|
Possibly the first precious gem coveted by man, pearls
have been admired and desired throughout history.
Documented in the Middle East and Asia as far back
as 3500 B.C. Pearls were worn as a declaration of
wealth, and power, also a symbol of feminine charm,
and grace.
The oldest surviving pearl necklace is over 2,000
years old, discovered in the tomb of a Persian princess.
Cleopatra is said to have dissolved a pearl in a glass
of wine, drinking it to prove her love for Marc Antonius.
Even today crushed pearls find their way into cosmetics,
medicines, even paint.
The word "pearl" derives from the Latin,
"pirum" (sphere), or pirula" (a pear).
Romans and Greeks called it "margarita,"
describing a thing of unique value. Today, among various
European dialects, the word pearl is synonymous with
"bead," causing confusion in translation.
The chemical composition of pearl is calcium carbonate
and conchiolin (organic binder, and water). When a
grain of sand, parasite, or other foreign body, enters
a mollusk, the creature reacts by layering the object
with a substance known as nacre (nay-ker). Over time
many of these organic layers are piled on, protecting
the mollusk, and producing a pearl. Nacre gives pearls
their intense luster, overtones, shapes, and sizes.
In general, larger pearls have more nacre, thus greater
luster.
Pearls arrive in a dazzling array of colors. Their
mesmerizing, iridescent glow captures the eye regardless
of the shade. Most common are: white, white-rose,
silver, gold, pink, cream, peacock-green, purple,
and all shades of grey, to black. Overtones are reflective
shades, seen when light plays across pearls' surface.
Pink and yellow overtones are most common. These color
varieties are influenced by the type of oyster the
pearl originates from.
Almost any shelled mollusk (oysters, clams, mussels)
can create a pearl. Most of these lack any monetary
value, but are pearls none-the-less. The shimmering
varieties favored most, come in two categories; freshwater,
and saltwater. Freshwater pearls come from freshwater
mussels, and are relatively inexpensive. These thrive
in rivers, lakes, ponds, and hot or cold climates.
Saltwater pearls are mainly produced by pearl oysters,
living in a saline environment. Discoveries of natural
saltwater pearls are rare, and little hunting is done
due to the large quantity of oysters sacrificed in
the search. Most pearls on the market today have been
cultured by humans. Kept captive in ideal conditions,
the mollusks are implanted with a small bead and left
to develop; the longer the process, the larger the
pearls.
Pearls emerge from their living shelters in varied
and unique forms. Eight traditional categories exist:
round, semi-round, button, drop, pear, oval, baroque,
and circled. In general, these shapes are defined
by the invading particle itself. Round beads produce
round pearls. Tear drop seeds, produce tear drop pearls,
and so on. Smooth, round pearls, lacking blemishes
or bubbles, have the highest market value.
The ideal way to care for pearls is to wear them.
The body's natural oils keep pearls lustrous. Wipe
them with a clean, smooth cloth, and store safely
to avoid scratches or chipping. Avoid household cleaners,
makeup, and hairspray. The best advice is to put your
pearls on last, and take them off first.
Pearl Types
•
South Sea Pearls- A pearl produced by the Pinctada
Maxima pearl oyster.
• Akoya
Pearls - Original Japanese cultured pearls.
• Keshi
Pearls - A by-product of the culturing process,
typically small. Not found in nature.
• Tahitian
Pearls - Black pearls originating from black
pearl oysters. These come in
shades of light-grey to dark-black.
Sensitivity to culturization makes these valuable,
as well as beautiful.
• Cortez
Pearls - "New World Black Pearls,"
discovered in the Gulf of California, 1533.
• Mabe
Pearls - Blisters, or bubbles, on mother-of-pearl.
They are removed and
worked into jewelry.
• Mother-of-Pearl
- The iridescent inner lining on the upper and lower
shells of
some mollusks. Made of the same
material as pearl.
back
to top
|
