Pearls hold a profound significance in the creation of various jewelry pieces, be it earrings, necklaces, bracelets, or other adornments. Among gemstones, none surpasses the timeless allure of pearls, thanks to their captivating crystalline structure and mesmerizing glistening appearance. While commonly associated with jewelry making, the utility of pearl stone extends to embellishing clothing, medicinal applications, paint production, cosmetics, and numerous other realms.
A distinctive feature of pearls lies in being the only gemstone sourced from living organisms. Shelled mollusks, particularly Oysters, play a pivotal role in the pearl formation process, involving the participation of mantle tissue. The journey of a natural pearl commences within the protective confines of an Oyster's shell. When an irritant, such as a particle of sand, food, or bacteria, becomes lodged inside the Oyster or mollusk, a fascinating secretion process is set in motion.
The mollusk begins to secrete substances, notably calcium carbonate, which includes aragonite or a combination of calcite. These substances contribute to the formation of the outer layer, known as the shell or mother of pearl. The amalgamation of these substances manifests in the creation of nacre. Over an extended period, layers of nacre progressively accumulate, culminating in the exquisite and lustrous pearl.
If Ruby is acknowledged as the "King of Gemstones," then Pearls claim the illustrious title of the 'Queen of Gems,' boasting a history that predates documented literature. As previously noted, Pearls come to life through intricate secretion processes within Pearl Oysters.
The following points succinctly narrate the historical journey of the Pearl Stone:
First Sighting: The credit for the initial discovery of pearls goes to early humans, who, while foraging for food along the seashore, stumbled upon these lustrous treasures.
Diver Exploration: The exploration and identification of pearls trace back to divers in the Red Sea, South Sea, Gulf of Munnar (Sri Lanka), and the Indian Ocean, dating back thousands of years.
Historical Mentions: Historical records include references to pearls in the embassies of Prince Vijaya, the Pandyan King, Emperor Ashoka, and various other notable figures. The multifaceted history of pearls unfolds through these diverse contexts and civilizations.
The outermost layer of pearls, including freshwater pearls, is composed of Calcium Carbonate, with the presence of a substance called aragonite.
These crystals readily dissolve in vinegar, resulting in the formation of calcium acetate and carbon dioxide. The exceptional luster of pearls is intricately linked to the presence of numerous successive layers within them.
The quality of luster improves with the presence of more layers, depending on the reflection, refraction, and diffraction of light. While pearls may appear to exhibit a metallic luster, they can be dyed in various colors, including pink, brown, blue, yellow, purple, and numerous other hues. The versatility of pearls in showcasing a spectrum of colors adds to their enchanting allure.
Sky Pearl: Descends to Earth as raindrops during the Pushya or Shravan Nakshatra on Sunday or Monday.
Cobra Pearl: Develops under the Cobra hood of the King Cobra when raindrops fall into the cobra’s mouth during Swati Nakshatra.
Bamboo Pearl: Takes birth inside bamboo with the rain of Swati Nakshatra.
Hog Pearl: Forms in the head of a hog.
Elephantine Pearl: Develops in the elephant’s temple, specifically of the Airawat breed, born under the Shravan or Pushya Nakshatra on Sunday or Monday.
Conch Pearl: Develops inside the shell of the Conch in an oval shape.
Fish Pearl: Forms inside the stomach of the womb of the fish.
Oyster Pearl: Originates inside the body of the Pearl Oyster within layers of Calcium Carbonate, including Aragonite and Conchiolin.
