Sedona Gem and Mineral Club

Gorgeous and beloved and timeless, pearls are unique as they are gemstones formed within a living creature from oceans, lakes, and rivers around the world.  Since natural pearls are rare and hard to harvest, humans invented the technique of culturing salt and freshwater pearls from mollusks carefully seeded with irritants like those produced in nature such as a piece of sand or a parasite.

Cultured Pearls come in many beautiful colors, from pale cream and white to rose, lilac, green, gold, gray and black.  There are four main types of cultured pearls — Akoya, South Sea, Tahitian, and Freshwater — each with unique qualities that separates it from the others.

Pearls have long been associated with purity, humility, and innocence, often meaning is “sweet simplicity.” As such, pearls were traditionally given as a wedding gift.

The pearl birthstone was also thought to have beneficial properties. In the ancient Sanskrit text, the Atharvaveda, pearls were said to bestow long life and prosperity. In Asia, pearls were believed to help alleviate indigestion and hemorrhages. Some 19th century Arab physicians maintained that pearl powder improved eyesight, quieted nervous tremors, and eased depression. 

Pearl is a serene gem that is commonly believed to be calming and centering. Due to its round shape and pale color, pearl is often associated with the moon and feminine energy.  Throughout history, pearls have been used to treat the skin, digestive tract, muscles, and more. Pearl powder contains many minerals and has been used in cosmetics and beauty projects.