Lovely Pearls
image from Studio GRFX
Pearls are the only gemstone to come from a living creature.
Most pearls are produced by oysters that live in saltwater or freshwater environments. When a piece of sand or bit of floating food gets inside an oyster's protective shell, the oyster starts to cover it in layers of nacre - the mineral substance that creates the inner shell of the oyster. Nacre is also called "mother of pearl". Layers and layers of nacre coat the bit of sand or food until a beautiful pearl is formed.
Other gemstones, like diamonds and rubies are minerals. Diamonds were created by intense heat and pressure on carbon atoms that eventually crystallized. Rubies are created with heat and pressure as well on oxygen and aluminum atoms.
image from Freepik
My personal view of the oyster and its pearl is this: something new and beautiful can come from something that started off as wrong or unwelcome. It takes layers of care to turn it into something wonderful. A nice life lesson from nature :)
Have a wonderful week. See you on Friday!
