Gemstones, Birthstones, Gemstone Jewelry

Pearl

June Birthstone

Nothing can be as elegant as a beautiful pearl necklace wrapped around a woman’s neck. Pearl jewelry is sophisticated, classic and yet fashionable. These gems are also the birthstone for the month of June and are associated with wisdom and loyalty.

Pearls are one of the oldest gems (known for over 4000 years) and for centuries they have been treasured as the most valuable gemstone. In ancient Rome, pearls were greatly a symbol of wealth and only the aristocracy was allowed to adorn them.

In Persian Mythology, they were described as ‘tears of the Gods’. The mystical glow that these gems radiate from their center led to the belief that they possessed special powers. Pliny the Elder (Roman historian) described pearl as, “The riches merchandise of all, and the most sovereign commodity throughout the whole world”. In ancient Greece, these gems were regarded as symbol of love and marriage.

Natural Pearls

Pearl is an organic gem, that is, it is produced by a living organism. It is produced by salt water oyster or fresh water mussels, when a foreign body such as a parasite gets entrapped into the tissue of a mollusk. To get rid of the irritant, it then produces a blackish substance called as ‘conchiolin’ over which it produces another white substance called as ‘nacre’. The pearl is formed as a result of formation layers of this ‘nacre’. Thicker the layers of nacre, more beautiful is a pearl.

Cultured pearls

The pearls that were mentioned in the books of history were the natural pearls. They were greatly prized for their rarity as they were only formed accidently. Most of the pearls that are sold today in the market are not natural, but cultured. Cultured pearls are also real pearls and they are also produced organically by mollusks or oysters. The difference is that in cultured pearl, human implant the irritant by inserting a mother of pearl bead called the ‘nucleus’. Rest of the process is same as natural pearls, only in this case the insertion of the irritant is not accidental but planned. These cultured pearls come in a wide array of colors, ranging from the white cream hue of Akoya cultured pearls to the steel gray of the Tahitian Pearls.

Pearl Jewelry

Pearl necklace, earrings or bracelets are the essentials of any girls wardrobe. From the icons of 20th Century Queen Elizabeth II, Jacqueline Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor to the modern icons such as Princess Diana, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez, pearls have been and still are the favorite of one and all.

Pearl Necklace

Pearl necklace have a timeless beauty, they are a wonderful combination of style and grace. These necklaces come in a variety of styles.

Bib – It consists of several strands of various lengths.
Collar – Multiple strands of pearl that are worn high on neck. Usually 12 – 13 inches long.
Choker – Usually 14 -16 inches longs, lies easily on the collarbone.
Princess – It is a classic, about 17 – 19 inches long and rests luxuriously below the neck.
Opera – Usually 30 -36 inches long, they go very well with formals and when worn as a casual, it could be easily doubled.

Pearl necklaces are stunning gifts that you could give to any woman in your life. They are also the anniversary stones for 3 years of marriage and are symbolic of purity and sincerity in a relationship.

You could also browse through Angra.com. Its range in Akoya cultured or south sea cultured pearl jewelry are offered at unbeatable prices.