Pearls

Pearls are beautiful, lustrous gems formed within certain types of mollusks, such as oysters and mussels. They develop as a defense mechanism against irritants, like a grain of sand, which prompts the mollusk to secrete layers of nacre, a substance that eventually creates the pearl. Pearls come in various colors, shapes, and sizes, and are highly valued in jewelry and adornments. Unlike most gems, which are mined from the earth, pearls are organic and formed in living creatures. Their uniqueness and the natural processes that create them have made them symbols of beauty and elegance throughout history.