Lustrous and iridescent, the opulent Pearl Stone (Moti in Hindi) is an organic gemstone that has been around for thousands of years. Eternally beautiful, these sophisticated roundels promote wisdom and are formed of calcium carbonate and nacre. Admired for their soft, feminine colors, these gems take years to form within a mollusk and are delicately extracted, revealing some of the most beautiful lustrous beads known to man.
| Color: | Creamy white to creamy with a hint of yellow and pink. |
|---|---|
| Finger: | Worn on the little finger of the dominant hand, with the gemstone touching the body. |
| Neck: | Worn as a pendant, with the gemstone touching the body. |
| Metal: | Yellow gold and silver make a great combination with the warm notes of the pearl. |
| Zodiac Sign: | Cancer. |
A pearl's nearly spherical shape is what adds charm and value to each gemstone. Every pearl so different in shape and form gives a sense of uniqueness when set in a piece of jewelry. Birthstone for the month of June, these organic pearls are a coveted gemstone represented by the Moon bringing about a surreal calmness. Allowing one's creative side to run free, the pearl is also thought to be a gemstone that brings emotional stability.
Symbolic of purity and loyalty, the luminous appearance of the pearl is what connects this organic gemstone to the ocean and the moon. Linked to many folklore, pearls have been noted to have a positive effect on energies, health and wealth. Birthstone for the month of June, pearls are one of the world’s most popular gems.
Once extracted, a pearl must be processed for its luster to come alive. Loved by Maharajas and royalty alike, the pearls quality standards must be met before the gemstone is put out on the market.
A pearls quality is dependent on a number of factors:
Size: Measured in millimeters, the size of the pearl is recorded by its length and width. A medium-sized gem measuring 7mm to 15mm is popularly demanded.
Shape: Although available in a range of different shapes (irregular shapes, symmetrical, and even drops), the most popular and valuable are round pearl beads or round pearls.
Color: The color of a pearl is dependent on the mollusk. With warm creamy yellows, pinks, and oranges, a pearl also comes in cooler-toned blues, greens, and violets. The most desirable, however, is creamy pearls boasting an overtone of pinks or yellows with a visible rainbow-like orient (sheen).
Nacre: The pearls nacre is essentially everything we find charming about the pearl. This satin-like appearance that has a rainbow sheen that shines through must be clean and free from surface irregularities.
Luster: Luster is the luminescence seen that is reflected from the pearl. Pearls with almost translucent nacres reveal the best and most desirable luster seen in a Moti.
An organic
gemstone, pearls are meticulously formed by mollusks and lie at 2.5 - 4.5 on
the Moh’s scale of hardness. Known for their delicate nature, pearls must
not come in contact with chemicals, perfumes, detergents, etc as it can wear
away the layers of nacre that form the natural coating of the gem. However
keeping this in mind, Pearls (Moti) are a favorite of women and
men globally. Their soft tones and lustrous appearance are popular in
jewelry but must be worn with caution.
Natural saltwater pearls, South Sea pearls, and Basra pearls although available even to this date are increasingly rare and often sold at auctions for their skyrocketing prices.
Most of the pearls on the market today are a result of pearl farming also called cultured pearls. For gems used in astrology, cultured pearls in the Mabé variety (semi-spherical pearls), Tahitian pearls (dark, greyish purple pearls) and South Sea (peachy, sunny colored pearls) are a popular choices..
The price of a Cultured Pearl (Moti stone) can range from INR 500
($6.16) to 1.5 lahks ($615.032) per carat, depending on its origins and quality
factors.
Shape: Perfectly round pearls that are difficult to culture tend to command higher prices, as it is in fact the rarest shape. Most pearls come with little variations as they are formed naturally by the mollusk
Color: Creamy pearls with an overtone of a pinkish or orangish hue are desirable and command the highest prices as with cultured Tahitian pearls (pearls that are from in the Pinctada Margaritifera oyster, producing darker, charcoal like pearly colors), and cultured South Sea pearls (pearls that form in the Pinctada Maxima oyster, producing white and golden pearly colors).
Nacre: A good nacre contributes to a good luster and in turn a better uniform pearl, thereby demanding higher values.
Caring for your Pearl is imperative. Gemstones over time tend to attract dirt and grime and need an occasional bath.
When wearing pearl jewelry always keep these factors in mind:.
Allow the gem to touch the skin
Pearls must never come in contact with chemicals like perfume and detergents
Pearls should never be stored in extremely dark, dry environments, as the pearl can be leached of its moisture and crack.
A safe way to clean your Pearl jewelry is:
Bowl is to catch gemstones that might come out of their setting but can be returned to the jeweler to be reset.
Do not use any harsh chemicals, not even soap.
Jewelry pieces set with enamel and Kundan work should never be washed or put into an ultrasonic machine.
Pearl
stone also known as Moti, South sea pearl, Basra pearl, Mukta, Sacha
moti
Pearl is known for its calming energies that alleviate anger. Represented by the Moon, Pearls have a feminine, creamy aura about them.
