Magnetic cultured pearls, articles of manufacture made therefrom, and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

A magnetic cultured pearl comprises a magnetic core member around which pearl nacre material has been permitted to develop as a result of implantation of the magnetic core member within a host organism. The magnetic cultured pearls can be used to manufacture pearl necklaces or pearl bracelets without the need to string the cultured pearls upon conventional strings. A method of manufacturing the magnetic cultured pearls is also disclosed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to cultured pearls, and more particularly to new and improved magnetic cultured pearls, articles of manufacture made therefrom, and a method of manufacturing the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is known, the pearl is the only gemstone that is manufactured as a result of being grown inside a living organism. In accordance with the natural process by means of which pearls are developed, pearls are formed, for example, within oysters, when a foreign object or entity, such as, for example, a parasite, invades the shell of the oyster, enters the soft mantle tissue, and picks up or gathers epithelial cells. This is an irritating process to the oyster, and in response to this irritation, the epithelial cells are formed into a sac, accordingly known as a pearl sac, which effectively encloses the foreign object or entity irritant, and subsequently, the pearl sac, in turn, secretes a crystalline substance, known as nacre, which is built up in layers around the pearl sac. These layers ultimately form the pearl which is subsequently harvested. Cultured pearls are similar to naturally occurring pearls in that the overall fabrication process is substantially or basically the same, however, in lieu of the development or growth of the pearl as a result of the natural introduction of an irritant, in the form of the aforenoted parasitic invasion, into the interior region of the oyster, the development, growth, manufacture, or cultivation of cultured pearls is intentionally initiated, for example, as a result of the introduction or implantation of a nucleus, in the form of a small spherical bead, or the like, made from the shell of a mollusk, into an oyster that has been removed from its watery habitat, the spherical bead nucleus therefore serving as the irritant. The oyster is then returned to the water, and after a predetermined period of time during which the oyster has covered the spherical bead nucleus with a sufficient amount of the nacre so as to form the pearl, the oyster is once again removed so as to effectively harvest the formed pearl therefrom. Cultured pearls have effectively entirely replaced naturally occurring pearls as the source of pearls for worldwide sales.

While cultured pearls have been fabricated for more than one hundred years by means of the foregoing, or a similar, process, problems do exist in, or plague, the cultured pearl industry, and in a similar manner, problems also plague or confound consumers who often buy pearls in the form of pearl necklaces, bracelets, and the like. More particularly, for example, when the cultured pearls are to be utilized in connection with the manufacture of, for example, pearl necklaces, bracelets, and the like, it is necessary to drill diametrically oriented holes through the pearls, and the original nuclei disposed within the cultured pearls, in order to enable a string to be inserted through the pearls so as to effectively enable the pearls to be strung together, however, such a drilling process is extremely delicate and must be performed with great care due to the fragile nature of the crystalline structure comprising the pearl nacre. Oftentimes, such a drilling process causes the pearls to in fact be fractured whereby not only is the supply of available pearls impacted, but obviously, the loss of such pearls is extremely costly for the manufacturers.

Another problem or drawback characteristic of pearl jewelry resides in the fact that once the pearls are in fact strung so as to form, for example, a pearl necklace or pearl bracelet, there is always the risk that, as a result of the necklace or bracelet being handled or worn, the string itself can break. As has been experienced, such a breakage in the string, upon which the plurality of pearls are strung, often results in the plurality of pearls falling to the floor and scattering in all directions. Furthermore, and also in connection with the fabrication of a pearl necklace or pearl bracelet, there is the need for fixedly mounting a clasp upon the string of pearls so as to enable the pearl necklace or pearl bracelet to be worn or removed. Lastly, it is also to be realized that once a string of pearls is fabricated, whether it be in connection with the manufacture of a pearl necklace or a pearl bracelet, the arrangement of the pearls upon the string of pearls is effectively static in that the pearls obviously cannot be rearranged with respect to each other. It is also known that pearls not only vary in color, shape, and size, but also in orient, which is the iridescence caused by the refraction of light by the layers of nacre, as well as luster which is the reflectivity and shine of the surface. Accordingly, particular arrangements of the pearls may be desired, however, again, once the pearls are actually strung upon their string, they cannot be rearranged as may be desired.

