Pearl is an organic gemstone; formed inside of a mollusk, such as an oyster or mussel as the result of an irritant.  Layers of nacre, a transparent material secreted by the mollusk, build up eventually forming a pearl.  Light reflecting from these layers is what gives a pearl its luster.

Pearls are relatively soft, at approximately 2.5 – 4.5 on the Mohs scale.  So, care must be taken to prevent scratches on their surfaces when they are worn or stored.

Pearl color varies with the type of mollusk and water (fresh/salt) and includes: the full range of shades between white and black as well as silver, cream, golden, green and blue.

Lore

“The study of past beliefs and the application of modern science reveals truths behind many ancient claims.  As with some superstitions and myths, the healing powers of some gems is based in scientific fact.  Some of the applications have, however, become exaggerated and confused.  One example is the use of powdered pearls as a cure for digestive distress.  Pearls are approximately ninety percent calcium carbonate.  Similar chemical compounds are found in modern antacids and other stomach remedies.  Early physicians, without the benefit of modern chemistry, found a natural source for this remedy.” ¹

“Pearls are finished gems when found.  Their beauty has been valued for centuries, but their popularity has varied over time.  In 1916, millionaire Morton Plant wanted to purchase a magnificent rope of peals at Cartier’s for his wife.  The price was $1 million!  He proposed an exchange – a piece of real estate for the necklace – and Cartier agreed.  In 1956, these magnificent pearls were auctioned at Parke-Bernet and brought only $151,000.  The real estate is the Fifth Avenue landmark building that Cartier still occupies, one of the most valuable corners in New York City.” ²

“Agates even played a part in the pearl-diving industry, at least according to the early Christian work, Physiologus.  A pearl-fisher tied a bit of agate to a line and dropped it into the sea – the agate was supposed to go directly to the pearl and remain there unmovingly.  The diver could then follow the line directly to the pearl-bearing oyster.” ³

“The pearl-fishers of Borneo are said to preserve carefully every6 ninth pearl they find, and place them in a bottle with two grains of rice for each pearl, believing, in spite of all evidence to the contrary, that these particular pearls have the power to engender and breed others.  Custom and superstition require that each bottle shall have the finger of a dead man as a stopper.” ⁴

“The dragon-shaped sea –gods of India and the dragon-gods of China and Japan have close associations with pearls.  In a sixth-century Chinese work, it is stated that pearls are spit out by dragons.  Dragons have pearls ‘worth a hundred pieces of gold’ in their mouths, under their throats or in their pools.  When dragons fight in the sky, pearls fall to the ground.” ⁵

“. . . pearl is born of the tears of the god of the Moon, and that its lunar origin – the moon being a source of eternally curative ambrosia – makes it the antidote for all poisons.  In China, medicine made use only of ‘virgin pearl’, not perforated, which was supposed to cure all diseases of the eyes.  Identical virtues are ascribed to pearls by Arab medicine.” ⁶

“They [pearls] have long been used in love magic, either worn or carried to spread loving vibrations.  In India, women wear pearls as a magical insurance for a happy marriage.” ⁷

Pearl is a birth stone for June.

1)       1)  Bruce G. Knuth “Gems in Myth Legend and Lore” pg. 6

2)      2)  Anna S. Sofianides “Gems and Crystals- From the American Museum of Natural History (Rocks, Minerals and Gemstones)” pg. 172

3)      3)  Diane Morgan “Gemlore- Ancient Secrets and Modern Myths from the Stone Age to the Rock Age” pg. 4

4)     4)   George Frederick Kunz “The Curious Lore of Precious stones” pg. 42

5)      5)  Donald Alexander Mackenzie “Myths of China and Japan” pg. 39

6)      6)  Mircea Eliade “Images and Symbols” pg. 145

7)      7)  Scott Cunningham “Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic” pg. 147

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