Area Attraction Owner Visits Mexico Pearl Farm


oysters_net Since 1996, the only commercial cultured saltwater pearl farm on the continent has been located in Mexico's Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California, the balmy body of water separating mainland Mexico from the narrow Baja peninsula.

The company behind the Mexican venture is Perlas del Mar de Cortez, a Guaymas-based outfit funded by Tec de Monterrey, a private university in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon.

bob_john Local owner of the Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Farm, Bob Keast, took the opportunity to visit Perlas Del Mar De Cortez, July 13-17. The uniqueness of his own pearl-culturing operation brought this also-unique destination to his attention. (PHOTO: MEXICO PEARLING OPERATIONS - Bob Keast, owner of Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Farm, Camden, and Tennessee River mussel diver John Nerren, visit Perlas Del Mar De Cortez in Guaymas, Mexico to compare pearl farming methods.



shell_mabe Keast's Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Farm was established in 1979 and is the only freshwater pearl-culturing farm in North America. Founded by John R. Latendresse (1925-2000), this Camden, Tennessee operation finally began to blossom after over 25 years of adapting Japanese techniques to the local waters and available mussel species.

Primarily using the Mississippi Basin Area native mussel species - the Pigtoe and the Washboard, the Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Farm produces mainly a white product noted for its thick, high-luster nacre - the natural iridescent coating that gives pearls their beauty and value.

farm_overlook Keast commented, "I was intrigued by their operations. Even though we are producing pearls in freshwater and theirs are in a salt-water environment, several techniques are the same... yet many differ." As one of Tennessee's Official Ambassadors, Bob took advantage of the occasion to talk tourism and explore their pearl tour promotions. Actually participating in the tour was "enlightening from this side of the fence," Keast said. "I'm always looking to learn, it makes me more knowledgeable as a tour guide to our tourists." (PHOTO: OVERLOOKING THE PEARL FARM - Perlas Del Mar De Cortez in Guaymas, Mexico, uses the Pteria sterna, the rainbow-lipped oyster. The mollusk species' suggestive nickname spells out its pearls' biggest selling point: their opalescent color scheme, which features unusual base colors like amber, gray and purple and stunning overtones of green, blue, violet and purple.)

The Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Farm offers a mini-theatre, museum and jewelry showroom that is open free of charge, seven days a week, Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. A video presentation is available to visitors along with a short film clip. The attraction site is open all year around except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Days. Keast says, "Our knowledgeable staff is readily available to answer a variety of pearl-related questions."

"A Pearl of A Tour" runs April through November. The guided tour takes the participating tourist on a 3-5 hour journey learning all about the history, techniques, biology, and local impact of freshwater pearl culturing. The visit to the pearl farm seeing a mussel "shucked" to produce one of the cultured gems, meeting one of the local divers, and the catered southern bar-be-que feast are just few highlights of the day-long adventure. Guided tours range in price from $29.50 - $49.50 and require groups of 15 or more. Single tourists may add on to existing established tour dates. To check available tour dates or to book your group, visit the schedule of events at www.BirdsongResort.com. For more information about freshwater pearls and "A Pearl of a Tour", visit their website at www.TennesseeRiverPearls.com or call 731-584-7880 or 800-225-7469.