A pearl is a hard, generally spherical object produced within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living shelled mollusk. Just like the shell of a mollusk, a pearl is made up of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric layers. Pearls are formed inside the shell of certain mollusks: as a defense mechanism to a potentially threatening irritant such as a parasite inside its shell, the mollusk creates a pearl to seal off the irritation. The mantle of the mollusk deposits layers of calcium carbonate in the form of the mineral aragonite or a mixture of aragonite and calcite held together by an organic horn-like compound called conchiolin. The combination of aragonite and conchiolin is called nacre, which makes up mother-of-pearl.
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Natural pearls occur in the wild, but they are very rare. Cultured or farmed pearls from pearl oysters make up the majority of those that are currently sold. The difference between natural and cultured pearls focuses on whether the pearl was created spontaneously by nature – without human intervention – or with human aid.
Black pearls, frequently referred to as Black Tahitian Pearls, are highly valued because of their rarity; the culturing process for them dictates a smaller volume output and can never be mass produced.
Pearls are extremely sensitive, so don't expose your pearls to soap or detergent, it will damage their luster. The largest pearl known was found in the Philippines in 1934. The pearl weighs 6.4 kg and was called Pearl of Lao-Tzu.
The pearl relaxes the mind, increases patience. It will protect you from fire, give you a long healthy life and strength. They promote antibodies and fight infection, and give you emotional balance and stability. It can help lung infections and colds.
The pearl is recomended for the following Zodiac signs: Cancer and Pisces.
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Pearl
