Pearl
What is a pearl?
Pearls are unlike most gemstones which are usually found deposited within the earth. Formed within the soft tissue of a living shelled mollusc, typically an oyster or mussel, pearls are like treasures from beneath the waves. Here’s the science bit: when an irritant such as a grain of sand enters the mollusc, the animal secretes layers of something called nacre (a combination of calcite and conchiolin) around it to protect itself. Over time, these layers build up to form a beautiful pearl, hidden within the shell.
Types of pearl
We have natural pearls which are formed without any human intervention. These gems are extremely rare and, therefore, extremely valuable. We also have cultured pearls that are formed with human assistance, where an irritant is intentionally inserted into the mollusc.
Then there’s the differentiation between freshwater and saltwater pearls. Freshwater pearls are typically found in mussels in rivers and lakes, while saltwater pearls are found in oysters in seas and oceans.
There are a few characteristics that define a pearl. The shape is one of the first features we notice. The round is probably the most sought-after, but you can also get oval, drop, or irregular, also known as baroque.
The lustre, or shine and reflection, on the pearl’s surface is another defining feature. This unique shimmery appearance is instantly recognised and often replicated with widely varying colours, including black, blue, pink and even gold hues. But the main hue we know and love is the bridal white.
The lore of the mighty pearl
Pearls have been around for as long as clams and oysters have (so that’s a long, long time) and as soon as they were discovered, they caught the attention of the future civilisations.
In ancient mythology, pearls were believed to be ‘tears of gods’ or ‘dewdrops filled with moonlight.’ As early as 2300 BC, pearls were prized in China and were often used as gifts to royalty. In Hinduism and Buddhism, pearls are associated with purity, enlightenment and spiritual transformation, a trait that’s still reflected in their association with weddings nowadays.
Then there was Cleopatra, who famously dissolved a pearl in vinegar and drank it to win a bet with Mark Antony, which demonstrated their immense value at the time. By the 1st century BC, pearls were considered the ultimate symbol of wealth and social status in Roman society. Julius Caesar passed a law limiting the wearing of pearls to the ruling classes and pearls continued to be highly valued in Europe throughout the Middle Ages.
During the Renaissance, pearls became even more popular in Europe, symbolising wealth, power and beauty. They were featured heavily in the clothing and jewellery of the time, which you can see in various famous works of art of the time.
With the discovery of pearls in the New World, especially in the waters off the coasts of present-day Venezuela and Panama, the European demand for pearls grew even further throughout the 16th and 17th centuries. The love for this precious little gem never really waned and it’s been part of art, fashion and culture all around the world until this very day. Pearl also happens to be one of the less popular birthstones for June.
A fashionable affair
Pearls became a fashion staple, especially during the mid-20th century. Icons such as Coco Chanel, Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn frequently wore them and created unforgettable fashion moments that involved pearls. Not to mention all the quotes. From ‘Pearls will make you glow like moonlight,’ said by Coco, to ‘The pearl is the queen of gems and the gem of queens,’ as stated by the Princess of Monaco herself, these gemstones had a permanent place in the hearts of the style elite.
Then we had the preppy Queen Bees of the ‘80s teen movies, more modern royals like Princess Diana, and Carrie Bradshaw with rows and rows of pearls she’d wear around Manhattan on her fabulous escapades.
Are pearls durable?
Pearls, while beautiful, somewhat live up to their delicate and dainty status. They’re substantially less durable compared to many other gemstones, with a rather low hardness on the Mohs scale, typically around 2.5 to 4.5. Considering the mighty diamond is a perfect 10, this means pearls can be easily scratched by harder materials.
Pearls are also sensitive to chemicals. Remember that Cleopatra story from earlier? As they’re organic and composed mainly of calcium carbonate, they’re sensitive to acids, even weak ones like vinegar or lemon juice. Exposure to chemicals found in cosmetics, perfumes, and even as it seems, salad dressing, can damage their surface quite a bit.
They can also be easily damaged by impacts and abrasions, so you wouldn’t want to bite them (as some old wives tales suggest…) or scratch them against some furniture or your other jewellery. The best way to treat them is as if they were a precious and delicate egg that comes out for special occasions and needs an extra bit of TLC and attention.
At Taylor & Hart, we’re proud to be a part of so many love stories and special moments. We’ve been there for the proposals and weddings, so it makes sense for us to continue to play a part in your special milestones from anniversaries and birthdays, to Valentine’s surprises or ‘just because’ gifts.
Pearls are known to symbolise purity, grace and new beginnings, so adding it to our bridal and gifting offering seemed like the natural next step. We don’t craft engagement and wedding rings with pearls because they’re worn on a part of the body that is susceptible to daily knocks that pearls just won’t withstand. Because pearl jewellery items are worn on the neck, ears and wrists, they’re less likely to be damaged and we guarantee that if worn with care, these items will be admired for a lifetime.
How to clean pearl jewellery
To clean your pearl jewellery, we’d recommend a simple rub with a soft, clean, damp cloth over the pearls. No hard scrubbing, no chemicals or soaps of any kind. No toothbrushes like with other gemstones as they can scratch the pearls. Do not soak or submerge the pearl jewellery in water either–this is especially important for strung pearls. Once a string of cultured pearls are clean, lay them on a towel to dry. Wet string can stretch and attract dirt, so don’t touch a strand of cultured pearls until it’s completely dry.
We’d also recommend completing that simple cleaning process before putting them away after wear too, not just when they look dirty. This means if anything has gotten on them during the day you are cleaning it off before it has too much time to sink into the pearl while it’s stored away waiting for its next wear.
How to care for your pearl jewellery
Pearls contain a small amount of water so shouldn’t be kept in an air tight or dry environment–we’d recommend storing your pearl jewellery item in a soft fabric pouch or its own cushioned jewellery box, apart from other jewellery items to avoid any chance of scratching whilst being stored.
In addition to contact with hard surfaces or objects, chemicals can damage cultured pearls. Cosmetics like perfume, makeup, and hairspray contain chemicals that can eat away at a cultured pearl’s nacre, dulling it forever.
Chlorinated swimming pool water is also hazardous to cultured pearls. Never wear pearl jewellery when using harsh cleaning chemicals, especially the bracelets but even the other jewellery could get affected if the chemicals are in spray bottles where it could spray back onto the jewellery. Don’t wear pearl jewellery when doing manual labour, gardening or going to the gym.
A simple way to remember is that you should put on your pearl jewellery last–as a final touch before a special occasion.
Pearl jewellery may require re-stringing overtime.We can offer a quote of the cost of this outside of the first year warranty coverage.
