next to nothing about pearl or any other gemstones), but 100-pages in, I wonder if it's at all possible to write an engaging story about worldwide pearl production in more than five chapters. Afterall, the techniques were the same: you insert a bead, return the oyster to the water for several years, harvest them, and then sell them. The oysters might come from different species, which would account for the diversity of the colors and sizes, but that's about it.
I'd only recommend this book if you're familiar with the dealers and company heads in the pearl world (or if you are very interested to know about them), because in the end, this book is more about them.
I would have given this book 2 stars if it wasn't for a particular passage near the end. He recounted a story when he gave a talk on pearl, and a woman in the audience afterwards approached him to let him know that he *gets* pearls in a way that no one does, and how pearls gave her a spiritual connection. The author made a point of writing a paragraph "for the skeptics out there" that this woman was a perfectly rational woman that did not give off a new-age vibe. And then continued to tell her story that she did a long-distance healing over the phone to a client in Jerussalem from North America. Without irony.
February 24, 2013
This book made me want to buy pearls. After a day or two, I said, "forget it". Bloom wrote an interesting book on pearls, some history, but more time was spent on modern pearl harvesting and trade.
September 12, 2020
The world has this image of a luminescent white globe which is the pearl - one of the few gemstones that are derived from a plant or animal. Coral and amber are two others.
But all pearls are not round nor are they always white. There are naturally occurring silver, gold, pink, and black. Those with hints of green and blues. It all depends on the environment in which they are grown as well as the species that grow them. And not all pearls come from oysters. Some are from mussels. Some are grown in fresh water while others are in salty. One aspect that is nearly consistent across the industry is that the water pearls are grown in has to be relatively untainted, clear and pollution-free. Major storms can devastate and traumatize nurturing oyster beds.
And natural doesn't mean what it used to. A 'natural' pearl being discovered that has not been influenced by human intervention - no seeding bead or mantle flesh imbeded inside - are increasingly rare. Most pearls are cultured - the bead with a thin coating of nacre. Or they're completely fake.
This is the tale of the author as his fascination with pearls takes him literally across the globe, telling the history of a location - from the pearl industry standpoint - and then his own adventures there, the people he met and the places that he managed to get an invite into.
Starting in the Pearl City/Kobe, Japan where beautiful akoya pearls were bought by occupying American soldiers to take back to their spouses and sweethearts. Then on to China which seems to supply a limitless supply of cultured freshwater pearls. Rural China literally has tons of freshwater pearls produced each year and less than half are exported.
On to Hong Kong where dealers and traders come to invitation-only auctions sponsored regularly by some of the pearl-producing companies. He notes that the really high-grade pearls and the unique items rarely go to auction - it's all private deals which will in turn be sold to jewelers to make into the spectacular pieces for the showroom cases or grace the bodies of celebrities in order to lure a buyer.
The Philippines where natural golden as well as the black pearls were discovered. French Polynesia and then to Broome, in northwestern Australia, where some of the largest pearls are grown. Mr. Bloom actually worked as a deckhand on an Australian lugger for a few days and as interesting as the adventure was, his attempts at getting the accented conversations of his fellow crew-members brought the book to a screeching halt as I tried to determine what they were saying. Not sure if it was the due to the actually way the people talked or the way Bloom wrote it. May simply be due to my being American and unfamiliar with the distinctive patterns of speech.
And lastly, to the first place pearls were found in the New World - the island of Cubague off the coast of Venezuela. During 1509 through 1536, the Spanish extracted estimates of at least 113 million pearls or more than 12 tons of those little orbs. Based on actually records, during one month, 12,000 ounces (750 pounds or 340 kilos) of pearls. Of course, pirates and other countries wanted in on the action, the city and island was plundered, destroyed and abandoned but at one time, the amount of pearls processed were 10 times as much as all the other goods exported by the Spanish - that includes gold and silver.
Today, if you want to go to the island - the settlement is in ruins - you have to convince a boat captain to take you. There is no direct route and it may take a hour, it may take two depending on how direct the path is. Once there, you may find a fisherman or two but few people live there even temporarily. Diving was pearls isn't done anymore. Dredging for oysters in order to sell the meat is done by a few. A small pearl may be found but it's unlikely. The massively productive beds of 4 centuries ago are gone.
