 |
Pearl
Chemical Formula: Contains nearly 92% calcium carbonate (CaCO3) held together by conchiolin 6% and has 2% water.
Mineral Name: Pearl
Color: Pink, cream, gold, black, and white
Hardness: 3.0- 4.0
Specific Gravity: 2.60 - 2.78
Pearl is a smooth, lustrous, variously colored deposit, chiefly calcium carbonate, formed around a grain of sand or other foreign matter in the shells of certain mollusks. Highly valued as the most famed gemstone, pearl is recognized for its beauty and elegance. Pearl is a pathological formation in pearl oyster, formed due to the entrance of a foreign particle into the gap between the body and the shell of the pearl oyster. The irritation caused by the foreign particle makes the oyster take out a secretion to cover the particle. This when dried, again creates irritation to the animal, so it covers it with its secretion again- the continuous process continues for 3 to 6 years to produce a precious pearl.
Natural pearls have a surface appearance - which is lustrous and looks precious. When viewed under magnification it contains discontinuous wavy lines. They are used to make beautiful jewelry items, in decorative items and various other handicrafts. Pearl is found in the regions of Japan, China, Tahiti, Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, USA and Burma.