Accordingly, a need exists in the art for a new and improved cultured pearl, and a method of manufacturing the same, wherein, when the new and improved cultured pearls are adapted to be utilized in connection with the manufacture of, for example, jewelry items, such as, for example, pearl necklaces and bracelets, the need for drilling diametrical holes through the cultured pearls in order to enable the pearls to be secured together, so as to form, for example, the pearl necklace or pearl bracelet, will be obviated and rendered unnecessary. In addition, a need exists in the art for a new and improved cultured pearl wherein, when the new and improved cultured pearls are adapted to be utilized in connection with the manufacture of, for example, jewelry items, such as, for example, pearl necklaces and bracelets, the pearls will be able to be secured together without the necessity of mounting the pearls upon a string which is subject to breakage. Still further, a need exists in the art for a new and improved cultured pearl wherein, when the new and improved cultured pearls are adapted to be utilized in connection with the manufacture of, for example, jewelry items, such as, for example, pearl necklaces and bracelets, there will also be no need to incorporate a clasp mechanism upon the pearl necklace or pearl bracelet in order to facilitate the donning of the necklace or bracelet, or the removal of the same. Lastly, a need exists in the art for a new and improved cultured pearl wherein, when the new and improved cultured pearls are adapted to be utilized in connection with the manufacture of, for example, jewelry items, such as, for example, pearl necklaces and bracelets, the various different pearls within the pearl necklace or bracelet may be rearranged as may be desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing and other objectives are achieved in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present invention through the provision of a new and improved magnetic cultured pearl which comprises a magnetic core or nucleus which is adapted to be implanted within the host organism, such as, for example, an oyster or other mollusk. The oyster or other mollusk will then form the pearl around the magnetic core or nucleus in the normal fashion. Subsequently, the pearls are removed from the oysters or other mollusks, and as a result of the presence of the magnetic core or nucleus disposed internally within the pearls, the pearls will be magnetically attracted to each other and will be able to effectively form single or multiple strings of pearls which may be utilized in connection with the formation or manufacture of pearl necklaces or pearl bracelets. The magnetic core or nucleus can either be magnetized before implantation within the oyster or mollusk, or alternatively, the completed harvested pearl may be subjected, for example, to a suitable electro-magnetic field, after the same has been removed from the oyster or mollusk, so as to effectively magnetize the magnetic core or nucleus component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic front elevational view, partly in cross section, of a magnetic cultured pearl constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic, side elevational view of a single strand of pearls which may comprise, for example, a pearl necklace or a pearl bracelet, wherein each one of the plurality of pearls, incorporated within the strand of pearls, comprises a magnetic cultured pearl as schematically illustrated within FIG. 1 whereby each one of the plurality of pearls is magnetically connected to an adjacent one of the plurality of pearls such that the plurality of magnetic cultured pearls need not be connected to each other by means of a conventional string;

FIG. 3 is a schematic, side elevational view of a first embodiment of a dual strand of pearls which may comprise, for example, a pearl necklace or a pearl bracelet, wherein each one of the plurality of pearls, incorporated within the dual strand of pearls, comprises a magnetic cultured pearl as schematically illustrated within FIG. 1 whereby each one of the plurality of pearls is magnetically connected to an adjacent one of the plurality of pearls such that the plurality of magnetic cultured pearls need not be connected to each other by means of a conventional string, and wherein, in addition, the vertical layers of the dual strand of pearls are disposed within a first predetermined array with respect to each other;

FIG. 4 is a schematic, side elevational view of a second embodiment of a dual strand of pearls which may comprise, for example, a pearl necklace or a pearl bracelet, wherein each one of the plurality of pearls, incorporated within the dual strand of pearls, comprises a magnetic cultured pearl as schematically illustrated within FIG. 1 whereby each one of the plurality of pearls is magnetically connected to an adjacent one of the plurality of pearls such that the plurality of magnetic cultured pearls need not be connected to each other by means of a conventional string, and wherein, in addition, the vertical layers of the dual strand of pearls are disposed within a second predetermined array with respect to each other;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a first embodiment method of manufacturing the magnetic cultured pearl as schematically illustrated within FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a second embodiment method of manufacturing the magnetic cultured pearl as schematically illustrated within FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, a new and improved magnetic cultured pearl, constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the manufacturing method or process of the present invention, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character 10. More particularly, as can readily be appreciated from FIG. 1, the new and improved magnetic cultured pearl 10 comprises a magnetic core member or nucleus component 12 around which the pearl nacre material 14 is subsequently formed by means of the oyster or other mollusk once the magnetic core member or nucleus 12 has been implanted within the oyster or mollusk. The magnetic core member or nucleus 12 is fabricated from a suitable magnetic material, such as, for example, a suitable neodymium-iron-boron composition, and it is noted that the magnetic core member or nucleus 12 is preferably coated or plated with an inert metal layer comprising, for example, gold, silver, platinum, iridium, or the like, so as not to adversely affect the host oyster or mollusk from a biological perspective. It is also noted that while the magnetic core member or nucleus 12 may simply comprise, in effect, a sphere or spherical bead, other geometrical configurations, such as, for example, any polyhedron or similar three-dimensional or solid geometrical structure, for the magnetic core member or nucleus 12 are possible. In this manner, the finalized or completed magnetic cultured pearl 10 will have a predeterminedly defined geometrical configuration.