Like too many commodities, human have decimated environment and the producers in their appetite for pretty things. But as I said earlier, pearl production today has to be one of the most environmentally courteous industries - at least from the growers position. Oysters and mussels want relatively undamaged environments to produce. And some growers treat the oysters far better than their employees.
Overall, interesting about the history as well as the different locations and he does go into how to care for your pearls as well as how to tell the real ones from fake painted glass or plastic beads. And he does remember to bring his wife some rather glorious strands of pearls from various locations since he was gone on and off for three years.
2020-181
But all pearls are not round nor are they always white. There are naturally occurring silver, gold, pink, and black. Those with hints of green and blues. It all depends on the environment in which they are grown as well as the species that grow them. And not all pearls come from oysters. Some are from mussels. Some are grown in fresh water while others are in salty. One aspect that is nearly consistent across the industry is that the water pearls are grown in has to be relatively untainted, clear and pollution-free. Major storms can devastate and traumatize nurturing oyster beds.
And natural doesn't mean what it used to. A 'natural' pearl being discovered that has not been influenced by human intervention - no seeding bead or mantle flesh imbeded inside - are increasingly rare. Most pearls are cultured - the bead with a thin coating of nacre. Or they're completely fake.
This is the tale of the author as his fascination with pearls takes him literally across the globe, telling the history of a location - from the pearl industry standpoint - and then his own adventures there, the people he met and the places that he managed to get an invite into.
Starting in the Pearl City/Kobe, Japan where beautiful akoya pearls were bought by occupying American soldiers to take back to their spouses and sweethearts. Then on to China which seems to supply a limitless supply of cultured freshwater pearls. Rural China literally has tons of freshwater pearls produced each year and less than half are exported.
On to Hong Kong where dealers and traders come to invitation-only auctions sponsored regularly by some of the pearl-producing companies. He notes that the really high-grade pearls and the unique items rarely go to auction - it's all private deals which will in turn be sold to jewelers to make into the spectacular pieces for the showroom cases or grace the bodies of celebrities in order to lure a buyer.
The Philippines where natural golden as well as the black pearls were discovered. French Polynesia and then to Broome, in northwestern Australia, where some of the largest pearls are grown. Mr. Bloom actually worked as a deckhand on an Australian lugger for a few days and as interesting as the adventure was, his attempts at getting the accented conversations of his fellow crew-members brought the book to a screeching halt as I tried to determine what they were saying. Not sure if it was the due to the actually way the people talked or the way Bloom wrote it. May simply be due to my being American and unfamiliar with the distinctive patterns of speech.
And lastly, to the first place pearls were found in the New World - the island of Cubague off the coast of Venezuela. During 1509 through 1536, the Spanish extracted estimates of at least 113 million pearls or more than 12 tons of those little orbs. Based on actually records, during one month, 12,000 ounces (750 pounds or 340 kilos) of pearls. Of course, pirates and other countries wanted in on the action, the city and island was plundered, destroyed and abandoned but at one time, the amount of pearls processed were 10 times as much as all the other goods exported by the Spanish - that includes gold and silver.
Today, if you want to go to the island - the settlement is in ruins - you have to convince a boat captain to take you. There is no direct route and it may take a hour, it may take two depending on how direct the path is. Once there, you may find a fisherman or two but few people live there even temporarily. Diving was pearls isn't done anymore. Dredging for oysters in order to sell the meat is done by a few. A small pearl may be found but it's unlikely. The massively productive beds of 4 centuries ago are gone.
Like too many commodities, human have decimated environment and the producers in their appetite for pretty things. But as I said earlier, pearl production today has to be one of the most environmentally courteous industries - at least from the growers position. Oysters and mussels want relatively undamaged environments to produce. And some growers treat the oysters far better than their employees.
Overall, interesting about the history as well as the different locations and he does go into how to care for your pearls as well as how to tell the real ones from fake painted glass or plastic beads. And he does remember to bring his wife some rather glorious strands of pearls from various locations since he was gone on and off for three years.
2020-181
March 7, 2014
Tears of mermaids: The secret story of pearls written by Stephan G. bloom is a nonfiction story the author tells about his fascination with pearls. I've always known that pearls were beautiful, but Bloom creates a story exquisitely describing the pure beauty and elegance a pearl creates. Throughout the story the author himself visits different places of the world to explore different pearl farming industries while immersing himself into his studies and experiencing different cultural behavior and beliefs.
