Pearl - " Queen Gem "
Gem of the Sea

Aphrodite's tears of joy, dew drops filled with moonlight, Krishna's wedding gift to his daughter, Cleopatra's love potion. The legends of  the pearl abound, but one fact is undeniable, Pearls are the oldest known gem, and for centuries were considered the most valuable. The first known source of Pearls was the Persian Gulf and the ancients of the area believed that Pearls were a symbol of the moon and had magical powers. Astrologically and traditionally worn as strings, or set as pendants, today , pearl rings are also popular particularly with the rare and unusual black pearls.

The Chinese also used Pearls in medicinal ways to cure eye ailments, heart trouble, indigestion, fever and bleedings. To this day Pearl powder is still popular in china as a skin whitener and cosmetic. In India, Pearls were believed to give peace of mind and strength of body and soul. Europeans thought that swallowing whole or powdered Pearls cured matters of  the mind and heart, and strengthened nerves.

During the dark ages in Europe, while fair maidens of  nobility cherished delicate Pearl necklaces, gallant knights often wore Pearls onto the battlefield. They believed that the magic possessed by the lustrous gems would protect them from harm. a natural Pearl ( sometimes called Oriental Pearl ) forms when an irritant works its way into a particular species if mollusk that is actually closer to a scallop than an oyster. As a defense mechanism, the mollusk secretes a fluid to coat the irritant. layer upon layer of this coating ( known as nacre ) is deposited on the irritant until a lustrous pearl is formed. A cultured pearl undergoes the same process, the only difference being that the irritant is surgically implanted mother-of-pearl bead or nuclei. As long as there are enough layers of nacre to result into a beautiful, gem-quality Pearl. Almost every Pearl on the market these days is cultured. It's only at antique auctions that you are likely to come across "naturals ". Cultured Pearls are still "real" pearls, they've simply had a helping hand from mankind.

Freshwater Pearls are available in a far wider color range that saltwater, including purple, violet, orange, blue and grey. White-pink pearls with orient attain the highest prices but with the huge variety of colors available today it's best to choose that which compliments your skin tone and hair color.

The price of Pearls vary widely as a result of luster, size, how they were grown, color and type. Natural Pearls are the most expensive, followed by cultured pearls, Fresh water Pearls tend  to be relatively inexpensive.

Treatment and Care

Pearls are less durable than most gems. they are sensitive to acids, dryness and humidity. If you wear cosmetics and/or perfume, put these on before wearing your Pearl Jewelry. When taking off your Pearls, wipe them with a dry, lint free cloth. If needed, clean your pearls with warm soapy water being very careful to not get water into the drill hole as the Pearl may discolor. dry your Pearls flat on an absorbent soft ( preferably lint-free ) towel. Be sure to check  Pearls under several different light sources, against a dark background. Roll the Pearls around to make sure that the luster is uniform throughout. Minor blemishes may be buffed or washed away. Pearls are very porous and will soak up just about any substance they come in contact with, especially perfume and cosmetics. Store Pearls separately from other jewelry as they will scratch. Store Pearls in a dry environment. Avoid using plastic bags (as moisture may get trapped and cause damage).

Pearl often symbolizes a happy marriage. Pearls have long been considered ideal wedding gifts because they symbolize purity and innocence. In the hindu religion, the presentation of an un-drilled Pearl and its piercing has formed part of the marriage ceremony.

Pearl Mystical Properties

Pearl is said to help one see themselves and help improve self-worth. Giving a loved one a gift of natural pearls is one of the nicest gifts one can give. It allows the wearer to see the love of the person who gave them the Pearls. Pearls were once thought to be the tears of God. As an emblem of modesty, chastity and purity, the Pearl symbolizes love, success and happiness.