





Pearl, along with alexandrite and moonstone, is the birthstone for June and the Zodiac sign Gemini. It is also a traditional wedding gift, and is given for the 3rd and 30th anniversary. They are a timeless classic, and are appropriate for all ages. Many families gift pearls to baby girls, starting with a few and add as they get older, completing a full strand for a 16th or 18th birthday.
History
Pearls have been treasured by many cultures for thousands of years. They are found naturally all over the world, and have been cultured since the 1800s. They have long been associated with purity, humility, innocence, loyalty, and faithfulness.
In the ancient Middle East, pearls were thought to be teardrops from heaven, the ancient Chinese believed they were from the brains of dragons, Christopher Columbus and his contemporaries thought that the mollusks formed pearls from dewdrops. Over time, pearls have been believed to have healing properties. The Sanskrit text Atharvaveda
states that they bestow long life and prosperity. In Asia, they were used to alleviate indigestion and hemorrhages. 19th century Arab doctors thought that pearl powder could improve eyesight, quiet nervous tremors, and ease depression.
One of the most famous pearls is La Peregrina
. It is a 50.56 carat, drop-shaped natural pearl the size of a pigeon's egg. Originally discovered in the Gulf of Panama in the 1500s, it was a treasure of European royalty for many years. Then, in 1969, Richard Burton gave it to Elizabeth Taylor. It was later set in a Cartier necklace of diamonds and rubies. When the necklace was auctioned in 2011 by Christie's New York, it sold for $11.8 million.
Geological
Pearls are organic, meaning they come from a living creature. There are several species of oysters and mussels that produce pearls. In nature, the irritant is typically a piece of sand or even a parasite that manages to get into the shell. The mollusk then coats the foreign material with layers of nacre. These natural pearls can be any shape, but are usually not perfectly round.
Cultured pearls are created through human intervention. The mollusks are raised in farms, either saltwater or freshwater. When mature, technicians place a "seed" of either mantle tissue from another mollusk or a tiny mother-of-pearl bead inside the shell of the host. After several years, the mollusks are carefully opened to remove the pearls. When done properly, the mollusks can be "recycled" to grow another batch of pearls.
There are different types of cultured pearls. Saltwater pearls are farmed all over the world. Akoya pearls come from Japan and China. South Sea pearls range from the northern coast of Australia, to Indonesia, to the southern coast of Southeast Asia and the Philippines. Tahitian pearls come from French Polynesia, including Tahiti of course. Almost all freshwater pearl farms are in China.
Pearls naturally come in many colors, depending on the species of mollusk. Freshwater pearls are often dyed, either to mimic natural colors of saltwater pearls (like black or gray), or in fashion colors (like orange or hot pink). This makes it easy to find pearl jewelry in many styles to suit anyone.
You need to take special care of your pearl jewelry. Pearls are soft, only 2.5 - 3 on the Mohs scale, so they are very easy to scratch. Make sure you store your jewelry where other pieces can't damage it. Also, don't use a plastic bag, because the plastic emits chemicals that can damage the pearls.
The best way to clean your pearl jewelry is to wipe it gently with a soft, damp cloth (after each time you wear it if possible). Every once in a while, you can wash it in warm water with a mild soap. Put your pearls on AFTER you put on any cosmetics or hair products to protect them. However, wearing them is a good thing - the natural oils from your skin help keep the pearls lustrous and shining.