Mysterious Pearls and Magical Moonstones
Mysterious Pearls
June birthdays are especially lucky! They not only get one amazing gemstone to celebrate their special month, but 2 incredible gems!
Pearls are some of my favorite gemstones! They come in such a wide array of colors, sizes and shapes! Their luster beats no other! Pearls have been revered for centuries as an adornment and are one of the best loved gems of all time. From Marie Antoinette’s famous Baroque pearl necklace (which recently sold at auction for an incredible $32 million and dates back to the 18th Century!!!), to several American First Ladies (Jackie Kennedy, Barbara Bush to name a few), were all known for their amazing pearls. It just goes to show that pearls have been revered and adored throughout the centuries!
Did you know that pearls come in a variety of colors? The palette of pearl colors extends to every hue from bright white pearls to deep, rich black pearls and everything in-between. Pearls derive their color from the color of the inside of the shell of the oyster. The outside body of the pearl is called “nacre” and it’s the protective coating that the oyster produces to protect itself from a foreign body that enters the shell. Pearls are one of the few “organic” gems. Meaning that they are derived from an animal, not a rock.
The nacre that covers a pearl is delicate, so care must be taken when cleaning and wearing pearls. Avoid ultrasonic machines and harsh cleaners. No abrasives!!!! A soft cloth and a little soap and water will work just fine to keep your pearls shiny!
Magical Moonstones
Many cultures associate the gem Moonstone with moonlight, and it’s easy to see why. The gem is reminiscent of the moon with its white milky color and the way the light scatters through the gemstone. Legends say moonstones bring good luck and that if you hold a moonstone in your mouth during a full moon, you will be able to see the future. I’ve never tried this…but hey…why not?
Moonstones are a hardy stone and are great for most jewelry. They hold up to normal wear well but can be prone to breaking along natural fracture lines in the stone, so care should be taken not to bang them up against a hard surface.
Moonstones have an effect within the stone called “Adularescence”. When light falls into the stone, the thin, flat layers scatter the light in many directions, causing an effect of motion within the stone. Adularescence causes the light to give a glowing appearance within the stone. (You can see the glow at the bottom of the moonstone in the pendant above).
When caring for your moonstone jewelry, warm, soapy water is always safe and best. Mild cleaners should be okay. Because of the many layers that comprise the stone, it’s best to avoid ultrasonics.
Pearls, the gem of the sea.
The sea evokes a sense of mystery and beauty. it’s calming waters can be stormy at times and provides a sense of passion and wonder to it’s observers. I miss the sea. The sound of the waves crashing in a steady rhythm, lulling one to sleep or to a sense of calm. Hopefully, soon, we can travel back to the ocean’s waters and enjoy the beaches again soon.
Pearls are the gemstone for the month of June. Pearls are one of the only gems that make their origin from the sea. Mother-of-pearl is the other one, and is usually gathered from the same shells we collect pearls from. The beautiful colors of the mother-of-pearl shells are the influence for the color of the pearl.
Pearls are one of a handful of gems that are organic in nature, meaning that they originate from a live organism, rather than inorganic, such as coming from not alive, such as rocks.
Pearls have a fascinating history. They were well regarded for their beauty, and valued much higher than diamonds for many, many years. Marie Antoinette’s famous baroque pearl earrings, recently came up for auction. They are large baroque pearls, and highly unusual and definitely beautiful! I suggest googling them to take a look!
We have a lot of pearl jewelry to choose from in our collections. Pearls have always been one of my favorite gems. They always seem to have a quiet beauty about them to me. They don’t sparkle as much as other gems, but have a rich color and depth of tone that draws you in. The range of colors is also fascinating. I love the dark pearls as much as the bright white. They all have beauty.
Because pearls are a natural gem and are created from the nacre of the mollusk, they do require some considerations when it comes to their wear and care. Pearls are not well suited for rings or bracelets unless the stone is well protected in the setting, such as a bezel setting. They are most ideally suited for necklace, earring and brooches. When it comes to cleaning your pearl jewelry, avoid harsh chemicals such as bleach or ammonia. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners as well. When storing your pearl jewelry, it is best to keep it in a soft cloth bag, away from other jewelry, especially diamonds, or harder gemstones, as they can be damaged when they make contact with those other gems.
All the best!
Chrissi