Pearl

PEARL

Pearls are closely associated with human history. These are considered to be the oldest germ stones in the world since pre- historic times. It is believed that pearls were discovered when the primitive man wandered along the beaches in search of food.

Pearl is considered as one of the nine types of gem stones known as precious Navarathnas.

1. Mode of Pearl Formation

1. Natural Pearl

Pearls are obtained from a creature called a pearl sculptor. Nature gives us the pearl as a finished product. Nacre is formed on the inner shells of pearl oysters and dark blue oysters.

Naturally produced pearls, when any parasites, small creatures, shells go inside the shell, there is an eruption. At that time, a special kind of liquid called nacre is secreted to protect itself by covering the object that enters.

The longer the object is in the shell, more layers of nacre liquid will settle on it, turning it into a precious pearl. Similarly, even if a small grain of sand enters, it becomes a pearl. Naturally forming pearls like this are valuable. There is no need to polish (or) brighten the natural pearls.

2. Artificial Pearl

A pearl is not a mineral. It is formed by two calcium carbonate minerals namely aragonite and calcite. These two minerals differ in their crystallinity.

* Aragonite is formed by red square crystals.

* Calcite is formed by triangular cyrstals.

Pearls are formed by the ingestion of minerals such as aragonite and calcite, which are mixed with a binding fluid called ganghelin (a protein) in the stomach.

Proofs

1. The Chinese inserted a small lead Buddha statue into the shell's mouth while it was open. After some time, when the oyster is opened, the Buddha statue is encased in pearly liquid.

2. The Japanese would push small grains through the shell's mouth. Nacre liquid settles on it and a well-grown pearl is taken out.

Duration for the formation of Pearls

Pearls take 5-6 years to form in good water.

Perls take 5-20 years to form in salt water.

A shell produces a total of 60 pearls in its life time.

2. Properties of Pearl

Pearls are solid, translucent, white in colour and spherical or oval in shape.

Animuthu

The highest type of spherical pearls is called Animuthu. It is slightly larger in size, highly compressed and shiny with high light penetration.

3. Sanctity of Pearl

Pearls are generally symbols of purity, holiness, perfection, etc., and represent human qualities such as virtue, love, wisdom, justice, spirituality and fairness.

Proofs

1. In ancient China, pearl jewelry was believed to bring purity to those who wore them.

2. In the Dark Ages, warriors considered that wearing pearl jewelry would give them protection.

4. Medical Properties of Pearls

1. If the Pearl is put in skimmed milk, it will float. If pearls are soaked in water and the water is drunk, the acidity in the stomach will be neutralized and intestinal diseases will be prevented.

2. Pearl preserves smooth liver function.

3. It has diabetes control properties.

4. If pearls rich in calcium are worn and when they rub the body, the protein will be dissolved. As a result, the body heat will subside.

Proofs

1. Medical texts say that pearls give longer life.

2. The method of making the pearl into powder with the herbal juice is mentioned in Siddha medical texts.

3. Cleopatra, the world's most beautiful woman crushed a pearl and mixed it with wine and gave it to Mark Antony as dinner. This is considered to be the most expensive dinner in the history of the world.

5. Pearls during the Sangam Period

The earliest reference to pearls comes from China during the Sangam period. Pearls were gifted to Chinese royalty as early as 2300 BC.

One of the oldest books in China, the 'Sho King', published in 2350 BC, mentions pearls found in the Hewai River and in the series of pearl rewards given after death.

Proofs

1. Lead Buddha

China is credited with producing the first cultured pearls by inserting tiny lead Buddha statues into the pearl oysters around 1000 AD.

2. Pearls in Quran

Pearls are referred to in holy books such as Quran.

3. The New Testament

References to pearls are found in both the New and Old Testaments.

Proofs

Mathew 2 notes; Resurrection 4 notes; Timothy 2 notes.

4. Pearls as Jewelry

Even before the 420 Century BC, it is evident that pearls were used as jewelry. Prior to the period before 4th Century BC, pearls had been used as decorative items in Egypt.

Evidence

1. A piece of broken pearl jewelry has been found on the body of a Persian Princess in an ancient stone coffin dating back to 420 BC at the Louvre Museum in Paris.

There is evidence of the pearl trade during the reign of Alexander the Great in the 4th Century BC.

6. Pearls in Sangam Literature

There are many accounts of pearls in Sangam literature. It is understood from the following proof that Avaiyar sang that pearls were found in abundance in the Pandyan country and the Pandyan South as World famous for pearls.

Proof: Avaiyar - Individual versa

1. Korkai Pearls

Korkai was the primary capital of the Pandyas till 130 AD. Later, it became the port and the second capital of the Pandyas. Here, the pearls were highly valued and the pearls found were the best and the following Nartinai and Ingurunooru tell us. It is said in the literature that the pearl trade went on extensively.

Proof: Nartinai 23: 5-6 Kanakayanar

In the Korkai beach, the sea waves pile up pearls on the shore. Scattered on the beach, these pearls get struck in the hooves of the rich man's horse and hinder it. The following Agananooru verse, says that the pearls are found scattered to this extent.

Proof: Agananooru 130: 9-11 Venkannanar

2. Musiri Pearls

Pearls were also found in the port of Musiri, the country of Chera. These pearls were sold in a town called Bandar. The Arabic word Bandar means the port.

Proof: Pathirtupathu 7-Ampaththu 7th verse