Everything You Need to Know About Pearl
Everything You Need to Know About Pearls
Pearls are unique to most other gems and are the true definition of a natural miracle. They are organic creations born under the waves, resulting from a mollusk's defense mechanism, and come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.
Here, we delve into the depths of one of the most classic and timeless gemstones.
PEARL: GENERAL INFORMATION
Alongside Alexandrite and Moonstone, Pearl is the birthstone for June and the stone given on a couple’s 3rd and 30th wedding anniversaries.
Pearl is an organic gemstone and, therefore, doesn’t have a traditional crystal structure. It is made up of calcium carbonate, which creates the Pearl’s many concentric layers.
Most fascinatingly, though, the gem is formed after a new and potentially threatening object, such as a grain of sand, enters a mollusk's shell.
This sand irritates the creature inside the mollusk, so it starts to release a silky substance known as nacre to protect itself. Over time, it continues to wrap nacre around this uninvited guest, and by the time the shell is opened, it will have turned into a beautiful Pearl.
The development of a Pearl is remarkable, and it only scratches the surface of just how precious a gem it is.
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF PEARL
Crystal System Orthorhombic
Specific Gravity 2.60 - 2.85
Refractive Index 1.52 - 1.69
Chemical Formula CaCO3
Composition Calcium Carbonate
WHERE DOES THE NAME ‘PEARL’ COME FROM?
The name ‘Pearl’ originates from the Latin word ‘perna’. Although this directly translates to ‘ham’, the term refers to ‘leg’, specifically the leg-of-mutton shape of a mollusk shell when it’s open.
WHERE IS PEARL SOURCED?
Much of the world’s Pearl supply comes from areas around Japan, the Philippines, Australia and French Polynesia. Freshwater Cultured Pearls are formed using freshwater river mussels, and Cultured Pearls are created with saltwater Pearl oysters from the oceans. Thanks to modern science, Pearls are much more attainable now than in the past, when they were strictly reserved for the royal and wealthy.
After years of demand outweighing supply, Japanese entrepreneur Mikimoto Kokichi decided to find a way to cultivate Pearls under human supervision and stabilize the supply. After a breakthrough in 1893, we can now create Pearls in oyster nurseries that are protected and cared for by experts.
Cultured Pearls form the same way as any natural Pearls, just with a bit of guidance from science and humans. Without them, the gemstone would be just as rare, expensive, and inaccessible as it was two centuries ago.
CLEANING & CARING FOR YOUR PEARL
Despite forming underwater, it is not wise to submerge Pearls in water when cleaning them. Instead, use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently clean them and dry them immediately afterwards. Pearls should never be exposed to an ultrasonic or steam cleaner.
If you choose to have your Pearl set into jewelry, a general rule to follow is to make it the last thing you put on in the morning and the first thing you take off at night to avoid exposure to products like lotions, perfumes, and hairsprays.
Pearls sit between 2.5 and 4.5 on the Mohs scale, meaning even a fingernail can scratch them if they are delicate enough, so they should be stored separately from your other gemstones.
Despite their delicacy, caring for a Pearl doesn’t have to be complicated. With the proper attention, they can last a lifetime and make a glorious addition to any gemstone collection.