Pearls have been worn since the fourth century B.C. Unlike gemstones that are mined from the earth, a living organism produces a pearl. The only way of collecting pearls were through divers risking their lives at depths of up to 100ft to retrieve the pearl oysters. It was dangerous with a limited chance of success. Until Kokichi Mikimoto from Japan created the world's first cultured pearl in 1893 by manually introducing an irritant into an oyster to stimulate it to form a pearl. Cultivated pearls had the same properties as those formed in deep sea beds. The only difference was that they had a helping hand at getting the natural process started. Today, natural pearls are among the rarest of gems, and they are found only in the seas off Bahrain and Australia.
Meaning
A pearl is one of the birthstones for June, as well as for the star sign of Gemini. Pearls symbolize truth, purity, and integrity. They are thought in some cultures to offer protection, luck, money, and love and they are also thought to bring wisdom. They are well-known for their calming effects. Pearls have a way of bringing class to your outfit. Just look at Audrey Hepburn or Michelle Obama.
Facts
Every pearl is unique with no two being exactly alike. Each pearl has its fingerprint which refers to all its distinguishing features. They take their colour from the inside of the shellfish in which they are grown, its colours ranges from white to black. You will even find colours like gold and purple. Most people believe that all pearls are perfectly round and symmetrical, it isn’t true. They actually come in an array of different shapes. The most common include round, off-round, drop, and baroque.
Care and Clean
1. Pearls are sensitive to heat, humidity, and chemicals. Always put your pearls on after applying cosmetics, hairspray, or perfume.
2. After every wear, wipe your pearls with a soft cloth. This will help prevent any buildup of oils or other substances that may have interacted with your jewelry throughout the day.
3. As needed, clean it by using a barely damp soft cloth that’s been dipped in water with a drop of shampoo added to it and ensure that you let them dry before storing.
