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Pearls
A pearl is a calcium carbonate deposit that has collected and been formed within the soft tissue of a shelled mollusk, such as an oyster, clam or mussel. The most sought after pearls are nacreous pearls, which are produced by mollusk bivalves or clams. These come from both the sea or from freshwater lakes.
The rarity of the pearl, which is why pearls have been so valued over the centuries, has been due to the fact that fine pearls are so rarely produced in the wild, and it took the killing of many mollusks before one was found. This resulted in the creation of a method to artificially introduce an 'irritating' core or nucleus that would encourage the development of a new "cultured" pearl.
Today, buying a Natural Pearl would really cost a fortune, Hence Cultured pearls are commonly used in day to day jewellery.
Cultured pearl also shares the same chemical and physical properties compared to Natural Pearl except that of introduction of nucleus.
It is observed that the cultured pearls has shown the similar astrological effects that of a natural pearls
Where do pearls come from?
China is today the largest producer of akoya pearls, once dominated by Japan. Japan today does not produce akoya pearls smaller than 8 mm and it remains a large processor of China's akoya pearls. South Sea pearls are primarily sourced from Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Black pearls are found in Tahiti and are very rare.
What shapes do pearls come in?
There are eight basic pearl shapes--round, semi-round, drop, pearl, oval, button, circle, and baroque. Semi-rounds are often used in necklaces, where their lack of full roundness can be hidden, while round pearls are the most valuable as they are the rarest. Pear shaped and drop pearls are often used in earrings, pendants or the center pearl in a necklace. Baroque pearls are very random in shape and are often used individually as center pieces or in necklaces.
Natural pearls are the most valuable
Natural pearls are the most valuable as they are the rarest and produced in small quantities. Cultured pearls will generally be less expensive, as they are more available, but also can be expensive depending on their fineness. Imitation pearls are the least expensive as they are produced in large quantities and are clearly not rare.
Pearl - Important Characteristics
- Classification
- Hardness (Mohs Scale)
- Chem. formula
- Composition
- Crystal Structure
- Colour
- Atomic (Crystal )Structure
- Index of Refraction
- Density (Relative)
- Luster
- Uses
: Organic Material
: Two & half to Four & half (2.5 - 4.5 )
: CaCo3
: Calcium Carbonate.
: Orthorhombic Microcrystalline.
: Various Shades & Colour.
: Orthorhombic
: 1.52 - 1.68
: 2.60 - 2.85
: Pearly
: Jewelry, decorative art, ornaments.
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It is firmly believed that wearing of pearl ensure happy conjugal life and protection from widow-hood. Anybody wearing an unblemished Pearl earns riches and is blessed by goddess of wealth Lakshmi. He or she lives long and all his sins are said be washed away. He gets vitality, becomes intelligent and achieves a high position in life. Pearl with a yellow luster brings wealth. A reddish pearl makes one intelligent. White Pearl bestows fame and the Pearl with blue hue is the giver of good fortune. The wearing of a defective pearl brings troubles.
The following are the flaws found in Pearls:
1. Cracks on surface
2. Lines on the body of the Pearl.
3. Joint like appearance.
4. Mole of black colour, the wearing of such Pearl gives very inauspicious results,
5. Without any luster
6. With spots,
7. One with dirt inside it,
Who Should Wear A Pearl
Pearl is the gemstone ruled by Moon. It is a suitable and gainful gemstone for those in whose nativities Moon is lord of an auspicious house or when as lord of an auspicious house is afflicted or not well placed in the birth charts.
The minimum one should wear pearls is 4 carets. It is more auspicious to wear 5, 7, or 9 carets or 109 beads pearl Mala. The Ornament should be made in silver and worn on a Monday before 10 AM after washing it in holy water and un boiled milk and after touching the pearl on the feet of Lord Shiva. The mantra for wearing pearl is
"OM CHANDRAYA VIDMAHE, LAKSHMI SAHODHARAYA DHEEMAHEE THANNO SASISEKHARA PRACHODAYAT"
and
"OM SRAAM SREEM SROUM SAHA CHANDRAMASE NAMAHA".
Procedure of Wearing Pearl
On the day start off by invoking the blessings of Lord Ganesha and then follow it with the Chandra mantra 108 times. It is advisable to recite the Chandra Mantra every Monday during the first hour from sunrise for 9 continuous Mondays to charge the Pearl. The maximum effects of wearing pearl lasts up to 2 years from the day of wearing it.
One can buy or gift Pearls on occasions like Weddings, graduation, valentines day, anniversaries etc as it is considered a very auspicious gift.
Beaware of Imitation Pearls of plastic or glass sold as natural Pearls in the gemstone markets. Many people fall pray to such malpractice.
Always demand a Certified Gemstones whereby the certificate is issued by a Reputed Laboratory or a Reputed Gemologist
Pearl is the modern June birthstone.
