Middle Tennessee Chapter: Sustainable Natural Pearls with Gina Latendresse
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
6:30 p.m.
Arrington, TN
Latendresse’s pearl experience began at the young age of 8 as graded pearls according to size, shape and color for her family’s business, the American Pearl Company. She also traveled with her parents to numerous trade shows. Latendresse’s father, the late John R. Latendresse, is widely recognized as one of the world’s foremost authorities on pearls, natural and cultured and is known worldwide as the “Father of the American Cultured Pearl” and as the “Pearl Picasso,” because of the uniquely shaped cultured pearls his Tennessee farming operations produced.
Latendresse graduated from Rhodes College with a BA in industrial psychology and continued her education at GIA in Santa Monica, California. Her Graduate Jeweler Gemologist diploma enhanced her career in the jewelry industry through networking and sharing of knowledge and her extensive exposure to pearls provided her with the background and inspiration to join her family in the world of pearls.
Latendresse’s expertise over the last 43 years covers pearl farming, mussel exporting and cultured pearls from around the world, including extensive knowledge of domestic natural pearls of North America and exotic naturals pearls from all corners of the globe. She was appointed president of American Pearl Company in 1991.
This event is co-hosted with the Nashville AGS Guild.