In connection with the actual process for fabricating the magnetic cultured pearl, reference is now made to the flow chart of FIG. 5 which schematically illustrates a first embodiment method or process for manufacturing the magnetic cultured pearl. As can be appreciated from FIG. 5, the magnetic core member or nucleus 12 is initially formed, as at 16, from the suitable magnetic material, and so as to have a predeterminedly desired geometrical configuration, and if also desired, as has been alluded to hereinbefore, the magnetic core member or nucleus 12 can be coated or plated with a suitable inert metal layer. The core member or nucleus 12 is then implanted into the host organism, as at 18, whereby the same is permitted to remain within the host organism for a predetermined period time during which the host organism will secrete and form a sufficient amount of pearl nacre material 14 around the implanted core member or nucleus 12, as at 20, so as to effectively form a completed cultured pearl. The completed cultured pearl is then removed from the host organism, as at 22, and is subsequently subjected, for example, to an electro-magnetic field, as at 24, in order to magnetize the core member or nucleus 12 and thereby form the completed or finalized magnetic cultured pearl 10. Alternatively, a second embodiment method or process for fabricating the magnetic cultured pearl is illustrated within the flow chart of FIG. 6 wherein it is readily appreciated that the method or process steps of the second embodiment method or process correspond substantially to the method or process steps of the first embodiment method or process, except as will be noted hereinafter, and therefore, the method or process steps of the second method or process will be designated by corresponding reference characters except that they will be within the 100 series. More particularly, it is seen that the only significant difference between the two embodiment methods or processes resides in the fact that in accordance with the second embodiment method or process, the core member or nucleus is subjected to the electro-magnetic field, as at 117, such that the core member or nucleus 12 is already magnetized prior to the implanting of the core member or nucleus 12 within the hose organism as at 118 whereupon removal of the completed cultured pearl from the host organism, the completed magnetic cultured pearl 10 is already formed.

Continuing further, and with reference reverting back to FIG. 1, as a result of the fabrication of the completed magnetic cultured pearl 10 in accordance with either one of the methods or processes described hereinbefore and as schematically illustrated within FIGS. 5 and 6, diametrically opposite ends of the completed magnetic cultured pearl 10 define opposite magnetic poles N and S. In this manner, with additional reference being made to FIG. 2, when a plurality of the magnetic cultured pearls 10 are disposed adjacent to each other, they can be magnetically connected together in a universally articulated manner along point-to-point contact loci as defined by means of the oppositely disposed magnetic poles. Accordingly, it can be readily appreciated still further that, in particular, the plurality of magnetic cultured pearls 10 can be utilized to form, for example, a single strand or linear array of pearls, generally indicated by the reference character 110 as disclosed within FIG. 2, which may comprise, for example, a pearl necklace, a pearl bracelet, or the like.

