SSEF – ETH Zurich breakthrough: DNA fingerprinting and age dating of pearls

For the first time, a group of SSEF – ETH Zurich researchers has succeeded in isolating DNA from pearls and used their genetic material to identify the specific species of oyster that produced the pearl. In a parallel project, researchers used radiocarbon dating to analyze the age of pearls, opening up new avenues for determining the origin and age of pearl jewellery.