Nice idea!Just some suggestions (inho).You could place the pearl inside the shell (that way it would look more natural).The top of the shell is a little bit BOH (blow out highlights,its when the light is too hard so you loose detail)you should use a softer light source or try to diffuse your light source with a piece of sheet or something.Once again nice idea,out of the box thinking!

Very nice piece of hardened mucus! I agree with karaflazz about the BOH. You might also consider placing the shell on sand, or some more "natural" setting. Nice attempt though - nice thinking. GL

Thanks Karaflazz & Kyricom. I tried just about everything to make this image work! I did diffuse the light and then the pearl lost it's luster, I tried it various ways inside the shell. With it open and the pearl just placed on the shell, but the inside of the shell is so shiny (mother of pearl) that the camera couldn't focus and Everything came out blurry. With it closed and the pearl placed inside... but then the pearl looked fake in the shadows! I must have done over 100 takes (cuz I REALLY wanted to get this- obsessive LOL!) and this was the best one. I'll keep trying

I take your word for that author.It's nice too see that people actually set up photos for each contest (not just searching their hard drive to find something that "fits' each contest)!Great effort....

There's something you could try for the focusing inside. Set everything up, take something else to the location where you want to focus so that the camera can find a focusing point. Have it focus and take the focusing help away and shoot away. This way you should be able to focus despite the camera not being able to focus on its own. You might need few try to get the focusing point to the right place, but I'm pretty sure it's going to be worth the trouble.

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't have time to get a better take for this challenge so this photo will have to stand on it's own merits, but I will be experimenting with gem photography more. This has be very enjoyable for me!

i like it, well done

It seems just a little hair blown out on the top of the oyster shell but still a good focus, position and theme match. GL!

And even the third place!

Congrats on your 3rd, well done.