In connection with, for example, such a pearl necklace or pearl bracelet 110, it can also be appreciated that, as a result of the magnetic connections established between adjacent pairs of the magnetic cultured pearls 10,10, the need for effectively mounting or stringing the individual cultured pearls 10 upon a string is obviated and rendered unnecessary. Accordingly, not only do the magnetic cultured pearls 10 not need to be drilled or machined in order to accommodate a string upon which the cultured pearls would normally need to be strung, but in addition, since the magnetic cultured pearls 10 do not need to undergo such drilling or machining operations, they will not be exposed to potential fracturing which often occurs attendant such drilling or machining operations. Still yet further, since the magnetic cultured pearls 10 are magnetically connected together without the need for being strung upon a conventional string, there is no danger of the string breaking whereby, for example, the individual cultured pearls would normally fall onto the floor and scatter in multiple directions. To the contrary, if, for example, the pearl necklace or pearl bracelet 110 were to accidentally fall and drop onto the floor, such as, for example, if the pearl necklace or bracelet 110 accidentally slipped out of the owner's or user's hands while being donned upon the user's neck region or wrist region, or while being removed from the user's neck region or wrist region, two scenarios are possible. The first, best-case scenario would result in no adverse effects upon the pearl necklace or pearl bracelet 110, that is, the entire pearl necklace or pearl bracelet 110 would remain entirely intact due to the strong magnetic bonds defined between adjacent pairs of the magnetic cultured pearls 10,10. The second, worst-case scenario would result in the endless loop pearl necklace or bracelet 110 separating at one or more locations into one or more sections, however, it is highly unlikely that individual ones of the magnetic cultured pearls 10 would become separated from the overall pearl necklace or bracelet 110 due, again, to the strong magnetic bonds defined between adjacent pairs of the magnetic cultured pearls 10,10.

Still yet further, it can also be appreciated that as a result of the magnetic bonds defined between each adjacent pair of the magnetic cultured pearls 10,10 disposed within the pearl necklace or bracelet 110, any one of the pairs of magnetic cultured pearls 10,10 can intentionally be easily separated from each other so as to facilitate the donning of the pearl necklace or pearl bracelet 110 onto a user's neck region or wrist region, respectively, or alternatively, to permit the pearl necklace or pearl bracelet 110 to be removed from the user's neck region or wrist region. Accordingly, the need for incorporating a separate clasp mechanism into the magnetic cultured pearl necklace or bracelet 110 is obviated or rendered unnecessary. In addition, in conjunction with the aforenoted easy separability between any one of the adjacent pairs of the magnetic cultured pearls 10, 10, or for that matter, the easy separability of individual ones of the magnetic cultured pearls 10 from the overall pearl necklace or bracelet 110, this functionality characteristic of the individual ones of the magnetic cultured pearls 10 with respect to the overall pearl necklace or bracelet 110 permits a user to readily interchange or exchange individual ones of the magnetic cultured pearls 10 for other individual ones of the magnetic cultured pearls 10 at any particular location along the strand of magnetic cultured pearls defining the pearl necklace or pearl bracelet 110. This permits users to, for example, effectively design their own pearl necklaces or bracelets in that differently colored or differently sized ones of the magnetic cultured pearls 10 can be placed at any location along the strand of pearls comprising the pearl necklace or pearl bracelet 110. As is known in the industry, pearls do vary in color and size depending upon the particular mollusk from which the pearls are harvested, and depending upon the geographical location that the particular mollusks inhabit. For example, a large portion of the worldwide cultured pearls are produced in Japan, however, relatively larger South Sea cultured pearls are produced within the warmer waters of the South Pacific, and Tahitian black cultured pearls are produced within the waters surrounding Tahiti.

With reference lastly being made to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is disclosed dual strands of pearls which may likewise respectively comprise, for example, a pearl necklace or a pearl bracelet 210,310, wherein each one of the plurality of pearls 10, incorporated within individual strands of pearls 110,110 similar to the single strand of pearls 110 as disclosed within FIG. 2 and comprising the dual strands of pearls 210,310, comprises a magnetic cultured pearl 10, as schematically illustrated within FIG. 1. It can therefore be appreciated that each one of the plurality of magnetic cultured pearls 10, disposed in either one of the individual strands of pearls 110,110 is not only magnetically connected to an adjacent one of the plurality of magnetic cultured pearls 10 disposed within its horizontally oriented strand of pearls 110, but in addition, as a result of the plurality of individual strands of pearls 110,110 being vertically stacked with respect to each other, the individual ones of the magnetic cultured pearls 10, disposed within either one of the vertically stacked strands of pearls 110, will also, in effect, be magnetically connected to adjacent ones of magnetic cultured pearls 10 disposed within the other one of the vertically stacked strands of pearls 110. In this manner, the vertically stacked strands of pearls 110,110 will be magnetically connected together as a result of the interacting magnetic fields generated by and between the individual ones of the plurality of magnetic cultured pearls 10 disposed within the vertically stacked strands of pearls 110,110.

