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Jamming Gems Pearl Info
Pearls
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General Information:
Pearls have been a valued in history for longer than any other gem. Pearls are
a very unique and interesting gem. They are the only gemstone grown inside of a
living organism. Pearls are formed in oysters or mollusks when a foreign
substance, generally a parasite, enters inside the shell and reaches the soft
mantle tissue. The mantle's epithelial cells form what is known as the pearl
sac in response to the irritation. The pearl sac secretes a crysalline
substance called nacre, which is the same substance that makes up the interior
of the shell, eventually, it builds up layers surrounding the irritant and
therefore forms the pearl. Natural pearls are rare, and are normally irregular
in shape, keeping the shape of the original irritant. Finding a round natural
pearl is very rare.
Pearls began being produced artificially in the early 20th century by Japanese
researchers. This method involves placing a foreign substance or nucleus into
the tissues of the oyster or mollusk, and returning it back into the ocean.
These pearls are developed naturally after placing the substance into the
oyster or mollusk, but they are given the name cultured pearls. Kokichi
Mikimoto was credited for perfecting a technique to artificially develop round
pearls in akoya mollusks, getting a patent for this process in 1916. Since then
this technique has been altered and improved and is now used on freshwater,
Tahitian, and South Sea pearls. Finding natural pearls today is rare, although
they are still available they are very expensive, and a cultured pearl is a
great alternative with equal quality. |
Origin:
Pearls originate from oysters and mollusks, forming from a parasite entering
the shell. |
Common Treatments and Lab Created
Forms:
Pearls are dyed to change the color of them. There is no lab form of a pearl.
Cultured pearls are an alternative to natural, but are still grown in a similar
environment and in the same way they would occur in nature except the parasite
is placed in the host instead of it occuring naturally. There are also
simulants available, these are not grown naturally in any way and can even be
made from plastic. |
Physical Properties:
Moh's Scale Hardness: 2.5-4.5
Specific Gravity: 2.6 - 2.78
Refractive Index: 1.53 - 1.69
Colors: a variety of colors most commonly; white, cream, pink/peach, and
gray. |
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