A pearl is a small shiny white ball that develops inside the shell of an oyster/ mollusk and is one of the most valuable gem-like soft stones, usually used in jewelry and in some cases in medicine. Large and perfectly shaped pearls are very costly and dear. They grade and rank in value and price with the most precious and expensive gems. Nevertheless, there are key differences between a pearl and a gem. Most gems are minerals that are extracted and lifted from underneath the earth. Gems include diamonds, emeralds, opals, and rubies, as well as laboratory-grown gems and other artificially created imitations. When mined and extracted, most natural gems /gemstones have a rough surface and irregular shape. Skilled gems cutters then cut and polish the gemstones to increase their beauty and luster. Gems minerals are found in a variety of geological environments. Some gems, such as peridots and some diamonds, occur in igneous rocks, which are formed by the cooling of hot, melted material. Despite that, pearls are not minerals nor extracted from any mine. Pearls grow and mature inside the shells of oysters. Mineral gems are hard and they usually reflect light. However, pearls are rather soft, and they absorb, as well as reflect light. The finest quality of natural pearls has been highly valued as gems /gemstones and objects of beauty for many centuries. Because of its high value and exquisite beauty, pearls have become something rare, fine, admirable and precious.
Pearls have some own typical traits, qualities and characteristics. The characteristics include internal layer structures or views, colors, shapes, blemishes, matching pearls and values. When a pearl is cut or sectioned in two and examined under a powerful microscope, the layers inside the pearl can be seen as a complete circle around the central substance. The cut pearl looks like a cut or sliced onion. The layers inside the pearl are made of aragonite, small crystals of mineral substance. These small mineral crystals overlap and break up any light that falls on them into little rainbows of color. This rainbow of color of the pearl is otherwise called iridescence which jewelers call orient.
Pearls may be of different colors and shapes. They may be of black, cream, gold, orange, pink and white colors. However, black pearls are really a dark grey. They are the most valuable of all pearls.
The shape of a pearl is as important as its color. The value and price of pearls depend on their shapes. Different shapes have different values. However, round pearls are the most valuable and expensive because round pearls are suitable for making necklaces. Next to round pearls in value and cost come the button-shaped and dropped-shaped pearls. These pearls are usually used for making ear rings. From the viewpoint of matching, matched pairs of the pearls are even more valuable than pairs of unmatched single ones. Some pearls are irregular in shapes, these pearls are called baroques. These baroques are less valuable and costly than other pearls. Pearls may be made by a kind of snail called an abalone. These kinds of pearls have wonderful color, lustre and shine but they are almost not uniform or regular in shape.
Pearls which have blemished layers are called blemished pearls. These blemished layers of pearls can be removed or scraped away if the blemishes are not so deep. However, the work can be done by specially trained workers who are called peelers. They clean and scrape away the blemishes and the pearls look perfect and brilliant. This pearl is like the original one and is very costly and expensive.
We find that pearls are very beneficial and salutary to our life and health in various ways. Some of the benefits and goodness of pearls and pearl powder for health, body and mind are as follows:
Health benefits of pearl power: The benefits of pearl power have been known since ancient civilization. According to medical books of the Ming dynasty, pearl power was used even by the emperors and empresses of the ancient times to stimulate new skin growth and healing release of toxin and sun damages of skin. Francis Bacon recommended it as a means of promoting and prolonging life. Besides these, pearls have many other uses for good health.
Pearls help promote, prolong and extend life: Various studies have shown that pearl power stimulates the production of antioxidants (substances or agents that prevent or inhibit oxidation and that may protect cells from the damaging effects of oxygen radicals, highly reactive chemicals that play a part in atherosclerosis, some forms of cancers and reperfusion injuries) such as super oxide dismutase (SOD) and glutamine. Pearl power also produces biochemicals. Antioxidants and biochemicals have direct connection to prolong longevity and overall good health. Antioxidants help reverse disease, aid DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) found in nucleus of cell for protection and repair. Various components of pearl power affect DNA and RNA (ribonucleic acid) found throughout the cell for metabolic activities and can help cell renewal and regrowth. Thus, the use of pearl powder may enhance and promote the lifespan of human beings.
Pearl powder nourishes skin and regenerates bones: The scientific study has shown that pearl power contains a special substance called ‘nacre’ which is capable and competent to cause regeneration and rebirth of fibroblasts and osteoblasts which help form and develop new skin, collagen cells which restore a youthful glow to skin and reduce wrinkles, creases, folds, sun damages, signs of aging and make the skin tight, smooth, flawless, radiant and beautiful. Osteoblasts are stem cells which help strengthen bones.
Soothing and moisturizing: Pearls raise and promote Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) level in the brain and body, calm down and soothe the nervous system, relieve a person of stress, anxiety, and promote and induce deeper sleep. Pearls also stimulate various receptors and produce serotonin in the body and soothe and moisturize body.
Pearls energize and activate mind: A pearl is believed to be our body energy that regulates the mind, emotions, body temperature and heart beats and keeps our body cool. It harmonizes and strengthens energy and expands our consciousness. It soothes and leads to deep feeling of inner peace and produces and enhances meditation. It gives spiritual capacity and enlightenment.
Pearl powder improves and promotes intelligence and brainpower: It is believed that pearl powder leaves deep impact on our mind and brain. After study and research, the scientists of China found that pearl power could promote and improve the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) of children. In experiments conducted on children by giving them pearl power daily for three months, 92% children showed improvement in IQ.
Mineral and nutrient values: Pearl power is a good source of calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and traces of copper, selenium, silicon, strontium and titanium. It also supplies amino acids that are vitally needed for the body and mind.
Previously, natural pearls were found in many parts of the world. Present day natural pearling is confined mostly to seas off Bahrain. Australia also has one of the world's last remaining fleets of pearl diving ships.
(To be continued)
The writer is a former Joint Secretary to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and regular contributor to Bangladesh Post
