WHAT IS AN "OTOLITH"
The otoliths are "Earbones" in a fish, located
behind the eyes, composed of calcium carbonate.
They let the fish know how to swim level and
change course. Otoliths help the fish to be
sensitive to gravity and linear acceleration.
The shape and size of the otoliths vary greatly in
different species.
Reef fish or rocky bottom fish have larger otoliths
than fish swimming at high speed in straight lines in
the open ocean.
The structure of the otolith size varies with the
growth of the fish, it resembles the rings on a tree.
The fishermen refer to them as halibut or rockfish
"IVORIES"
When these are used in jewelry making, they are to
be treated like fine pearls.
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