NAME: Pearl
MEANING: A pearl traditionally symbolizes love, happiness and success. In many cultures, pearls symbolize purity and innocence, which is why it’s traditional for a bride to wear pearls on her wedding day.
COMMON SPECIES: Pearls have an organic origin are not found within the Earth like most gemstones. The rarest pearls are natural pearls made in the wild. The majority of pearls sold today are cultured or farmed by implanting a grafted piece of shell (and sometimes a round bead) into pearl oysters or freshwater pearl mussels.
COLOUR: Pearls come in a wide range of natural shades and colours but are generally known to have lustrous creamy white hue.
MOHS HARDNESS: Pearls are very soft, ranging between 2.5 and 4.5
OPTICAL PROPERTIES: The finest pearls have a reflective lustre, making them appear creamy white with an iridescent sheen that casts many colourful hues.
HISTORY IN JEWELLERY: The oldest known pearl jewellery was discovered in the sarcophagus of a Persian Princess who died in 520 B.C.
TREATMENTS AND ENHANCEMENTS: Cultured freshwater pearls can be dyed yellow, green, blue, brown, pink, purple or black.
LEGENDS: According to South Asian mythology, Pearls were dewdrops that fell into the sea from heaven.
ASSOCIATIONS: The pearl is also the birthstone those born under the signs of Gemini and Cancer, and frequently gifted on 1st, 3rd, 12th and 30th wedding anniversaries.
CARING FOR EMERALD: With care pearl jewellery can be a lasting treasure. Be aware that pearls are soft and easily scratched or abraded. Pearls are susceptible to aging, dehydration, and sometimes excessive bleaching during initial processing might make some pearls more fragile. High heat can burn cultured pearls or cause discoloration, splitting, or cracking. Pearl can be damaged by many chemicals acids including hair spray, perfume, cosmetics, and even perspiration. To keep your pearls looking their best, wipe pearls with a very soft, clean cloth after each wearing. Store them in their own breathable bag and get them restrung regularly to prevent the silk deteriorating.
