Pearl

The pearl is one of the most treasured and desired natural resources in human civilization. Over thousands of years the pearl has become a symbol of beauty, femininity, purity, perfection and wisdom. From ancient times pearls were used to adorn jewels and valuable objets d’art.

The pearl is created by the crystallization of a certain material called nacre (mother-of-pearl), which is produced by the oyster mollusk, once a grain of sand or other foreign material has penetrated into it. Pearls grow in the saltwater of the seas and oceans as well as in the freshwater of lakes and rivers. Natural pearls are very scarce and expensive. Ecological and economic developments at the beginning of the Middle Ages made fishing for natural oysters a difficult prospect. During this period the Chinese began to experiment with the idea of raising cultivated oysters. In the thirteenth century they succeeded in their attempts to implant tiny figurines of Buddha into the oyster and these were then covered with the pearl’s texture. By the end of the 19th century the Japanese had developed a scientific method for producing high-quality cultivated pearls. This method is still considered to be one of the world’s foremost techniques for cultivating pearls.

In the holistic domain, the pearl is depicted as an important source of positive energy. The pearl’s attributes are maintained irrespective of whether the gem is natural or cultivated. As the source of all the pearls is in water so their traits are preserved. They bear negatively charged atoms that are present in the water and trees and these impart a sense of tranquility and relaxation to the individual man or woman. Some people regard the pearl as a means for purifying the body and treating fertility problems, and also for providing relief during childbirth. The pearl enhances femininity and increases the woman’s self-esteem.

The beauty of the pearl is maintained by making sure that it is cleaned gently in water on a regular basis. The pearls should be kept in a moist and sun-lit environment, and enwrapped in a cloth. The pearl should never be placed in a ultrasonic device, never be exposed to fire, nor brought into contact with oxidizing agents. When wearing the pearl, it is recommended that any contact with perfume, cream or similar materials should be avoided.

Pearl is the birthstone for June.

View jewellery with pearls.