Pearls
June has the honour of calling Pearl its birthstone. Actually, June is one of two months which have three gemstones associated with it, Pearl, Alexandrite and Moonstone. We will be diving into a quick study of Pearls, their history, where they are found, and so much more!
Pearl is a unique gem. It is the only gem made by living creatures. Molluscs produce pearls by depositing calcium carbonate in layers around microscopic irritants. Even though any shelled mollusc can make a pearl, only two groups of bivalve molluscs use nacre (also known as “Mother-of-Pearl'') to create the iridescent pearls valued in jewellery.
A rich and lustrous history.
Just like many other popular gems, Pearls have adorned and been coveted by royalty and aristocracy the world over. Widely regarded as the oldest gem, the discovery and use of pearls as jewellery predate written history. Pearls have been cherished for millenia and the earliest known example of pearl jewellery was found in the sarcophagus of a Persian Princess dated to 420 BC - the specimen is currently on display in the Louvre Museum. Research also suggests that pearls were gifted to Chinese royalty as early as 2300 BC, while in ancient Rome Julius Caesar passed a law in the 1st Century BC limiting the wearing of pearls to the ruling classes only.
Natural Oysters were abundant in the Arabian Gulf and these beautiful gemstones were a source of wealth and trade in the region for centuries before the rise of cultured pearls.
Shrouded in Legend
The longevity and illustrious history of Pearls means that this beautiful gem has many legends attributed to it.
Ancient Chinese believed that pearls were symbolic of the wearer's purity and strength of character. Medieval Knights wore pearls into battle, believing that the gems would keep them safe. Ancient Vedic texts tell that Pearls were born of the Earth’s waters and the heaven’s powers and were fertilised by a flash of lightning. They also considered Pearls to be the daughters of the moon, while in western cultures these gems were associated with the goddess of love and beauty - Venus, who also came from the sea.
Some cultures say that pearls are tears shed by the gods, and the colour of the pearl is associated with the emotion experienced by the god or goddess when they cried. In Polynesian folklore, it is said that the god Lono came down to earth on a rainbow and presented the beautiful daughter of a chief with black pearls as a gift. While Chinese myth tells that pearls fell from the sky when dragons fought in the clouds. In Chinese culture, golden pearls are often believed to bring prosperity and good fortune.
All the colours under the sea! How Pearls get their colours
Pearls are created predominantly when an irritant gets caught in the flesh of an bivalve mollusc that produces nacre (also called mother-of-pearl). In response to the irritant, the mollusc (an oyster for example) coats the irritant in layers of nacre to make it smooth and less irritating against its flesh.
The colour of the host mollusc genetically determines the colour of the pearl. Different types of molluscs can produce pearls in many different colours. The shell of the mollusc, like the lip of an oyster, for example, is a good indicator for the colour an eventual pearl may be. For example Tahitian black lipped oysters produce black pearls as this is the tone of nacre these molluscs produce.
Pearls usually have a body colour and an overtone. Body colours include white, black, cream, silver, yellow (gold), or grey. The overtone is a lustre colour that is just barely hinted at over the body colour. Overtones can be rose, green, blue or violet.
How to care for your pearl jewellery
Pearl jewellery is more delicate than other types of jewellery. Pearls are soft gems and are usually strung on specialty strings rather than a metal chain. We recommend prevention rather than cure for caring for your pearls. Like high heels, your pearl jewellery should be the last thing you put on before you leave and the first thing you take off when you get home. We recommend that you do not wear your pearl jewellery while sleeping, showering, swimming or exercising. Avoid contact with body care products and harsh chemicals, like perfumes, hairspray, lotions and household cleaners. Be especially careful around alcohol, acetone or ammonia based cleaners and solvents as these will damage your pearls.
How to clean your Pearl jewellery
Pearl jewellery can be tricky to deep clean because these organic gems are very soft and can easily be damaged by harsh cleaning agents. At Home - we recommend gently wiping your pearls with a damp clean soft polishing cloth only. Please be mindful that the use of some chemicals - especially chemicals that use ammonia, alcohol or acetone may damage your pearls or the string they are on. Alternatively, you can bring your pearl jewellery in store for a complimentary clean or let our jeweller revive it to its former glory with a professional clean, restring and check for a small fee.
Where are they sourced?
Natural Pearls are very rare and most pearls on the market today are cultured. Salt water pearls are most commonly cultured in the warm waters of the Pacific ocean. Big saltwater pearl producing countries include:
China, Japan, Australia, Myanmar, Indonesia, the Philippines, The Cook Islands, French Polynesia, and New Zealand.
Freshwater Pearls found in rivers streams and freshwater lakes across the globe and are most commonly commercially produced in China, the USA and Japan.
Hardness - Pearls vary in hardness and are usually rated from 2.5 - 4.5 out of 10 on Mohs Hardness Scale.
Can you wear pearls as an engagement ring centre stone?
Pearls are beautiful, elegant, timeless gems that have beautiful symbolism. They are traditional but also novel and a little bit different for an engagement ring and come in a wide array of colours and shapes. They are also much more affordable than Diamonds or other gemstones.
However, due to their softness, 2.5 - 4.5 on Mohs Scale, Pearls can scratch and damage exceedingly easily. Pearls will require a lot more care, maintenance and possible replacement throughout the lifetime of the ring because of this.
