June’s Birthstones are Pearls and Alexandrites… Here is some folklore about Pearls
Organic gems, pearls are formed inside mollusks such as oysters and mussels when an irritant (such as some sand) gets into the mollusk’s shell. In defense, the mollusk coats the object with layers of nacre forming the pearl. The iridescent luster occurs from light reflecting on the overlapping layers in a process that can take up to seven or eight years. Pearls vary in color from white to pink, brown or black and the coloration depends on the type of mollusk and its habitat.
Treasured as a gem with the power of love, success, protection and luck, many cultures cherish pearls. Early Chinese myths claim that pearls come from the sky when dragons fought. Greeks believed they were tears from the gods and wearing them would promote marital bliss. According to Italian legend, the seven islands that make up the Tuscan archipelago were created when Venus broke her pearl necklace in the Tyrrhenian sea.
Hebrew legend claims that pearls were the tears of Eve upon being banished from Eden and Islamic tradition considers pearls to be one of the great rewards found in Paradise and a symbol of perfection. In an Indian myth, pearls are dewdrops from heaven, caught by shellfish at sunrise during a phase of the full moon. With the intent of unsuspectingly implementing a love potion, in the past pearls were powdered or dissolved in red wine to be administered to victims as love charms.
Pearls are sensitive to extreme heat, acids, dryness and humidity and should be stored in cold, dark places and handled with care. For more information on pearls and how to handle them, please feel free to call or email us.
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