Hello, dear readers! In nature, real black pearls are not very common; they are created by a special type of mollusk. Pearls of this type are silver, charcoal black and dark green in color.
Since it is rarely found in natural conditions, the cost of jewelry with it is very high. In the old days, only people from high society wore jewelry with it; it was inaccessible to ordinary people. Today the situation has changed somewhat and you can buy cultured black pearls, since they are still more common in the world than natural ones, but their prices are also quite high.
Origin story
Natural black pearls 11-10 mm beads
According to legends, black pearls gained their popularity during the reign of Alexander the Great. At that time, the mining of this mineral was carried out in Yemen on the island of Socotra. The great commander's mentor gave advice to capture the island in order to replenish the treasury by mining the mineral before going to India. It was during those years that pearls of all colors gained rapid popularity in Greece.
The fashion for black pearls came to Europe later - approximately in the 16th century. A necklace of charcoal pearls was Catherine II’s favorite jewelry. Grains of this mineral adorned the crown of the Austrian king.
Where does it come from?
The chance of natural black pearls appearing in nature is low. There is one charcoal-colored pearl for every 15 thousand pearls, so finding such a stone is a great success. It is born in the shells of the mollusk Pinctada margaritifera. The nucleation process begins with the entry of a grain of sand into the cavity of the shell. The mollusk then envelops her with its unique secretion. The color of the gemstone depends specifically on this substance and foreign bodies entering the shell.
Physico-chemical characteristics
The chemical composition of black pearls is calcium carbonate (CaCO3) combined with conchiolin and water. The color of the mineral comes from the fluid produced by the oyster. In most cases it is black, but there are also dark green and gray pearls with a pearlescent tint.
physical characteristics
| Index | Description |
| Mohs hardness | 3-4 units |
| Shine | pearlescent, matte |
| Density | up to 2.78 g/cm³ |
| Transparency | opaque, translucent |
| Kink | shellish |
| Cleavage | absent |
| Pearl shape | sphere, drop, oval, pear-shaped, semicircular, button-shaped, irregular shape |
Type and features
There are four varieties of black pearls.
Natural pearls
The extraction of a mineral of natural origin has been prohibited since 1952, so it is impossible to find it on the shelves of jewelry stores. You can purchase natural black pearls only at auctions and pay exorbitant prices.
Cultured pearls
Beads made from natural pearls cultured in the natural environment
This type of mineral is created with the help of humans, but the main growth process remains natural under favorable conditions. The base of the future pearl is inserted into the mantle of the mollusk, which over time becomes covered with nacre. For the pearl to fully grow, a certain composition of the liquid produced by the mollusk, appropriate water temperature and current are required. The process of creating a mineral can take several years.
Cultured black pearls come in two types:
- Tahitian - large-diameter, charcoal-colored pearls have a metallic sheen and an iridescent sheen.
- "Cortez" - pearls of a smoky shade are grown in California.
Artificial pearls
Black artificial pearls
This variety is created by man from synthetic materials without the intervention of nature. There are the following types of artificial pearls:
- Mallorca - made in Spain from glass, plastic or porcelain, coated with nitrocellulose or artificial mother-of-pearl.
- Venetian - is a blown glass filled with wax and pearl sand. The shade of this variety is as close as possible to the color of natural black pearls.
- Roman - made of glass and then covered with essence.
- Takara is a pearl-colored core made of plastic, coated with polyamide or varnish.
- French - the manufacturing process is similar to Venetian.
With changed color
Natural white pearls are dyed black. This can be done in two ways:
- With the help of X-rays, river pearls acquire a charcoal color, sometimes with a metallic tint, and sea pearls acquire a gray or bluish tint.
- Using a solution of silver nitrate, the pearls are immersed in the prepared composition and exposed to ultraviolet radiation. After the procedure, carried out with strict adherence to technology, the mineral acquires a rich black color.
Medicinal properties
Among the healing properties of black pearls, the following are worth highlighting:
- beneficial effects on the immune system;
- treatment of liver and kidney diseases;
- normalization of the digestive system;
- relieving nervous tension and the effects of stress;
- rapid recovery from physical fatigue;
- increased mental activity;
- decrease in body temperature during heat.
The sea mineral will warn its owner about the development of the disease at the initial stage - the pearl will fade and lose its natural shine.
Magic properties
Because of its color, different peoples attribute special magical properties to black pearls.
In China, a mineral of this color is a symbol of patience and wisdom. In other eastern countries it is considered a talisman of success, material wealth and happiness.
In India, black pearls are a strong amulet against the evil eye, evil spirits and dangers. They take it with them on trips and long trips to protect themselves from accidents.
Ancient Rus' had its own legends about this mineral. It was believed that it could only be given to married women and widows. In the first case, black pearls acted as a talisman against betrayal and betrayal; in the second, they helped to find new love. For unmarried men and unmarried young girls, jewelry with black pearls can doom them to loneliness.
Silver and gold enhance the magical properties of black pearls, which is why the mineral is most often set in these metals.
Favorable time to buy
The most favorable time to purchase dark pearl jewelry is autumn. It is during this period that a person most needs to protect and maintain the body in good shape. These properties are what black pearls have proven themselves to be.
There are no restrictions for other seasons, and if desired and possible, it is worth purchasing a magical mineral in hot summer or frosty winter.
Only confident and stately people can afford black pearls. Natural stone will strengthen their self-confidence and improve their body health. You won't regret this purchase.
Sources
- https://Karatto.ru/organicheskie-kamni/chernyj-zhemchug.html
- https://vplate.ru/kamni-i-mineraly/chernyj-zhemchug/
- https://MoyKamen.com/vidy/organicheskie/chernyj-zhemchug.html
- https://vericon.ru/talismany/chernyj-zhemchug-kamen.html
- https://nataly-moda.ru/dragocennye-kamni/chernyj-zhemchug-kamen.html
- https://jgems.ru/dragotsennye/chernyj-zhemchug
- https://kamnistar.com/po-cvetam/chernyj-zhemchug/
- https://kamenis.com/zhemchug/ukrashenija-s-chjornym-zhemchugom/
- https://vkamen.ru/dragotsennye-kamni/chernyj-zhemchug
- https://kamnevedy.ru/category/busy/busy-iz-chernogo-zhemchuga/
- https://TheMineral.ru/organicheskie/kamen-chernyj-zhemchug
- https://PulsKamnya.ru/dragotsennie/zhemchug/cherniy
- https://vseprokamni.ru/vidy/organicheskie/kamen-chernyj-zhemchug.html
Application
Stud earrings with black pearls
The only use of black pearls is in making jewelry. Depending on the shape and size, pearls are used as an insert into a particular piece of jewelry.
For example, teardrop grains look best in chokers and miniature necklaces, while beads that resemble grains of rice make beautiful beads. One large pearl is inserted into the ring, shimmering with mother-of-pearl or a metallic sheen. Flat beads with a diameter of no more than 1 cm are suitable for earrings. A classic type of jewelry is a pearl thread made of beads of a regular round shape.
Copper, silver, gold or platinum are used to set black pearls.
Defects: which are acceptable and which are not
Once the pearls are removed from their shells, they are assessed according to a variety of parameters:
- form;
- color;
- shine;
- defects.
The last parameter is considered the most important: if a pearl of ideal shape and color has unacceptable defects, it will not be used for further jewelry production.
According to this criterion, pearls are divided into classes . AAA class minerals, free from any defects, have the highest degree of purity. Pearls with acceptable defects (indentations or bulges, spots invisible to the naked eye) are assigned class AA+ or AA.
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