As can readily be appreciated from reference being made to FIGS. 3 and 4, the only significant difference between the two arrays of the magnetic cultured pearls 110,110, as illustrated within the multi-strand pearl necklaces or pearl bracelets 210,310 of FIGS. 3 and 4, resides in the relative directional orientation of the individual magnetic cultured pearls 10 disposed within each one of the vertically stacked single strands 110,110 of magnetic cultured pearls 10. More particularly, as can be appreciated from FIG. 3, it is seen that all of the magnetic cultured pearls 10 disposed within the upper strand of pearls 110 have their north poles N facing or disposed toward the left as viewed in the drawing, while all of the magnetic cultured pearls 10 disposed within the lower strand of pearls 110 have their north poles N facing or disposed toward the right as viewed in the drawing. Accordingly, when the upper and lower strands of pearls 110,110 are vertically stacked with respect to each other, the individual magnetic cultured pearls 10 disposed within one of the upper or lower strands of pearls 110,110 will in fact be vertically aligned with respect to the individual magnetic cultured pearls 10 disposed within the other one of the upper or lower strands of pearls 110,110. Therefore, it can be further appreciated that not only will any one of the individual magnetic cultured pearls 10, disposed within one of the upper or lower strands of pearls 110,110, be disposed in point-to-point contact with adjacent ones of the magnetic cultured pearls 10 disposed within the same upper or lower strand of pearls 110,110, but in addition, the particular one of the magnetic cultured pearls 10 disposed within one of the upper or lower strands of pearls 110,110 will also be disposed in point-to-point contact with the one of the magnetic cultured pearl 10 which is disposed directly above or below such magnetic cultured pearl 10.

To the contrary, as can be appreciated from FIG. 4, it is seen that all of the magnetic cultured pearls 10 disposed within the upper strand of pearls 110 have their north poles N facing or disposed toward the right as viewed in the drawing, while all of the magnetic cultured pearls 10 disposed within the lower strand of pearls 110 have their north poles N likewise facing or disposed toward the right as viewed in the drawing. Accordingly, when the upper and lower strands of pearls 110,110 are vertically stacked with respect to each other, the individual magnetic cultured pearls 10 disposed within one of the upper or lower strands of pearls 110,110 will in fact be vertically offset with respect to the individual magnetic cultured pearls 10 disposed within the other one of the upper or lower strands of pearls 110,110 such that, for example, the individual magnetic cultured pearls 10 disposed within the upper strand of pearls 110 will in effect be disposed within the spaces or interstices 312 defined between adjacent ones of the individual magnetic cultured pearls 10 disposed within the lower strand of pearls 110, and vice versa, that is, the individual magnetic cultured pearls 10 disposed within the lower strand of pearls 110 will in effect be disposed within the spaces, intersections, or interstices 312 defined between adjacent ones of the individual magnetic cultured pearls 10 disposed within the upper strand of pearls 110. It is lastly noted that while a pair of strands 110,110 of the magnetic cultured pearls 10 has been illustrated with-in FIGS. 3 and 4 so as to respectively form the pearl necklaces or pearl bracelets 210,310, it can be further appreciated and understood that additional strands of pearls 110 can be magnetically connected together such that the resulting pearl necklaces or pearl bracelets will comprise several strands of pearls 110,110, that is, more than two, as may be desired.

Thus, it may be seen that in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, magnetic cultured pearls have been disclosed by means of which pearl necklaces, bracelets, or the like, can be fabricated in a simple manner without the need for stringing the cultured pearls upon conventional strings. Drilling or machining operations of the cultured pearls are therefore obviated and rendered unnecessary, there are no strings to subsequently break and cause dispersal and possible loss of the pearls, the pearl necklaces or bracelets can be easily donned or removed from a wearer's neck or wrist region, and the individual magnetic cultured pearls can be interchanged or exchanged as may be desired for alternative design purposes.

Obviously, many variations and modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. A magnetic cultured pearl, comprising:

a magnetic core member; and

cultured pearl material, comprising pearl nacre, disposed around said magnetic core member.

2. The magnetic cultured pearl as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said magnetic core member is fabricated from a neodymium-iron-boron composition.

3. The magnetic cultured pearl as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said magnetic core member has a predetermined solid geometrical configuration around which said cultured pearl material is disposed so as to provide said magnetic cultured pearl with a predeterminedly finalized solid geometrical configuration.

