Heart shaped Pearl
Tiny Treasures of Elegance
Unlike the traditional bead cultured pearls typically nucleated with spherical shell bead nuclei, a heart-shaped bead nucleus was used in this pearl to achieve its unique shape. Hence, it was described as an “atypical bead” cultured pearl (aBCP) according to GIA’s pearl identification terminology.
Origin of Heart shaped Pearls
In countless cultures around the world, the pearl has its own origin myth. Arabs believed these gems were the result of the tears of the gods, fallen into the ocean and making their way into the oysters. The Greeks believed that the goddess of love, Aphrodite, shed pearls for tears.
The History and Origins of the pearl could fill many volumes, but we’ve condensed this article to the most important facts to know about this marvelous gemstone. Read the whole article, or use the linked Table of Contents below to skip directly to the points that interest you most.
Even the Gates of Heaven were described as carved out of pearl in the Bible. Krishna, the Hindu god gave his beloved wife pearls when they were wed.
Use of Heart shaped Pearl
Heart shaped Pearl find their way into various forms of jewelry and decorative items. Here are some popular uses:
Necklaces
A traditional option for people looking for a delicate and exquisite aesthetic is Heart shaped pearl necklaces. For a stylish look, you can layer them with other necklaces or wear them alone.
Earrings
Heart shaped pearls make stunning earrings, whether as simple studs or dangling designs. Their size and shape allow for intricate and graceful arrangements.
Bracelets
These pearls can be strung together to create charming bracelets that add a touch of sophistication to any ensemble.
Bridal Jewelry
Heart shaped pearls are a favorite choice for bridal jewelry, symbolizing purity and love. Brides often wear pearl necklaces, earrings, or bracelets on their special day.
Home Decor
Beyond jewelry, Heart shaped pearls can be used in crafting, such as embellishing clothing or creating decorative items like curtains, table runners, and lampshades.
Heart-Shaped Golden South Sea Cultured Pearl
The heart shape has been a worldwide symbol of love and romance for centuries. GIA’s New York laboratory recently received a golden-colored heart-shaped pearl pendant that drew our attention. The pearl was reportedly produced in the Philippines, which is a major source of golden South Sea cultured pearls. Upon routine gemological and advanced instrumental examination—including microradiography, ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy, manganese and strontium contents from energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence, and reaction to long-wave UV—we concluded that it was an atypical bead cultured pearl from the Pinctada maxima species, commonly known in the trade as a South Sea cultured pearl (figure 1), and its heart shape and golden color were entirely natural.
Perfectly Heart shaped Pearls
Unlike the traditional bead cultured pearls typically nucleated with spherical shell bead nuclei, a heart-shaped bead nucleus was used in this pearl to achieve its unique shape. Hence, it was described as an “atypical bead” cultured pearl (aBCP) according to GIA’s pearl identification terminology. Real-time microradiography (RTX) and X-ray computed microtomography (CT) clearly revealed the internal structure of a heart-shaped bead nucleus (figure 2). The nacre coverage, averaging 0.80 mm thick, was evenly distributed all around the nucleus, demonstrating that the heart shape of the pearl was consistent with the shape of the nucleus. Magnification revealed no signs of surface working or treatment, suggesting the pearl was in its original form after harvest. It displayed a strong orangy yellow color that is highly sought after among South Sea pearls. Ultraviolet/visible reflectance and photoluminescence spectroscopy further confirmed its natural color origin