Pearl

Pearls are the only gems made by living creatures, specifically shelled molluscs such as marine oysters and freshwater mussels. The process begins when an irritant such as a grain of sand or a parasite enters the shell and threatens to damage the mollusc’s soft body.

The oyster or mussel secrete layers of nacre or mother-of-pearl to encase the irritant and prevent it from causing damage. Nacre consists of aragonite and conchiolin, which are the same materials that create the animal’s shell. Irritants can enter the mollusc’s shell naturally or they can be inserted manually, as in the case of cultured pearls.

Pearl symbolism is all about wisdom, especially wisdom gained through experience. The gems also symbolises calmness, integrity, loyalty, purity, and serenity.

The most common colour of pearls is white, but various types of pearls are found in a variety of colours, depending on the mollusc and geographic location in which they were formed. A pearl’s colour adds another layer of symbolism. For example, white symbolises innocence, pink symbolises love and romance, yellow symbolises optimism and creativity, and black symbolises protection.

The old saying, “Pearls bring tears” doesn’t seem to be in keeping with wisdom and serenity pearl symbolism. This is probably because the saying may have been based on an old legend that claimed pearls were the solidified tears of mermaids! Pearl is the birthstone for the month of June.