Pearl
General Information about Pearl
- Pearl is a carbonate mineral composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO).
- It belongs to the orthorhombic crystal system.
- Pearls come in various colors such as white, pink, silver, cream, brown, green, blue, black, yellow, orange, red, gold, purple, and iridescent.
- They have an uneven fracture and a hardness of 2.5-4.5 on the Mohs scale.
- The specific gravity of pearls ranges from 2.60 to 2.85.
Identification of Pearl
- Pearls do not have cleavage.
- The streak of pearls is white.
- Common pearls have a refractive index of 1.52-1.66, while black pearls have a refractive index of 1.53-1.69.
- Pearls have a birefringence value of 0.156.
- The luster of pearls is nacreous and iridescent.
Rarity and Value of Pearls
- Wild pearls, which occur spontaneously in nature, are extremely rare and valuable.
- Cultured pearls, farmed from pearl oysters and freshwater mussels, are the majority of pearls sold today.
- Imitation pearls are widely available in inexpensive jewelry.
- Pearls have been historically used in jewelry and to adorn clothing.
- They have also been crushed and used in cosmetics, medicines, and paint formulations.
Pearl Harvesting and Cultivation
- Wild pearls are harvested from natural sources.
- Cultured pearls are cultivated through farming techniques.
- Pearl oysters and freshwater mussels are the primary sources of cultured pearls.
- The majority of pearls sold in the market are cultured pearls.
- The process of pearl cultivation has been developed and refined over time.
Symbolism and Metaphorical Significance of Pearls
- Pearls have become a metaphor for something rare, fine, admirable, and valuable.
- They are often associated with beauty, elegance, and luxury.
- Pearls are frequently used as symbols of purity and innocence.
- In various cultures, pearls hold symbolic and spiritual significance.
- They are considered timeless and classic jewelry pieces.
Pearl Mentions
https://harryandcojewellery.com.au/blogs/news/how-often-should-you-clean-your-engagement-ringhttps://harryandcojewellery.com.au/blogs/news/how-to-propose-without-an-engagement-ring
Pearl Data Sources
Reference | URL |
---|---|
Glossary | https://harryandcojewellery.com.au/blogs/glossary/pearl |
Wikipedia | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl |
Wikidata | https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43436 |
Knowledge Graph | https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/05_8m |