Gemstones: Pearls

A new French luxury jewelry brand opened recently in the Middle East, Mauboussin, with two branches in Lebanon (one in ABC Dbayeh and the second in ABC Achrafieh).

I have been checking their ads on the roads, their Facebook page, twitter and Instagram account and it made me fall more and more in love with the world of gemstones and unique jewelry.

I’m gonna introduce in my post today the “Pearl”

Why have I chosen “Pearl” in specific?

Pearl for me is a delicate soft stone, yet it can be worn on a daily basis and you would still have a simple style.

And more specifically, because “Pearls” are considered the least understood of all gemstones, not all sales persons in jewelry stores have proper information about them. So i said to myself, it’s time to have a small research and learn all the basics about them.

Physical Properties

The unique luster of “Pearls” depends upon the reflection, refraction, and diffraction of light from the translucent layers. The thinner and more numerous the layers in the pearl, the finer the luster. The iridescence that pearls display is caused by the overlapping of successive layers, which breaks up light falling on the surface. In addition, pearls (especially cultured freshwater pearls) can be dyed yellow, green, blue, brown, pink, purple, or black. The very best pearls have a metallic mirror-like luster.

 Different types of Pearls

There are two basic varieties of cultured pearls; freshwater and saltwater. Freshwater pearls are grown primarily in man-made lakes and reservoirs in China. Saltwater pearls, which include Akoya, Tahitian and South Sea, are grown in bays, inlets and atolls in many places around the world. Saltwater pearls are considered more valuable than freshwater pearls, although rare and very high-quality freshwater pearls can be exceedingly valuable.

Pearl Symbolism

Pearls symbolize Purity, Spiritual Transformation, Charity, Honesty, Wisdom and Integrity, all the best within us. Pearls provide a clear vehicle for the advancing states of wisdom, as well as a clean channel for receipt of spiritual guidance. Pearls can stimulate your femininity and help with self acceptance. They lift your spirits and make you feel calm and beautiful. They remind us to walk with Dignity.

Since ancient times, the pearl has been a symbol of unblemished perfection. It is the oldest known gem, and for centuries it was considered the most valuable. A fragment of the oldest known pearl jewelry, found in the sarcophagus of a Persian princess who died in 520 BC, is displayed in the Louvre in Paris. To the ancients, pearls were a symbol of the moon and had magical powers. In classical Rome, only persons above a certain rank were allowed to wear pearl jewelry. The Latin word for pearl literally means “unique”, attesting to the fact that no two pearls are identical.

June Birthstone

For those who were born in the month of June, the Pearl is their traditional birthstone.

“Who comes with summer to this Earth

And owes to June her hour of birth

A pearl should wear against her skin

Who’s innocence many at heart shall win”

The June birthstone poem reflects some of the properties for the June birthstone Pearl, as modesty, chastity and purity.

 Pearl care

Pearls are the world’s only organic gemstone, and therefore, tend to be quite delicate. Proper care of your pearl jewelry is essential to ensure your investment will last a lifetime. Personal care products, such as perfume or hairspray, can severely damage the luster and beauty of a pearl.

Here are my favorite items with Pearls from Mauboussin 

“Perle D’or Mon Amour” ring

this magnificent piece is made of yellow gold, gold pearl symbol of ebergy, white diamonds pavé and cognac diamonds

And the “Perle Caviar” ring

this unique piece is made of white gold, grey cultured pearl symbol of rareness, black and white diamond pavé.

I hope my post wasn’t too long and boring, and stay tuned for more gemstones…

Tagged: ABC Mall, China, Cultured freshwater pearls, Cultured pearl, France, French, Gemstones, honesty, integrity, Jewelry, June, Lebanon, Mauboussin, Middle East, Pearl, rings, Saltwater pearls, wisdom