The NFC (Near Field Communications) empowered Momento Pearl™ from Galatea is the first cultured pearl to contain near field communication technology, allowing a user to create a tailored voice message that can be played when the pearl is tapped against a compatible mobile device. Taking smart jewelry to a completely new, emotional level, the patent-pending Momento Pearl (U.S. Patent No. 14/517.827 and Trademark 86/434,536) can also store a variety of digital content including images, messages and videos.
Galatea gives Momento jewelry its voice by implanting an NFC chip deep inside the pearl. The tiny computer runs without a battery by induction energy. When the Galatea app is downloaded, the user records a message or uploads an audio file. By tapping the pearl against an NFC-enabled mobile device, the audio is played and other digital material displayed. From words of love and encouragement to wedding vows and Biblical passages, the emotional connections the Momento Pearl can make are truly endless.
“This is where the future of jewelry begins,” says inventor and Galatea founder Chi Huynh. “A person can ‘live’ in this pearl forever, as it holds the voice and memories of a loved one.” Despite its high-tech interface, the real interest in the Momento Pearl lies in its ability to summon a voice, a memory and emotion, says Huynh, who plans on introducing more NFC-enabled jewelry to include gemstones and diamonds over the coming months.
The Cultured Pearl Revolutionary
Though Momento Pearl is unique, Huynh says it’s just a natural extension of Galatea’s revolutionary work with pearls and pearl culturing over the last 20 years. Known for its hand-carved cultured Tahitian and freshwater pearls (the Momento Pearl collection features only hand-carved pearls), Galatea also owns a number of patents for its unique pearl and gemstone jewelry. In 2005, the company introduced the Galatea Pearl™ (U.S. Patent 7,062,940 B2), a pearl that is cultured using a colored stone bead. After the pearl’s nacre is carved away, the color can be seen below its surface. It’s been called the most significant breakthrough in pearl culturing since Kokichi Mikimoto patented the process in the early part of the 20th century.
The complete collection of Momento Pearl jewelry includes 29 pendants, 26 earrings and 8 rings in 14k gold with Tahitian and freshwater pearls. Manufacturer Suggested Retails begin at $350. The Momento Pearl Collection will be available at Galatea authorized retail jewelers in January 2015, just in time for Valentine’s Day.