The author first begins the story describing about how his fascination with pearls first started, about how they captured his interest and attention from then on he spends his life researching the production of both genuine real and fake pearls. This book is considered a marine biology non-fiction. I would recommend this book if you have an interest in biology. This book isn't really a thriller and was pretty dull at most parts but it was very well written with the intention of informing the population about the world's most precious gem. It would probably take a good week to finish. Happy reading!
The author first begins the story describing about how his fascination with pearls first started, about how they captured his interest and attention from then on he spends his life researching the production of both genuine real and fake pearls. This book is considered a marine biology non-fiction. I would recommend this book if you have an interest in biology. This book isn't really a thriller and was pretty dull at most parts but it was very well written with the intention of informing the population about the world's most precious gem. It would probably take a good week to finish. Happy reading!
June 17, 2022
I had been hoping for more about the pearls themselves. Maybe a bit of biology or natural history. Also would have liked a bit more folklore, peoples beliefs about pearls. Maybe even some crime stories or cursed jewels. Instead the majority of the book was a sort of introduction to pearl finance, here are the big players in the world of pearls and how they got there. Enjoyed the section on Columbus and a little of the time spent with the pearl crew.
January 17, 2011
Pretty good book with lots of interesting material about pearls but annoyed when author kept mentioning how he really wanted to get to know the first-line producers of pearls and see what their lives were like, yet only spent two chapters doing so. Most of the book is about how much money pearls bring to the dealers and company heads.
January 23, 2020
This was a really well thought out journey of how a pearl starts to the finish of being handed to a consumer. I thought it would get dry, but Bloom has a way of creating excitement throughout that leaves you wanting to finish. Very educational!
July 1, 2022
Not too bad but not really relevant.
February 26, 2017
This is a book that examines the various paths that pearls take from cultivation to sale. It mostly focuses on the present although there is some information presented about historical trade.
April 22, 2020
It's interesting. Certainly an industry I've never had any interest in or knew anything about.
I'd love to know where he gets his travel budget! But learned a lot and he has a nice chatty reading style.
I'd love to know where he gets his travel budget! But learned a lot and he has a nice chatty reading style.
December 10, 2009
A fascinating tale of how pearls get from their shells into the settings that find some auctioned off for millions. Bloom may have set out to highlight the contradiction between the poverty of the workers closest to the source and the wealth of the ultimate consumers, but the story becomes much richer (pardon the expression) as he travels the world and meets the colorful characters who make up the pearl industry.
August 12, 2015
I didn't know what to expect when I picked up Tears of Mermaids. Pearls are my favorite "stone", and I was interested in what could be said about them.
This book is full of information, without being unreadably dense or technical. Its really more the story of the industry of pearls, rather than the stones themselves, but it surprised me with an emotional chapter about the almost spiritual connection that people have with these beautiful adornments.
Informative and interesting. I enjoyed it.
This book is full of information, without being unreadably dense or technical. Its really more the story of the industry of pearls, rather than the stones themselves, but it surprised me with an emotional chapter about the almost spiritual connection that people have with these beautiful adornments.
Informative and interesting. I enjoyed it.
June 15, 2014
While the insight into the pearl industry was interesting, I was most fascinated with the history of pearls during the golden age of exploration, so I'd have much preferred more in that. plus the author repeatedly talked about pearls hanging in women's cleavage, which I found really creepy as well as deterrent to the particular moment of the narrative.
October 8, 2010
Tried to read this, but there was just too much information on the pearls, and the people who collected and sold them, I would have liked to just read about the pearls, but the author had to add the local interest.
April 26, 2012
Who knew that Pearls could be so interesting? I really enjoyed this jaunt through the world of gemologists, and specifically the world of pearl growers, sellers and buyers. This is a fun book with lots of history tucked throughout.
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July 24, 2011Would have been a better read without all of the grammatical errors. That really makes or breaks a book for me.
July 17, 2012
I got a degree in jewelry/metals so when I found this book I had to read it. I found it fascinating. My love and admiration for pearls grew stronger through this book.
May 31, 2011
Interesting topic but a dry read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews