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The most valuable pearls occur spontaneously in the wild, but are extremely rare. These wild pearls are referred to as natural pearls. Cultured or farmed pearls from pearl oysters and freshwater mussels make up the majority of those currently sold. Imitation pearls are also widely sold in inexpensive jewelry, but the quality of their iridescence is usually very poor and is easily distinguished from that of genuine pearls. Pearls have been harvested and cultivated primarily for use in jewelry, but in the past were also used to adorn clothing. They have also been crushed and used in cosmetics, medicines and paint formulations.
Whether wild or cultured, gem-quality pearls are almost always nacreous and iridescent, like the interior of the shell that produces them. However, almost all species of shelled mollusks are capable of producing pearls (technically "calcareous concretions") of lesser shine or less spherical shape. Although these may also be legitimately referred to as "pearls" by gemological labs and also under U.S. Federal Trade Commission rules,[1] and are formed in the same way, most of them have no value except as curiosities.
Creation
Pearls are formed inside the shell of certain mollusks as a defense mechanism against a potentially threatening irritant such as a parasite inside the shell, or an attack from outside that injures the mantle tissue. The mollusk creates a pearl sac to seal off the irritation. Pearls are thus the result of an immune response analogous in the human body to the capture of an antigen by a phagocyte (phagocytosis).[3]
The mollusk's mantle (protective membrane) deposits layers of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in the form of the mineral aragonite or a mixture of aragonite and calcite (polymorphs with the same chemical formula, but different crystal structures) held together by an organic horn-like compound called conchiolin. The combination of aragonite and conchiolin is called nacre, which makes up mother-of-pearl. The commonly held belief that a grain of sand acts as the irritant is in fact rarely the case. Typical stimuli include organic material, parasites, or even damage that displaces mantle tissue to another part of the mollusk's body. These small particles or organisms gain entry when the shell valves are open for feeding or respiration. In cultured pearls, the irritant is typically an introduced piece of the mantle epithelium, with or without a spherical bead (beaded or beadless cultured pearls).[4][5]
Natural pearls
Natural pearls are nearly 100% calcium carbonate and conchiolin. It is thought that natural pearls form under a set of accidental conditions when a microscopic intruder or parasite enters a bivalve mollusk and settles inside the shell. The mollusk, irritated by the intruder, forms a pearl sac of external mantle tissue cells and secretes the calcium carbonate and conchiolin to cover the irritant. This secretion process is repeated many times, thus producing a pearl. Natural pearls come in many shapes, with perfectly round ones being comparatively rare.
Typically, the build-up of a natural pearl consists of a brown central zone formed by columnar calcium carbonate (usually calcite, sometimes columnar aragonite) and a yellowish to white outer zone consisting of nacre (tabular aragonite). In a pearl cross-section such as the diagram, these two different materials can be seen. The presence of columnar calcium carbonate rich in organic material indicates juvenile mantle tissue that formed during the early stage of pearl development. Displaced living cells with a well-defined task may continue to perform their function in their new location, often resulting in a cyst. Such displacement may occur via an injury. The fragile rim of the shell is exposed and is prone to damage and injury. Crabs, other predators and parasites such as worm larvae may produce traumatic attacks and cause injuries in which some external mantle tissue cells are disconnected from their layer. Embedded in the conjunctive tissue of the mantle, these cells may survive and form a small pocket in which they continue to secrete calcium carbonate, their natural product. The pocket is called a pearl sac, and grows with time by cell division. The juvenile mantle tissue cells, according to their stage of growth, secrete columnar calcium carbonate from pearl sac's inner surface. In time, the pearl sac's external mantle cells proceed to the formation of tabular aragonite. When the transition to nacre secretion occurs, the brown pebble becomes covered with a nacreous coating. During this process, the pearl sac seems to travel into the shell; however, the sac actually stays in its original relative position the mantle tissue while the shell itself grows. After a couple of years, a pearl forms and the shell may be found by a lucky pearl fisher.[6]
In jewelry
The value of the pearls in jewelry is determined by a combination of the luster, color, size, lack of surface flaw and symmetry that are appropriate for the type of pearl under consideration. Among those attributes, luster is the most important differentiator of pearl quality according to jewelers.
All factors being equal, however, the larger the pearl the more valuable it is. Large, perfectly round pearls are rare and highly valued. Teardrop-shaped pearls are often used in pendants.
Shapes
Pearls come in eight basic shapes: round, semi-round, button, drop, pear, oval, baroque, circled and double bouldered. Perfectly round pearls are the rarest and most valuable shape. Semi-rounds are also used in necklaces or in pieces where the shape of the pearl can be disguised to look like it is a perfectly round pearl. Button pearls are like a slightly flattened round pearl and can also make a necklace, but are more often used in single pendants or earrings where the back half of the pearl is covered, making it look like a larger, rounder pearl.
Refrence: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl
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However, modern birthstones are linked to calendar months, and each month has
its own unique birthstone, with its own fabled properties. Many people love to
wear jewellery set with their birthstone, as the ancient meanings and
associations with these stones still intrigue them.
You can get many types of jewellery containing birthstones, such as birthstone
rings, a birthstone pendant and birthstone earrings. Giving someone an item of
jewellery set with their birthstone is a touching and wonderful gift, and
whether you give them a birthstone ring, a birthstone pendant or a birthstone
brooch, it is something that they are likely to treasure forever because it has
real meaning and significance.
Below you will find a listing of each of the birthstones used today.
January
The birthstone for this month is the garnet, which was once thought to be
connected with the blood. This stone is supposed to protect the wearer from
nightmares and offer guidance through the dark.
Garnets are long lasting and durable gems, with a fiery, ravishing beauty. This
is type of gem that the wearer will treasure forever, no matter what item of
jewellery it is set into. Garnets are traditionally thought of as deep red, but
actually come in a wide range of colours, so there is something to suit every
taste for this month.
February
The birthstone for this month is the amethyst, and the folklore attached to
this gem associates it with sobriety, tranquillity, protection and peace. This
birthstone as also been linked to improving the skin and preventing baldness,
as well as protection from deceit, so it has a lot to live up to!
The amethyst birthstone comes in varying shades of purple, and can be a pale
lilac in colour. On the other end of the scale, you can also get deep violet amethysts,
which means that you can enjoy a birthstone that is as subtle or as rich as you
like. This birthstone is very hardwearing, and its strength and durability will
ensure that it lasts for a very long time.
March
This month's birthstone is aquamarine, which has been linked to the making of
new friends as well as affection and love, hope and health. This stone was once
also thought to protect those at sea.
As the name of this birthstone suggests, it is a green-blue in colour and has a
rich, sparkling look. You can get aquamarine birthstones in a variety of shapes
and sizes, and you can also get this stone in varying shades of green-blue.
April
One of the most popular gems throughout history, diamonds are the birthstone
for this month, and these stones are linked to love, eternity and strength.
This has contributed towards diamonds being the most popular gems of all time
when it comes to romance, such as engagement rings and wedding bands.
Diamonds are very strong and hardwearing, making them the perfect birthstone to
wear on a daily basis. You can enjoy many different cuts of this stone, and the
fiery, glamorous sparkle given off by diamonds is positively captivating.
May
This month's birthstone is the beautiful emerald, once linked to health and the
curing of ailments, as well as being associated with the ability to see in to
the future, giving them an almost bewitching, magical reputation.
These fiery green gems are amazing to look at, and can be found in a variety of
shapes and cuts. The beauty and richness of this stone makes it the perfect gem
for birthstone jewellery, and is something that the wearer can show off and
take pride in for a long time.
June
The elegant pearl is the birthstone for the month of June, and this gem has
been linked with chastity and modesty, making it something of an angelic, pure
birthstone. They are also linked to successful and happy marriages.
These round, stunning birthstones come in a variety of colours, and a range of
sizes. Pearls can look spectacular yet modest in all manner of jewellery from
birthstone rings, to earrings and necklaces, making them a perfect gift.
July
The birthstone for this month is the ravishing ruby, a stone traditionally
linked with protection and harmony. This birthstone has been mined since
ancient times, and boasts a spectacular beauty.
Deep red in colour, rubies are stunning birthstones that will liven up and
enhance any piece of jewellery. These gems have a unique, vivid and fiery
appearance that would delight anyone.
August
The birthstone for the month of August is peridot, which was commonly linked
with protection against evil and night terrors, as well as a gem that enhanced
the properties of healing drugs.
Lime green in colour, this birthstone is a by-product of volcanic action, and
comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes. This birthstone gives off its own
unique energy, and is strong and durable.
September
Sumptuous sapphire is the birthstone associated with September, and this gem
has been linked with faith and purity, as well as foresight. It was thought
that the stronger the sparkle of the gem, the more faithful and honest the
wearer.
These birthstones look stunning in all types of jewellery, especially in white
gold and platinum metal. However, sapphires can come in other colours as well
as blue. These are strong and durable gems that will last for years to come,
and can be passed down to future generations.
October
The birthstone of October is the opal, a stone that has been linked to purity,
hope and innocence. This gem has also been linked to healing forces, friendship
and emotion, so it has experienced its fair share of folklore over the years.
This type of birthstone comes in white or black, and both variations have
remnants of other colours within them. Opals have a unique look and beauty,
making them a very interesting birthstone with a strangely exquisite
appearance.
November
The birthstone for this month is topaz, once linked with sanity, healing, and
life, as well as being connected to strength by the ancient Greeks. This stone
has even been linked to an ability to make the wearer invisible in dangerous
situations.
This birthstone comes in a range of colours, all of which will enhance any
jewel with a fiery sparkle. Colours include golden, blue, pale green, pink and
red, as well as some other rare colours. A stunning gem, topaz boasts both
beauty and strength.
December
The given birthstone for December is turquoise, and this precious stone was
once linked to happiness, fortune and luck, making it a very popular gem in
centuries gone by.
Turquoise can range in colour from mid-blue to a green-blue or light green
colour, and this birthstone is unusual and beautiful, making it a very
distinctive and unusual addition to any jewellery collection.
Summary
Giving a birthstone to someone special as a gift means giving so much more than
just a piece of jewellery. The ancient meanings associated with each of these
birthstones make them extra-special, giving them a quality that is impossible
to achieve with any other gem.
Whether you decide to give a birthstone ring, necklace earrings or any other
piece of jewellery, you will always find stunning pieces where the precious
metal and the birthstone complement one another perfectly. Birthstone jewellery
makes a unique, beautiful, and affordable gift with real sentiment behind it.
By Reno Charlton
About The Author:
Award winning author and freelance writer, Reno Charlton has completed a number
of informative articles providing consumer information on such topics as birthstones
and gemstones, promise rings, and celtic wedding rings.
Refrence: http://www.e-tarocchi.com/blog/article/2011/10/the-beauty-and-meaning-of-birthstones/department/23