PEARL
Honesty & integrity
The Pearl is probably the most beloved gemstone in human history. It’s created by clams in rivers and the oceans – the only gemstone created by living animals, alongside coral. Pearls are found in an array of shapes, sizes, and colours. Pearls often thrive the most when they’re worn often since the skin’s natural oils help maintain the pearl’s shine.
JUNE'S BIRTHSTONE
Pearl is June's birthstone along with Moonstone, and are also the birthstones for the zodiacs Gemini & Cancer. Each month has its own unique gemstone to represent it. Carrying your birthstone is said to bring good luck. You can carry your birthstone as a good luck amulet, or your loved ones’ birthstone as a symbol of love.
SYMBOLISM
The Pearl symbolises honesty and purity. The Pearl focuses on integrity, sincerity, and truth. Throughout time, it has also been a symbol of wealth and luxury. Thus, the Pearl is a great companion for anyone looking for the truth – be it in relationships or personal discovery.
Learn more about gemstone symbolism in our large Gemstone Encyclopedia here.
SPIRITUALITY
The Pearl differs from other crystals, but even if the pearl is not a ‘real’ mineral, it is still recognized as having the same metaphysical powers as other precious gemstones.
The pearl is known as a healing stone, providing its wearer with inner wisdom, and creating a physical balance. The pearl is also said to absorb negative energy while protecting your aura and adjusting your chakra with the third eye to enhance intuition and clarity.
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PEARL JEWELLERY
Pearls and pearl jewellery need gentle care. Avoid direct sunlight and humidity for prolonged periods. Pearls thrive the best when worn often, as the skin’s natural oils help to keep the pearl’s natural shine.
To clean your pearl jewellery, gently go over the pearl with a soft cloth, to keep the pearl’s metaphysical properties as well as the pearl’s natural shine.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The use of pearls can be dated thousands of years back in time when they were worn as symbols of luxury and wealth. The Egyptian queen, Cleopatra, was said to have allegedly dissolved a large pearl in a glass of wine, just to demonstrate her wealth. The Pearl has also been loved by a number of iconic women such as Marie Antoinette, Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, and Coco Chanel.
HOW ARE PEARLS MADE?
A Pearl is made in nature when a foreign object, such as a grain of sand or a small animal, sneaks its way into the clam. Here, the clam begins to cover the foreign object with countless layers of Mother of Pearl in order to protect itself.
WHAT DOES 'CULTIVATED PEARL' MEAN?
’Cultivated pearls’ is an expression for a pearl that has been cultivated – but is still genuine. Almost all pearls on the market today are cultivated pearls, who are grown on pearl farms. They are grown by placing foreign objects/implants into the clams’ tissue. The clams are then placed back in the water, where they will cover the implants with countless layers of mother of pearl. The pearls can then be harvested 6-18 months later.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FRESHWATER AND SALTWATER PEARLS
As their names suggest, the difference between saltwater- and freshwater pearls is the environment in which they are grown as well as which type of clam, they’re grown in. Both types of pearls can be cultivated and can take on all shapes. Saltwater pearls are often more expensive, as it takes more time to cultivate them.
THE DIFFERENT SHAPES AND TYPES OF PEARL
Pearls can be found in all shapes. Among the most popular shapes are:
Round: Perfectly ball-shaped pearl
Oval: Oblong pearl
Drop: Pear/tear-shaped pearl
Baroque: Asymmetrical/uneven
pearl.
WHAT ARE KESHI PEARLS?
Keshi Pearls consist of 100% Mother of Pearl and don’t have an artificially placed core like cultivated pearls do. The Keshi pearl occurs naturally in the clam’s tissue when pearls of other shapes are cultivated in the same clam. The Keshi Pearl is characterized by its flat, baroque shape, which sort of resembles cornflakes.
WHAT ARE MABE PEARLS?
The Mabe Pearl is a pearl that is created on the inside of the clam’s shell, whereas other pearls are created in the clam’s tissue. That’s why Mabe Pearls always have a flat backside.
ALL PEARL JEWELLERY
Shop the birthstone of June here
AQUAMARINE
Intellect, clarity & focus
MOONSTONE
Motherhood & caring
GREEN AGATE
Harmony, health & protection
PERIDOT
New beginnings & intuition