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

Pearl Data Sources