The pearl—the only gem produced by a living animal—has long carried a certain allure. Yet the best mollusc for making this gem—the pearl oyster—doesn't always produce a pearl, and even then, the pearls are rarely perfectly round. This makes the pearls so rare and desirable.
Pearls symbolize love, success, and happiness.
Pearl Birthstone
Pearl and cultured pearl along with alexandrite and moonstone are birthstones of Gemini (Twins): May 21 - June 21.
Wedding Anniversaries
Freshwater Pearls is the anniversary gemstone for the 1st, 12th and 30th year of marriage.
Caring for Your Pearls
Genuine freshwater pearls are more fragile than most other gemstones, so you must handle them carefully to keep them in the best condition.
Your pearls will stay cleaner if you put them on after you've applied your makeup and perfume.
Be sure to take off your pearl rings before you apply hand and body creams.
Wipe your pearls with a soft, lint-free cloth as soon as you take them off. The cloth can be dampened with water or it can be dry. If damp, allow the pearls to air dry before putting them away.
Dirty pearls can be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution (try Ivory flakes).
Never clean your pearls with solutions that contain ammonia or harsh detergents.
Don't put pearl jewellery in an ultrasonic cleaner.
Don't use abrasive cleaners or rub pearls with abrasive cloth. Both can wear away the nacre coating, leaving you with a plain looking bead.
Storing Pearls
Don't store your pearls with other jewellery, because they can be scratched easily when metal or gemstones rub against them. Find a special slot in your jewellery box for the pearls, or keep them in a soft bag made from chamois or another non-abrasive material.
