Since I there were 3 of my family members born this week, I was thinking about birthdays and birthstones.  One of June’s birthstones is the pearl.  I personally like to wear pearls.  It makes me feel like a grown-up.

Here are some facts about pearls…..

– Any mollusk with a shell can grow a pearl, but usually they are created by mollusks with 2 shells.

– Most natural pearls are formed from a parasite or injury. The mollusk senses the foreign matter and coats it with a mineral and a protein.

– A pearl can take anywhere from months to many years to form. It all depends on the environment and the size and the type of mollusk.

– The ancient Greeks believed that pearls were drops of water that fell from Aphrodite as she emerged from the sea.

– The pearl has long been considered a symbol of purity, love, wisdom and wealth.

– Jesus used a pearl as a parable of the Kingdom of God, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful 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

– Most “real” pearls are cultured. Here’s more about how pearls are created: http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5147163_do-pearls-grow.html

– One of the most famous pearls is La Peregrina. It was owned by Phillip II of Spain, Napolean, Queen Mary I (Sister of Queen Elizabeth I), and more recently Elizabeth Taylor. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Peregrina_pearl

Something that I’ve been pondering this morning is about how most pearls are formed from injury or parasites.  Did Jesus know this when he said, “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.” in Matthew 7:6? Something to think about.

Happy Friday.

Related articles

• A Pearl is a Pearl: Cultured Pearls vs Natural Pearls (raymondleejewelersblog.com)
• Spotlight on: June’s Birthstone Pearl (raymondleejewelers.net)