Conch pearls are popular due to their pink hue and flame-like, porcelain appearance. Natural conch pearls are extremely rare, and the processes for making cultured pearls from bivalves such as oysters cannot be utilized in the same manner in gastropods. Thus, there is a need for a commercially and environmentally sound process for producing pearls in gastropods including the Queen Conch.

Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have developed a novel method of culturing pearls in conch and potentially other gastropods that is highly controlled, consistent and efficient. This method utilizes a relaxant that makes it possible to make an incision in the conch, which allows seeding with a bead or tissue nucleation to be easily conducted. After a period of time, a cultured pearl can be extracted. This method can generate multiple pearls from each conch, thus increasing the total number that can be harvested. It is also environmentally-friendly because the conch does not need to be sacrificed in order to extract the pearls.

FAU is seeking partners to advance this technology into the marketplace through licensing or development partnerships.