Pearls are beautiful gems, but what makes them so special? Pearls are considered some of the most beautiful in the world and are noted for their luster and uniqueness. The beauty of these pearls goes deeper than their appearance, though Australian pearls also have different colors and meanings attached to them, which makes them even more special.
In this article, we’ll discuss pearls’ most common colors and what they mean. If you’re planning on purchasing a pearl at https://pearlsofaustralia.com.au/ this article will come in handy when you’re trying to find the right one!
What are pearls?
Pearls are a type of gemstone that comes from mollusks living in saltwater. The most popular pearl-producing mollusk is the oyster, which can produce pearls for up to 15 years before it dies. Once harvested, pearls are typically given to loved ones or friends as gifts. When giving them as gifts, it’s traditional to attach a string on the outside edge of the pearl so they can be worn around the neck or wrist.
In some cultures, it’s a tradition for an engaged woman to wear a string of pearls on her wedding day. According to legend, the pearl symbolizes innocence and purity because of its colorless luster. It also represents modesty because it reflects light without any glare.
As for why pearls come in many different colors? There are two main theories about this
- One is that different water temperatures create different hues (cooler water creates white or cream-colored pearls while warmer water produces pinkish pearls).
- Another theory states that when other minerals enter the oyster environment, such as copper sulfate crystals known as cuprous chloride, the natural calcium carbonate turns into black copper carbonate when it comes into contact with oxygen, this process turns a white or cream-colored pearl into one with hints of reds, blues, greens, etc.
Pink, rose, white, black, yellow
Pearls can be classified as pink, rose, white, black, or yellow. While this is a basic understanding of their colors there are many hues of pearls that are not discussed. Colorless pearls in particular have a wide variety from milky white to almost see-through. Sometimes the colorless pearl has an interesting effect that can change how they look according to lighting or reflection.
Pink pearls are traditionally associated with calmness, love, beauty, and success. In contrast to this meaning, black pearls typically represent mystery or death due to their dark hue which is often starkly juxtaposed against pure whites and light pinks. There are also green pearls, which signify eternal life and prosperity. There’s no telling what might happen to the prices for these different types of pearls in the future, but it’s clear that there’s plenty to think about before you buy!
How are they made?
Pearls are created by oysters to help them protect themselves from foreign objects. Oysters create a pearl as a form of protection and often expel it when the object that provoked its creation is removed. This characteristic has given pearl culture an interesting, self-correcting aspect. Pearl jewelry comes in a variety of colors with white being the most popular due to its versatility with other gems and looks classic with any outfit or occasion.
What’s the best way to care for pearls?
Pearls are cultured products, making them vulnerable to care problems. Protect your pearls from sweat by wearing them after showering or cleaning your teeth. Cleanse the pearls with salt water every few months, but don’t rub them too much to avoid damage. Avoid exposing pearls to household cleaners, hairspray, and perfume when possible.
When storing your jewelry for travel or bedtime, store each piece in a separate compartmentalized bag that limits the contact between various types of metals (gold’s acidic compounds can react negatively with silver) or other gemstones (diamonds can scratch gemstones).
To clean freshwater pearls, soak them in lukewarm water and mild soap for five minutes, and rinse thoroughly with cold water. To clean Tahitian pearls, soak them in lukewarm soapy water for about 20 minutes; rinse thoroughly with cold water.
How do pearls get their color?
Pearl color can be broken down into four broad categories: Natural, Shell, Imitation, and Faux. Understanding their differences is essential to determine which type you may want to buy or wear. Natural pearls occur when a foreign object inside an oyster reacts with the oyster’s nacre over time. The oysters are usually about two inches long.
They take about one to three years for the pearl to grow and then it is harvested by inserting a tool through the oyster’s natural opening. Natural pearls vary in shade depending on the type of mineral that resides in their environment such as aragonite, calcite, moonstone, selenite etcetera.
How do I identify imitation pearls?
To identify if your pearl is dyed or an imitation (fake), take a pair of dark sunglasses and hold them up to the pearl. Dyed pearls will appear clear or cloudy whereas natural ones will appear dark because they’ll reflect light from the sunglasses. If you can’t see through your pearl it’s probably a fake.
Why aren’t there more colors of pearls?
White pearls are the most popular pearls on the market. This is not a bad thing, as they have been associated with elegance and purity throughout history. There are also black, yellow, pink, purple, and green pearlescent white pearls. They are rare but they offer an interesting take on the traditional pearl color palette.
They are often sought after by those who like to mix it up a bit or make their pearls stand out from the rest. You can find all of these colors in various size varieties too, which makes them even more appealing. Pink and purple pearls may be found in both freshwater and saltwater varieties while green pearls typically come from saltwater only.
Yellow pearls are usually found in freshwater only while black is always in saltwater. White is typically found in both freshwater and saltwater varieties though you might find other colors mixed into the pearl’s nacreous coating when it has been exposed to other substances during its growth process.
Conclusion
To summarize, true or natural pearls are caused by an irritation response in a mollusk, while cultured pearls come from human intervention. The color varies based on where they come from, with south sea pearls having many colors that range from white to silver to gold. Check out https://pearlsofaustralia.com.au/ if you are looking for a new piece of jewelry for yourself.
