Pearl
What is Pearl?
Pearl is an organic gemstone produced within the soft tissue of a living shelled mollusk. It’s primarily found in the oceans, freshwater lakes, and rivers. Pearls have been treasured for their lustrous, creamy texture and subtle iridescent reflections since the dawn of humankind.
Pearl is a unique gemstone that is produced by shelled mollusks, primarily oysters. Its lustrous appearance and creamy texture make it a popular choice for jewelry, especially necklaces and earrings.
| Chemical Classification | Organic - Calcium carbonate (from mollusks) |
| Color | White, cream, golden, green, black, rose, among others. |
| Streak | White |
| Luster | Deep, radiant shine. |
| Transparency | Generally opaque. |
| Occurrence | Australia, French Polynesia, China. |
| Formation | Form inside mollusks as a defense mechanism against irritants, coated with layers of nacre. |
| Diaphaneity | Opaque with luster |
| Cleavage | None |
| Mohs Hardness | 2.5 to 4.5. |
| Specific Gravity | 2.6 to 2.78. |
| Diagnostic Properties | Lustrous, often round, formed in mollusks. |
| Chemical Composition | CaCO3 |
| Pleochroism | Do not exhibit pleochroism. |
| Crystal System | Organic, not applicable |
| Optical Properties | Isotropic (due to its organic nature) |
| Refractive Index | 1.530 - 1.685 |
| Birefringence | None (isotropic due to organic nature) |
| 2V angle | Not applicable (isometric) |
| Dispersion | Not applicable. |