Pearl, one of nature's most captivating gifts, has been a symbol of elegance and beauty throughout almost every era of humanity. The formation of pearls, which is quite unique, involves a laborious process.
How is a Pearl Formed? Formation Process and Stages
The formation of a pearl encompasses a process that takes very long periods of time. The formation process of pearls, where nature displays all its splendor, occurs in the following stages:
Initiation
- A pearl is a precious stone formed in mollusks such as oysters and mussels. For the formation process to begin, it is necessary for a grain of sand, a parasite, or a similar foreign matter to enter the shell of the mollusk.
Formation Process
- The foreign matter entering the mollusk begins to irritate its soft tissues. As a result of this irritation, the defense mechanisms of the mollusk come into play. As a defense mechanism, the mollusk secretes a layer made of aragonite crystals, also known as "nacre."
This layer made of aragonite crystals envelops the foreign matter inside the mollusk over time. As a result of this process, which sometimes continues for years, the pearl, which we use in jewelry today and where we can see the beauty of nature in the best way, emerges. - Just as the formation of pearls is a laborious process, the more layers there are on a pearl, the more valuable it becomes. Pearls can emerge not only in the sea and ocean but also in freshwater bodies.
Each pearl, due to the uniqueness of its formation process, has its own color, size, and shape. While white is the first color that comes to mind when it comes to pearls, it is also possible to come across pearls in colors such as pink, cream, gold, and even black.
Pearls are a more delicate stone than one might think. Due to its susceptibility to scratches compared to other precious stones, its care must be done correctly. Keeping it away from chemicals, perfume, and prolonged exposure to sunlight will help the pearl maintain its brilliance and splendor forever.