NOVA Season 7 Episode 3 The Perfect Pearl

The show NOVA's seventh season's third episode is called "The Perfect Pearl." This episode aims to explore the history, science, and beauty of pearls, which are one of the most desirable and valuable jewels in the world.

The show starts by highlighting the incredible beauty of pearls and how they have been captured in art and literature throughout history. Next, the host dives into the scientific exploration of pearls, explaining the chemical composition and the biological processes behind their formation.

The audience is taken on an exciting journey through the history of pearl trading, from the ancient fishing methods used by The Polynesians to the establishment of the pearl industry by Japanese pearl farmer Kokichi Mikimoto in 1893. Through factual interviews and CGI animation, viewers are introduced to the methods used in farming pearls, including the careful selection of oysters, the insertion of the bead nucleus, and the growth process itself.

The show then relates the devastating environmental impact pearl farming has had on out coasts and coral reefs, such as the Great Barrier Reef. The episode interrogates if industrial pearl farming is sustainable and raises questions about how jewelry consumption can impact our oceans, and what can be done to reverse the damage already done.

The episode then shares the heartwarming story of a pearl farmer named Josh Humbert, who farms pearls in an environmentally conscious manner in the Sea of Cortez. The audience is taken on an expedition to witness his unique farming practices, including the use of free-swimming oysters. We see and learn how Humbert's approach not only produces high-quality pearls but also helps the natural environment flourish.

After sharing this story, the episode reflects on the art of pearl cultivation and how different factors such as water quality and food supply can contribute to the growth of high-quality pearls, we learn about different types of pearls, including the South Sea Pearls, Akoya Pearls, Tahitian Pearls, and many others.

The episode also acknowledges that the vast majority of pearls are cultured, but it notes that the value of natural pearls is higher due to their rarity. Subsequently, the viewers hear about the painstaking process of hunting and finding natural pearls, such as the case of a rare black pearl that was discovered in 1939 in the Indonesian sea by a Dutchman.

Finally, the episode concludes by discussing the human desire to adorn themselves with jewels such as pearls and how this has led to an obsession with perfection, which in turn has led to environmentally harmful practices. A reminder is given that we can still appreciate the beauty of pearls, but do so in ethical and environmentally conscious ways.

"To summarize: NOVA season 7 episode 3, called "The Perfect Pearl," takes the audience through a deep-dive exploration of the history, science and allure of pearls.  It looks at the processes and methods that go into the production of different types of pearls, and also explores the environmental impact of pearl farming. However, the message of the show is clear: as consumers, we have a responsibility to choose ethically and environmentally sustainable products."