Pearl

Pearl Stone Meaning and History

This captivating stone originates from oceans, lakes, and rivers around the world, making it a timeless wardrobe staple beloved by women of all ages. The origin of pearls has fascinated our forebears, with ancient beliefs ranging from pearls being teardrops fallen from heaven in the Middle East to being formed from the brain of a dragon according to Chinese folklore. Even Christopher Columbus and his contemporaries thought that mollusks formed pearls from dewdrops.

Pearls are organic gems that grow inside the tissue of a living saltwater or freshwater mollusk, either an oyster or a mussel. Natural pearls form when the mollusk secretes a substance called nacre around an irritant such as a piece of sand or a parasite that has invaded its shell. On the other hand, cultured pearls are a product of human intervention, where technicians implant a piece of mantle tissue alone or with a mother-of-pearl shell bead into a host mollusk, which then covers the irritant with nacre, similar to a natural pearl. Cultured pearls are raised in pearl farms, where the mollusks are cleaned, protected from predators, and eventually harvested. Due to the decimation of natural pearl beds over thousands of years of pearl fishing, cultured pearls now account for the vast majority of pearl sales. These cultured pearl stones come in a dazzling array of sizes, colors, and shapes.

Pearls have long been associated with purity, humility, and innocence, earning them the meaning of "sweet simplicity." Traditionally, pearls were given as a wedding gift.

The pearl stone was also believed to have beneficial properties. In the ancient Sanskrit text the Atharvaveda, pearls were said to bestow long life and prosperity, while in Asia, they were believed to help alleviate indigestion and hemorrhages. Some 19th-century Arab physicians claimed that pearl powder improved eyesight, quieted nervous tremors, and eased depression.

One of the most famous natural pearls is the 50.56-carat La Peregrina, discovered in the 1500s in the Gulf of Panama. About the size of a pigeon’s egg, this drop-shaped pearl became a prized possession of European royalty before being gifted to Elizabeth Taylor by Richard Burton in 1969. Christie’s New York auctioned the Cartier necklace containing La Peregrina for $11.8 million in 2011.

Where is Pearl found?

Warm waters, clear skies, and dramatic scenery—it sounds like a dream beach vacation, don’t you think? It’s also an accurate description of where you'll often find these pearl stones. Pearl-bearing mollusks fail to thrive in polluted waters, so pearl farms are usually located far from civilization and often in breathtaking settings.

Saltwater cultured pearls are grown in many areas around the world. Akoya cultured pearl farms are primarily found in Japan and China, especially along the southern coasts of Guangdong and Guangxi provinces. South Sea cultured pearls are farmed from the northern coast of Australia through Indonesia to the southern coast of Southeast Asia, with large operations in the Philippines as well. The Gambier Islands and the Tuamotu Archipelago, both part of French Polynesia, are two locales where the rich black Tahitian pearls are cultured. China is the dominant source of freshwater cultured pearls.

Natural pearls have been found in the Arabian Gulf (Persian Gulf) for at least 5,000 years, while divers have been recovering this stone from the Red Sea since 300 BCE. The Strait of Mannar has been providing pearls since 2000 BCE. Starting in the 16th century, during Spanish colonial rule, large quantities of pearls were recovered from the waters off Mexico, Central America, and what is now Venezuela. Only small quantities of pearls are found in any of these areas today.

Pearl Stone Care and Cleaning

Pearls are 2.5 to 3.0 on the Mohs Scale of hardness, making them comparatively soft gems that require special care. Store them separately from other gemstones and metal jewelry to prevent scratching. Never store your pearl stones in a plastic bag—plastic can emit a chemical that will damage their surface. Always apply perfume, hair products, and cosmetics before putting on your pearl jewelry. The best way to clean your stones is to use a soft, damp cloth, ideally after each time the pearls are worn.