4. The magnetic cultured pearl as set forth in claim 3, wherein:

said magnetic core member has a substantially spherical configuration.

5. The magnetic cultured pearl as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said magnetic core member is plated with an inert metal.

6. The magnetic cultured pearl as set forth in claim 5, wherein:

said inert metal is selected from the group comprising gold, silver, platinum, and iridium.

7. A cultured pearl jewelry item comprising a plurality of cultured pearls connected together, comprising:

a plurality of cultured pearls disposed within at least one linear array,

wherein each one of said plurality of cultured pearls comprises a magnetic cultured pearl comprising a magnetic core member, and cultured pearl material, comprising pearl nacre, disposed around said magnetic core member, such that when pairs of said magnetic cultured pearls are disposed adjacent to each other so as to form said at least one linear array, said adjacent pairs of said magnetic cultured pearls will be magnetically attracted and connected to each other so as to form said cultured pearl jewelry item.

8. The cultured pearl jewelry item as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

said cultured pearl jewelry item comprises a pearl necklace.

9. The cultured pearl jewelry item as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

said cultured pearl jewelry item comprises a pearl bracelet.

10. The cultured pearl jewelry item as set forth in claim 8, wherein:

said at least one linear array of cultured pearls comprising said pearl necklace comprises a single linear array of said cultured pearls defining a single strand of said cultured pearls.

11. The cultured pearl jewelry item as set forth in claim 8, wherein:

said at least one linear array of cultured pearls comprising said pearl necklace comprises multiple linear arrays of said cultured pearls defining multiple strands of said cultured pearls.

12. The cultured pearl jewelry item as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

said at least one linear array of cultured pearls comprising said pearl bracelet comprises a single linear array of said cultured pearls defining a single strand of said cultured pearls.

13. The cultured pearl jewelry item as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

said at least one linear array of cultured pearls comprising said pearl bracelet comprises multiple linear arrays of said cultured pearls defining multiple strands of said cultured pearls.

14. The cultured pearl jewelry item as set forth in claim 11, wherein:

all of said magnetic cultured pearls disposed within a first one of said multiple strands of said magnetic cultured pearls have their magnetic poles oriented toward a first direction; and

all of said magnetic cultured pearls disposed within a second one of said multiple strands of said magnetic cultured pearls have their magnetic poles oriented toward a second direction.

15. The cultured pearl jewelry item as set forth in claim 11, wherein:

all of said magnetic cultured pearls disposed within a first one of said multiple strands of said magnetic cultured pearls have their magnetic poles oriented toward a first direction; and

all of said magnetic cultured pearls disposed within a second one of said multiple strands of said magnetic cultured pearls also have their magnetic poles oriented toward said first direction.

16. The cultured pearl jewelry item as set forth in claim 13, wherein:

all of said magnetic cultured pearls disposed within a first one of said multiple strands of said magnetic cultured pearls have their magnetic poles oriented toward a first direction; and

all of said magnetic cultured pearls disposed within a second one of said multiple strands of said magnetic cultured pearls have their magnetic poles oriented toward a second direction.

17. The cultured pearl jewelry item as set forth in claim 13, wherein:

all of said magnetic cultured pearls disposed within a first one of said multiple strands of said magnetic cultured pearls have their magnetic poles oriented toward a first direction; and

all of said magnetic cultured pearls disposed within a second one of said multiple strands of said magnetic cultured pearls also have their magnetic poles oriented toward said first direction.

18. A method of making a magnetic cultured pearl, comprising the steps of:

implanting a core member, fabricated from a magnetic material, within a host organism;

permitting the host organism to form pearl nacre material around said magnetic core member so as to form a magnetic cultured pearl; and

removing said magnetic cultured pearl from the host organism.

19. The method as set forth in claim 18, further comprising the step of:

subjecting said magnetic core member to an electro-magnetic field prior to implanting said magnetic core member into the host organism so as to magnetize said magnetic core member prior to the formation of said pearl nacre material around said magnetic core member.

20. The method as set forth in claim 18, further comprising the step of:

subjecting said magnetic cultured pearl to an electro-magnetic field subsequent to the removal of said magnetic cultured pearl from the host organism so as to magnetize said magnetic core member thereby rendering said magnetic cultured pearl magnetically attractive to other magnetic cultured pearls.