Let's Talk Pearls: Myth, Symbolism, and Technical Facts

Dear Readers,

we delve into a topic around which many legends and misconceptions abound, and together we will try to address them all. Let's talk about pearls: we will understand what they are, the right way to care for them, and the characteristics that determine their beauty and value. But that’s not all; as I mentioned, we will also debunk some myths related to them.

Let's start with the first, fundamental question: what is a pearl? Pearls are composed of calcium carbonate in a crystalline form produced by the living tissues of mollusks. But if they are produced by bivalve mollusks, how does the process of pearl creation occur?

For an oyster to begin the process of creating a pearl, a foreign body must enter its cavity. In fact, to defend its internal tissues from the invader, the oyster starts producing layers of nacre, calcium, and other materials to isolate it. The layer of nacre, which is fundamental in determining the value of a pearl, is something we will return to later.

This layering process, which is simply a defense mechanism of the oyster, gives rise to our beloved pearl. Now let’s talk about the characteristics that determine the value of a pearl, namely:

- Luster

- Nacre: as previously mentioned, nacre is the layer of mother-of-pearl created by the mollusk during the pearl’s layering process. The thicker this layer, the higher the value.

- Surface: the smoother and more flawless, the more appreciated.

- Shape: the rounder, the higher its value.

- Color: a white/cream color with a rosy hue is highly desirable, while a yellowish tint will decrease the pearl's value.

- Diameter: this characteristic goes hand in hand with the others. A pearl is not valuable just because it is large, but a pearl with many positive characteristics and considerable size will have a higher value.

Now let's address another frequently asked question: is it true that pearls die? Yes, dear readers, pearls are organic material and as such, require certain conditions to stay alive and healthy. In fact, a pearl contains about 4% water inside, and this percentage must be maintained. Otherwise, the pearl can dehydrate and eventually die. Be very careful, because this "death" is an irreversible process, and pearls left neglected can gradually and then permanently lose their beautiful characteristics.

How to take care of your pearls? The best and simplest way to care for our pearls is to wear them: they nourish through osmosis, so contact with our skin provides them with nourishment and hydration. To clients who don’t usually wear pearls or don't feel comfortable with them, I suggest wearing them at night. It might sound funny, but trust me, it's extremely effective! Generally, however, I advise storing your pearls in not-too-hot and dry places and not leaving them exposed to direct light.

Finally, I promised at the beginning that I would debunk the myth around pearls, and that’s what I will do now, starting with a question: is it true that pearls bring bad luck? Dear readers, I am very pleased to once and for all refute the idea that pearls bring bad luck. But where does this belief come from? It originated in distant Japan, where pearl divers embarked on dangerous missions to find these precious sea gems. Pearls were found at great depths, and the search exposed the poor divers, who lacked adequate safety measures at the time, to dangers that often led to their deaths. The wives of these unfortunate men were thus doomed to wait in vain for their return and associated pearls with the tragic end of their loved ones.

From this arose the false belief that pearls are unlucky and should not be given as gifts. I want to tell you instead that it is a good omen for the bride to be given pearls by her mother or mother-in-law on her wedding day. Not only do their colors symbolize the bride's purity and innocence, but they also signify a welcome into the new life the bride embarks on that day.

Dear readers, our brief journey into the world of pearls has come to an end. I hope I have piqued your curiosity and answered some questions!