The Pearl | Identification, value and symbolism of pearls

The Pearl
from the French "perle" (pearl)

Pearls are one of the rarest gems in the world. A pearl is made of calcium carbonate and is born inside the shell of a mollusk.

The most perfect natural and wild pearls are very rare and expensive, so there's been an active industry of cultured oyster pearls and, of course, of imitation pearls.

Pearls have multiple functions: from jewelry and medicine to cosmetics these small white-to-pink spherical pieces have been a synonym of value and perfection. The most extraordinary pearls ever found have no human intervention.

PEARL IDENTIFICATION

Bivalves and clams are responsible for creating layers of nacre that will evolve to a mature perfectly rounded pearl. There are saltwater pearls and freshwater pearl mussels.

Pearl farms mix natural pearl processing with human operations and techniques.

The most common pearls are white and show a metallic mirror-like luster. Pearl's layers will deliver different reflection, refraction and light diffraction properties, from gem to gem.

When the mollusk feels there's an intruder in the shell, it forms several tissue cells around the attacker until a pearl is formed. The entire secretion process can last for two years.

VALUE OF PEARL

Identifying valuable pearls is not as easy as it might appear, at first glance.
The center of the pearl has the answer to distinguish natural wild pearls from farmed pearls. With a gemological X-Ray it is possible to separate these two types of pearls.

A simple school microscope may be useful to distinguish natural and cultured pearls from imitation pearls.

Fine quality natural pearls are rare precious stones and can reach high prices in the jewelry market.

SYMBOLISM OF PEARL

Perfectly rounded pearls are closer to heaven because circles are a metaphor for the "no beginning and no end" symbol of God. The Christian New Testament holds a comparison between the Kingdom of Heaven and the "pearl of great price".

The Quran also refers that "God will admit those who believe and work righteous deeds, to Gardens beneath which rivers flow: they shall be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearls".

Pearls are symbol of purity, spirituality, honesty and wisdom. A pearl is also a lunar symbol.

PEARL, VIP AND CELEBRITIES

Pearl necklaces and pearl earrings have always been popular in the celebrity circle, despite being associated with classic fashion and conservative business suits.

Angelina Jolie, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Lopez, Paula Deen, Helen Mirren, Kate Winslet, Oprah Winfrey, Katherine Heigl and Sandra Bullock have been showing fine pearl jewelry in private parties and public events.

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