Pearl is the oldest known gem, and, for centuries, it was considered the most valuable. To the ancients, pearls were a symbol of the moon and had magical powers. Pearls have also been symbolized purity and innocence. From all the designations, pearl is known as “Queen of Gems.”
According to the legend, different ancients had different believes in pearl, but with the common impression of precious and majestic. In Latin, word for pearl means “unique”, which attests to the fact that no two pearls are identical. In the Americas, both the Incas and Aztecs prized pearls for their beauty and magical powers. In ancient Rome, pearl jewelry was considered the ultimate status symbol. It was so precious that Julius Caesar passed a law limiting the wearing of pearls only to the ruling class. In the Dark ages of ancient China, knights often wore pearls on the battlefield, believing that the precious gemstones would keep them safe.
How is a pearl formed?
When an irritant (e.g. coral, large grit or a bead) enters an oyster/mussel, the mollusc covers the intruder with epithelial cells, forming a pearl sac. These epithelial cells deposit concentric layers of nacre around the intruder, and layer-upon-layer a pearl is formed. Pearls are the result of an oyster/mussel defending itself. If a mollusc does not react in this way it will die.
MENG SENG PEARLS