Any Questions?
Please email us at hello@senseandwonder.co.nz and we would be happy to answer them for you!
Pearl is a unique gem. It is the only gem made by living creatures. Molluscs produce pearls by depositing calcium carbonate in layers around microscopic irritants. Even though any shelled mollusc can make a pearl, only two groups of bivalve molluscs use nacre (also known as “Mother-of-Pearl'') to create the iridescent pearls valued in jewellery.
A rich and lustrous history.
Just like many other popular gems, Pearls have adorned and been coveted by royalty and aristocracy the world over. Widely regarded as the oldest gem, the discovery and use of pearls as jewellery predate written history. Pearls have been cherished for millenia and the earliest known example of pearl jewellery was found in the sarcophagus of a Persian Princess dated to 420 BC - the specimen is currently on display in the Louvre Museum. Research also suggests that pearls were gifted to Chinese royalty as early as 2300 BC, while in ancient Rome Julius Caesar passed a law in the 1st Century BC limiting the wearing of pearls to the ruling classes only.
Natural Oysters were abundant in the Arabian Gulf and these beautiful gemstones were a source of wealth and trade in the region for centuries before the rise of cultured pearls.
Shrouded in Legend
The longevity and illustrious history of Pearls means that this beautiful gem has many legends attributed to it.
Ancient Chinese believed that pearls were symbolic of the wearer's purity and strength of character. Medieval Knights wore pearls into battle, believing that the gems would keep them safe. Ancient Vedic texts tell that Pearls were born of the Earth’s waters and the heaven’s powers and were fertilised by a flash of lightning. They also considered Pearls to be the daughters of the moon, while in western cultures these gems were associated with the goddess of love and beauty - Venus, who also came from the sea.
Some cultures say that pearls are tears shed by the gods, and the colour of the pearl is associated with the emotion experienced by the god or goddess when they cried. In Polynesian folklore, it is said that the god Lono came down to earth on a rainbow and presented the beautiful daughter of a chief with black pearls as a gift. While Chinese myth tells that pearls fell from the sky when dragons fought in the clouds. In Chinese culture, golden pearls are often believed to bring prosperity and good fortune.
All the colours under the sea! How Pearls get their colours
Pearls are created predominantly when an irritant gets caught in the flesh of an bivalve mollusc that produces nacre (also called mother-of-pearl). In response to the irritant, the mollusc (an oyster for example) coats the irritant in layers of nacre to make it smooth and less irritating against its flesh.
The colour of the host mollusc genetically determines the colour of the pearl. Different types of molluscs can produce pearls in many different colours. The shell of the mollusc, like the lip of an oyster, for example, is a good indicator for the colour an eventual pearl may be. For example Tahitian black lipped oysters produce black pearls as this is the tone of nacre these molluscs produce.
Pearls usually have a body colour and an overtone. Body colours include white, black, cream, silver, yellow (gold), or grey. The overtone is a lustre colour that is just barely hinted at over the body colour. Overtones can be rose, green, blue or violet.
How to care for your pearl jewellery
Pearl jewellery is more delicate than other types of jewellery. Pearls are soft gems and are usually strung on specialty strings rather than a metal chain. We recommend prevention rather than cure for caring for your pearls. Like high heels, your pearl jewellery should be the last thing you put on before you leave and the first thing you take off when you get home. We recommend that you do not wear your pearl jewellery while sleeping, showering, swimming or exercising. Avoid contact with body care products and harsh chemicals, like perfumes, hairspray, lotions and household cleaners. Be especially careful around alcohol, acetone or ammonia based cleaners and solvents as these will damage your pearls.
How to clean your Pearl jewellery
Pearl jewellery can be tricky to deep clean because these organic gems are very soft and can easily be damaged by harsh cleaning agents. At Home - we recommend gently wiping your pearls with a damp clean soft polishing cloth only. Please be mindful that the use of some chemicals - especially chemicals that use ammonia, alcohol or acetone may damage your pearls or the string they are on. Alternatively, you can bring your pearl jewellery in store for a complimentary clean or let our jeweller revive it to its former glory with a professional clean, restring and check for a small fee.
Where are they sourced?
Natural Pearls are very rare and most pearls on the market today are cultured. Salt water pearls are most commonly cultured in the warm waters of the Pacific ocean. Big saltwater pearl producing countries include:
China, Japan, Australia, Myanmar, Indonesia, the Philippines, The Cook Islands, French Polynesia, and New Zealand.
Freshwater Pearls found in rivers streams and freshwater lakes across the globe and are most commonly commercially produced in China, the USA and Japan.
Hardness - Pearls vary in hardness and are usually rated from 2.5 - 4.5 out of 10 on Mohs Hardness Scale.
Can you wear pearls as an engagement ring centre stone?
Pearls are beautiful, elegant, timeless gems that have beautiful symbolism. They are traditional but also novel and a little bit different for an engagement ring and come in a wide array of colours and shapes. They are also much more affordable than Diamonds or other gemstones.
However, due to their softness, 2.5 - 4.5 on Mohs Scale, Pearls can scratch and damage exceedingly easily. Pearls will require a lot more care, maintenance and possible replacement throughout the lifetime of the ring because of this.
Any Questions?
Please email us at hello@senseandwonder.co.nz and we would be happy to answer them for you!
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