This month's featured stone is not a stone. So why feature it and in May? The pearl is such a timeless, classic, natural beauty. It is associated, with Mother's Day, graduations, weddings, and is the birthstone for June.
All pearls form the same way no matter if they are Freshwater, Salt Water, Cultured or Natural. An irritating object becomes trapped in the shell of a mollusk causing it to create a "pearl sac" to seal off the irritation. In a cultured pearl the irritant is implanted by man to start the process. Over time layers of calcium carbonate are deposited by the mollusk creating a pearl. Generally, this implant is part of an old shell's lining, which is know as Mother of Pearl. Most freshwater cultured pearls sold today come from China.
Pearls created naturally or cultivated generally take three to six years to develop depending on the specific process, desired size, shape, etc.
Pearls come in many shapes, colors, and sizes. They are used in all types of classic and trendy jewelry. They make beautiful pieces that never go out of style. They are graded and valued based on five factors: size, color, shape, surface, and luster/shine. Pearls can be colored during the implant process and some are dyed after harvest to enhance and darken the colors.
Pearls are known as the "Queen of Gems" and were exclusively owned by royalty and the rich. They were prized by the Romans and Egyptians for decorative items as far back as the 5th Century BC. Chinese records mention them even earlier. Pearls also are used as part of Hindu, Islamic, and Christian traditions to symbolize purity and perfection.
So come on in and check out our pearls for your next creation!
