Pearl
PEARL Meaning and Uses
Jan
Meaning and uses of Pearl
First name
Pearl comes from the Latin “perna” (ham) referring to the shape of some of the pearls mollusk’s. This term has been used since the eighteenth century. Previously the English called to the Pearl with the name of “unioni” (of the Latin “unio”, that means “unit” that is “a single great Pearl”) or also with the name used by Greek and Roman of “margarita”. There are those who associate this name with “marine” because of the aquatic origin of this gem, while others derive the name Pearl from the Persian word “murwari”, which means “daughter of light”, which helps explain why the Pearls have It has always been a symbol of purity and innocence.
Chemical composition of the Pearl
Pearls are a natural reaction of mollusks defending themselves from strange elements: when an irritating substance, such as a tiny fragment of coral or a parasite is insinuated into the delicate tissue of the mollusk, it puts into action a defense mechanism consisting of a combination of calcium carbonate, known as “Madreperla” or “Nacre “. Over time, in some cases, this process will give birth to a Pearl.
Extraction of the Pearl
Pearls differ according to the place where they are extracted and the main varieties are: Pearl Akoya, Pearl of Fresh Water, and Pearl of the South Sea and Pearl Tahitian. Pollution of its original habitat has caused the Akoya Pearl to be cultivated in China, Tahiti, and Vietnam. Las Pearls Freshwater derived from China and Japan while South Sea pearls are grown in Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
History of the Pearl
The pearl has always been considered one of the most precious gems and for this reason, it has been identified as a symbol of power and prestige. Consequently, it denoted the social status and wealth of its possessor. More than 2000 years ago in ancient Rome, the Pearls were the most precious object that could be acquired with money. Julio Cesar, Roman general, dictator and lover of the Pearls had a law enacted in the first century BC that prevented social classes not considered noble to use Pearls. Queen Elizabeth I felt such a fascination for the Pearls that she was even called “Queen of Pearls.” The historical appreciation of the Pearls is also documented in religions. In the New Testament (Matthew 13, 45-46) Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a “splendid Pearl”, while in the Qur’an (35: 33) the Kingdom of Heaven has “gardens of perpetual happiness and who will enter will be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls”. In 1908 the first pearl cultivation by Kokichi Mikimoto took place: a first rudimentary cultivation had been experienced in China in the 5th century, but it was Mukimoto, called “the King of Pearls” to obtain perfectly round pearls. Since the 1960s, cultured Pearls have spread to the gems market and consequently, they have become more accessible to everyone. Called “the King of Pearls” to get perfectly round Pearls. Since the 1960s, cultured Pearls have spread to the gems market and consequently, they have become more accessible to everyone. Called “the King of Pearls” to get perfectly round Pearls. Since the 1960s, cultured Pearls have spread to the gems market and consequently, they have become more accessible to everyone.
Characteristics of the Pearl
The Pearls can be spherical (perfectly round or almost), symmetrical (oval proportions or drop shape) or baroque (abstract or irregular). Once out of the shell are ready to be used, avoiding the endless process of cutting and carving.
The provenience is the primary factor by which the quality of a Pearl is judged because the Pearls of different sites have a diversity of quality and price. In addition to their different species, the Pearls are evaluated based on the color of the body, its brightness, its iridescence, the so-called “oriente”, the purity of its surface, its texture, its dimension, shape, and symmetry.
With regard to the base color of the body of the Pearls the choice is very broad: apricot (orange-yellow), black, blue, bronze (reddish-brown), champagne (yellow-pink), chocolate, cream, gold , green, gray, orange, peach (orange-pink) plum (violet-pink), purple, violet red, white, yellow and all the intermediate ranges of these colors.
The “Orient” of a Pearl is the secondary color that the Pearl emanates and next to its shine is what makes the most beautiful specimens stand out. The east, of translucent colors, “moves” or glides over the body of the Pearl, accentuating and contrasting its depth and splendor. The word “east” comes from the Latin “oriens” which means “sunrise”, appropriate description for this particular effect. While the east is typically of a tone, the number of visible colors and their intensity depend on the pearl species and the thickness of the nacre. The shine of the Pearl also depends on the thickness of the nacre. It is also important to take into account the inclusions of the Pearl, its transparency, the purity and texture of its surface. Pearls with a smooth surface reflect light more evenly than those with significant imperfections.
Variety of Pearls
The Akoya Pearls (Pinctada fucata martensi) derive their name from the Japanese word “akoya-gai”, originally used by Mikimoto to designate saltwater pearls. The Akoya Pearls grow in a period that varies between eight months and two years, inside an oyster in which up to five tiny pearl spheres have been inserted. Akoya Pearls are generally 2 to 6 millimeters in diameter. One in five oysters produces a pearl and only a small fraction of the pearls produced in this way get gem quality (gem quality)
The Freshwater Pearls and Freshwater: the “Hyriopsis Cuingii” lives in fresh water and produce pearls of different colors and shapes. Once the mollusk is grafted with foreign tissue, it can produce up to fifty pearls, helping to make the price extremely accessible. It is a solid mother-of-pearl or mother-of-pearl, very luminous, with multiple colors and typically baroque shapes.
The Pearls of the South Sea (Pinctada Maxima) are famous for their white, silver and gold. They grow in a period that ranges from two months to six years and tolerate the grafting of one nucleus at a time. The Pearls of the South Sea reach great dimensions: between ten and sixteen millimeters in diameter, sometimes reaching twenty millimeters.
The Tahitian Pearls (Pinctada Margaritifera) derive their name from the island of French Polynesia. It is the most coveted Pearls, which have been introduced in the European market only since 1845. The Tahitian Pearls require a training time ranging from four to five years. They host one core at a time, although more than once consecutively. The Tahitian Pearls have good dimensions, between eight and sixteen millimeters in diameter.
