Pearl Gemstone Symbolism Facts & Meaning: Zodiac, Superstitions, Dreams, and Legends
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Pearl Gemstone Facts and History
Unlike most gems that are formed from rocks and minerals, Pearl gemstones are an organic creation found in the sea. They are formed inside mollusk shells as part of a natural defense mechanism. When a particle like sand or a parasite enters the shell, the mollusk produces a protective coating called nacre. This coating accumulates in layers and eventually becomes a Pearl. Pearls contain various colors, depending on the type of mollusk and the water they inhabit. It can go from white or pink, to brown, blue, gold or black.
As Pearls are organic and delicate, their sensitivity to external factors are intense such that they can be damaged by extreme heat, acids, dryness, and humidity. Moreover, they are relatively soft, ranking between 2.5 and 4.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, so they need protection from excessive wear.
Pearls have a long and storied history dating back to ancient times, prized for their rarity and beauty. The oldest Pearl jewelry discovered was found in the tomb of a Persian princess who died in 520 BC. Only the wealthiest nobles could afford natural Pearls, which were incredibly scarce throughout history. However, in the early 1900s, the first commercial culturing of saltwater Pearls began in Asia, making Pearls more accessible. Since then, cultured Pearls have become a popular alternative to natural Pearls in the market. This has made the timeless gemstone much more affordable for a wider range of budgets.
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Pearl Gemstone Uses
Pearl Gemstones are commonly used in jewelry and adornments. In ancient times, Pearls were so famous to rich nobles that they even adorn their tombs with such treasured gems. Pearls are also used in decorative items, like brooches and hairpins, and in clothing, such as on wedding dresses.
Additionally, being a valuable and renewable resource, the Pearl’s adductor muscle is edible and used in cuisine worldwide. While the shell is often crafted into simple jewelry, furniture, and decorative items, the Pearl oyster shell is increasingly recognized for its health benefits. Historically, the nacre was commonly used to make buttons, leading to the development of shell collecting industries.
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Pearl Gemstone Spiritual Meaning and Symbolism
Pearls have been associated with various symbolisms, but they’re often regarded as a symbol of purity, innocence, as well as loyalty. They can also represent wisdom gained through experience, bringing a sense of calmness, balance, and harmony to the wearer.
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Pearl Gemstone Symbolism of Different Shapes and Forms
Different shapes and forms of Pearls carry unique symbolisms. Baroque Pearls, known for their irregular shape, are believed to promote success by imparting wisdom and ability to the wearer. Black Pearls are said to ward off negative energy and evil spirits, while white Pearls symbolize purity and are considered a valuable healing gemstone.
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Pearl Gemstone Symbolism in Different Cultures
Ancient Vedic texts state that Pearls are created through a combination of the Earth’s waters and heavenly powers, fertilized by a flash of lightning. They are also considered the daughter of the Moon. In Western cultures, Pearls are linked with the planet Venus in astrology, and just like the goddess of love, they are believed to come from the sea. In Ancient Greece, they believed that wearing Pearls could prevent newlywed women from crying and promote marital bliss.
Additionally, in Taoism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, the “flaming Pearl” is a symbol of inner wisdom that strengthens our connection with the divine energies of the cosmos. In Christian tradition, Pearls are linked with the kingdom of heaven, as mentioned in the parable, “the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking goodly Pearls.”
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Pearl Gemstone in Combination with other Gems
Pearls are often combined with other gemstones for their aesthetic appeal, balance, and symbolism. When paired with diamonds, which represent strength, purity, love, and eternity, it reinforces the Pearl’s properties of luck, chastity, and innocence, making it an ideal choice for bridal jewelry. However, if paired with emerald, it is believed to bring negative energy, indicating potential financial loss or health issues for the wearer.
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Pearl Gemstone Birthstone and Zodiac Sign
Pearl is the birthstone for the month of June, alongside Alexandrite and Moonstone. It is also associated with the zodiac signs Cancer and Gemini.
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Pearl Gemstone in Dreams
The most common interpretation in dreaming of Pearl Gemstones is good luck, which means success is on the way. However, it can have various spiritual interpretations.
Initially, it could mean spiritual awakening and enlightenment that the dreamer strives to know within himself. On some, it could mean pursuits where a dreamer holds greater value in their waking life such as beauty, wisdom, or transformation. On the other hand, it can be a warning about unresolved issues that need to be addressed for true inner peace.
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Pearl Gemstone Omens and Superstitions
According to old stories, Pearls are seen as a symbol of tears. This means that if a bride wears Pearls on her wedding day, it is believed that she will have a sad marriage. Moreover, the quantity of Pearls on a string could be a sign of how many tears a bride will shed or how many unhappy years she may face in her marriage.
In addition, there is a superstition that giving Pearls as gifts can bring bad luck and great sadness to the wearer. To avoid such, some believe that the recipient should give the giver a small amount of money, making it seem like a purchase rather than a gift to remove the curse and ensure good luck and happiness for the wearer.
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Pearl Gemstone Mythology and Folklore
In Japanese folklore, Pearls were believed to be the tears of mythical creatures like mermaids, nymphs, and even angels. More likely so in ancient Greece where it was thought that Pearls were the tears of the gods.
Moreover, according to a Persian legend, Pearls were formed when a rainbow met the earth after a storm. It is said that the thunder and lightning during the storm caused imperfections in the appearance of Pearls. Tahitian mythology also tells a story of Oro, the god of peace and fertility, who descended from the heavens on a rainbow to present a magical oyster to the princess Bora Bora. Inside the oyster was a black Pearl, which Oro gave to the princess as a symbol of his love.
