Pearl Gemstone Symbolism
Pearl gemstones have a natural place in the feminine world. It has its origin in the water. The round shape has it connected to the moon.
The pearl gemstone represents purity and love in every sense of the word.
In addition, pearls represent hidden wisdom, patience and peace.
Pearl gems have been a sign of wealth throughout the ages.
In China, they said pearl gemstones had the power to grant wishes.
In Chinese Taoist symbolism a dragon guards the Flaming Pearl. This pearl represents spiritual perfection.
Pearl – Birthstone of June
Pearl is the birthstone of June. In Great Britain Moonstone is an alternative birthstone for June.
In The U.S. both Moonstone and Alexandrite are alternative birthstones for the month of June.
You can choose your favorite.
The pearl is the gemstone of the 3rd and 30th anniversary.
Color Meaning of the Pearl gemstone
Pearls come in different colors. Each color symbolizes a different meaning.
The blue pearl is linked to love.
The brown pearl is for protection.
The pink pearl promotes fame and success.
Black pearls enhance wealth. This is the color to wear if you want to feel rich and attract prosperity.
The white pearl is a symbol of beauty, purity and new beginnings. This is perfect for just about any day.
The new day is a fresh start granting you wonderful new possibilities.
Margarete
The female name Margarete means pearl. It comes from several sources: Persian “Morvared”, in French Marguerite.
We also find the same meaning in Latin: Margarita and in the Greek form Margarites.
The word pearl comes from the Latin word “pilula” which means ball. Another word which stems from the same root is pill.
Pearl Gemstones in Ancient Greece and Rome
The Ancient Greek goddess of love, lust and beauty is Aphrodite. She was born in the foams of the water on the shore of Cyprus.
Aphrodite often wore pearls. Her equivalent in Ancient Rome was the goddess, Venus. This makes pearls a strong symbol of love.
The Ancient Greeks gave pearls to a bride (if they could afford them). They believed this precious jewel would ensure a happy marriage.
The Ancient Romans wore them to show off their wealth. This ensured everyone was aware of their social status.
Both men and women wore pearls.
In some areas of Ancient Rome, they believed pearls could restore the sanity of lunatics.
Queen Elizabeth II and her Pearls
The queen loved her pearls. Anyone who has watched the show “The Crown” will have noticed this. Elizabeth was rarely seen without a pearl necklace.
The Queen owned three pearl necklaces. All three had three strands, and they are just about identical.
Her first necklace was a gift from her father, King George V. We suspect this necklace has an enormous sentimental value.
She later ordered a second pearl necklace. This was to be made to be identical to the first. Her third pearl necklace was a gift from the Emir of Quatar back in 1953.
Queen Elizabeth II wore her beautiful pearl necklace on her wedding day November 20, 1947. Her wedding dress also contained 10 000 seed pearls
Kuan Yin
The pearl is sacred to the goddess Kuan Yin. To this day she is probably the most popular goddess in Asia.
Kuan Yin is the goddess of mercy. She is the one who hears all your sorrows. She is most often recognized wearing a white robe.
Learn more about this goddess. Read the legends of why pearls are connected to the goddess. You will find a great article in our post about the goddess Kuan Yin.
You will find a great article on our post about the goddess Kuan Yin.
Cultured, Natural and Synthetic Pearls
Synthetic pearls are as the name suggests fake. They may be pretty but are nonetheless not the real thing. It may be difficult to see the difference.
You may try to rub the pearl on your teeth. A synthetic version will be smooth. That is not the case with a real pearl.
True pearls are produced inside a mollusk. Saltwater pearls can be found in an oyster called Pinctada. This oyster is not edible. Freshwater pearls are found in mussels called Unio.
A foreign object, for ex. a grain of sand, may find its way into a mollusk. It becomes irritating.
It is impossible to get the grain of sand out. The mollusk will release a substance called nacre to cover the grain of sand.
It will continue to do this for several years. About four or five years later this grain of sand which has gradually been covered with nacre has become a gorgeous pearl.
To protect the Coral Reefs many countries have banned diving for pearl gemstones. Almost all pearls sold today are cultured. They are grown under supervision. That does not make them less real.
No two real pearls are identical.
Every real pearl stone is unique.
There will always be a tiny difference.
Pearls in the Bible
The Parable of the Pearl
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. “Matthew 13:45-46, King James Version
Then we have the words of Jesus from his Sermon on the Mount:
“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” Matthew 7:6
This is a reminder to not offer something to someone who does not appreciate it.
In Revelation about the new heaven and new earth the twelve gates are told to be made of pearls. This has been popularized as the Pearly Gates of Heaven meaning the gates the righteous will pass through to reach heaven.
“And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass.” Revelation 21:21
Pearl gemstones in the Qur’an
It is written in the Qur’an that the inhabitants of paradise will be adorned with pearls:
22:23 God will admit those who believe and work righteous deeds, to Gardens beneath which rivers flow: they shall be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearls; and their garments there will be of silk.
35:33 Gardens of Eternity will they enter: therein will they be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls; and their garments there will be of silk.
52:24 Round about them will serve, [devoted] to them, youths [handsome] as pearls well-guarded.
Pearl Gemstone Quotes
“I had just received La Peregrina from New York on a delicate little chain and I was touching it like a talisman.” Elizabeth Taylor
“I favor pearls on screen and in my private life.” Grace Kelly
“Pearls lie not on the seashore. If you desires one you must dive for it.” Chinese Proverb
“Pearls are always appropriate.” Jackie Kennedy
“A woman needs ropes and ropes of pearls.” Coco Chanel
“All art is autobiographical; the pearl is the oyster’s autobiography” Federico Fellini
Aquamarine gemstone
Turquoise Stone
Tigers Eye
Anniversary Gemstones
Topaz Stone
Citrine Gemstone
Opal Gemstone