1. Description of pearl.
The Oyster Pearl is the most well-known of the pearl family, and is composed of nacre secreted over time by any number of varieties of Oyster to protect itself against irritation from an invading sand particle. Oyster Pearls are cultivated by stimulating this process artificially and are commonly authenticated by their weight, lustre, and roughish texture against the teeth. A pearl will dissolve in acids such as Coca-Cola and is considered a soft-stone that is adversely affected by soap, lotions, and shampoos. An X-Ray of a given pearl is considered to be the final authority as to whether it is natural or cultivated, but largely only specialized collector interests will consider a cultivated pearl worthless or any less a valuable gemstone then that produced by common occurrences of undersea life.
Oyster pearls may be round (considered perfect), and vary in quality and cost based on size, color, lustre, and absence of flaws. It is considered acceptable to drill an Oyster Pearl, except in the case of a perfect naturally formed Oyster Pearl, and it will also accept varieties of glue that would otherwise damage, say, a Conch Pearl.
2. References to the pearl within sacred texts.
The significance of the benefits of the oyster and the Oyster pearl are given in the Atharva Veda:
IV, 10. 1. Born of the wind, the atmosphere, the lightning, and the light, may this pearl shell, born of gold, protect us from straits!
2. With the shell which was born in the sea, at the head of bright substances, we slay the Rakshas and conquer the Atrins (devouring demons).
3. With the shell (we conquer) disease and poverty; with the shell, too, the Saânvâs. The shell is our universal remedy; the pearl shall protect us from straits!
4. Born in the heavens, born in the sea, brought on from the river (Sindhu), this shell, born of gold, is our life-prolonging amulet.
5. The amulet, born from the sea, a sun, born from Vritra (the cloud), shall on all sides protect us from the missiles of the gods and the Asuras!
6. Thou art one of the golden substances, thou art born from Soma (the moon). Thou art sightly on the chariot, thou art brilliant on the quiver. [May it prolong our lives!]
7. The bone of the gods turned into pearl; that, animated, dwells in the waters. That do I fasten upon thee unto life, lustre, strength, longevity, unto a life lasting a hundred autumns, May the (amulet) of pearl protect thee!
Sri Garuda Purana explains the origins of Oyster Pearls: "The Teeth of that great (demon) Vala lay scattered and perched up over the wide expanse of heaven like the galaxy of stars, and dropped down one by one into the wonderfully coloured waters of the oceans, and originated the seeds of gems vieing with the beams of the full moon, and the rainbow tint of a peacock's feathers in colour. Some of these seeds entered into the inner organisms of oysters that lay in the deep beds of oceans and gave rise to pearls." Ch 69.
3. Theological alignment of a given pearl group (i.e. presiding deity)
Chandra, also known as the presiding deity of the Moon, is the archetype governing the Oyster Pearl.
4. Cosmological Inherents (i.e. gem of Heaven, Underworld)
Considered a terrestrial gem, highly desired, and with a fixed value set by the ancient texts at least as old as Varahamihira.
5. Religious or cultural significance of given pearl variety.
Considered precious by most societies, with various degrees of reverence. Largely considered adornment for women in the west.
6. Cross-references noted within Varahamihira.
Substantial. Much description on where the best Oyster Pearls are found, their variants, their values, and in defining names of the quantities in which they are sold.
7. Ritual handling of the artifact.
Not presently reported as salient, barring specific directives against purchasing pearls during certain phases of the moon which are considered to destroy or damage the gems.
8. Stipulations regarding ownership.
Flawed pearls bring disaster to owners within a Hindu context. As a practical matter, Oyster Pearls are delicate and can be easily scratched or damaged by rough handling.
9. Historical references.
The existence of Oyster Pearls are referenced within even the earliest societies, and is not presently estimated as salient to the reader.
10. State of scientific analysis.
GIAA criteria considered authoritative over Oyster Pearls as a commodity gem. Little remains unknown regarding any aspect of the Oyster Pearl, its composition, or universal quality characteristics.
11. Geographical origin.
Varied, widely found in coastal marine waters.
12. Scientific considerations for full overview.
Few if any remain barring any attempts to prove to a degree of statistical significance the conference of Veda-promised blessings using scientific method as has been performed for Rudraksha Bead wearers at University of Benares. This also holds true for the balance of the other pearls.
13. Archaeologist review.
Not apparently applicable.
14. Hindu intelligence.
Even if cultured and dyed and found on E-bay, pearls are still pearls and are reported to have varying degrees of capability to remedy maligned astrological influences or to act as independent support due to their inherent properties to calm and to center. Severely flawed gemstones of any kind are considered injurious. This is part and parcel of the Hindu discipline known as Jyotish, or Light science which integrates Sidereal Astrology (primarily star-based rather than planet-based) into a system of remedies in the practice of gemology.
15. Gemological opinion
In some circles, Jyotish practitioners will to varying degrees only consider the most expensive and perfect of pearls to be usable. This appears to have the net effect of somewhat constraining religious practice around gems further from the reach of less wealthy adherents.
16. Artist overview.
Not applicable.
17. Anecdotal reports.
One team member notes a pervasive sense of calm and peace while wearing a string of pearls, but notes the fact that a man that wears pearls may as well be wearing a dress in most parts of the United States and probably abroad.
18. Personal observances.
Oyster Pearls are exceedingly inexpensive when purchased from Thailand presently, and the Internet is rife with sellers. While often not quite as purported, the cultured products remain substantially valuable pearls and appreciated as gifts.
19. Social response of observers.
Oyster Pearls are often admired or envied on the wearer, although few can often tell the difference between a perfect pearl and a small white marble.
20. Cross-cultural references.
Knowledge of the Oyster Pearl crosses most if not all strata of human societies.
21. Miscellaneous subtleties.
Strings of Oyster Pearl make lasting and appreciated gifts, sometimes in disproportion to their commodity rate purchase price.
22. Relative Scarcity of pearl.
Not scarce. Perfect natural Oyster Pearls are scarce, but generally speaking there is no shortage of these gems.
23. Known Placements.
Ubiquitous.
24. Relative Valuation Criteria.
Commodity pricing derived from matching characteristics of tightly-defined categories with a high degree of granularity in variance.
25. Indicated ownership benefits.
Sensitivity, emotional balance producing physical results, etc. according to varieties of Jyotish practice; pacifying malefic moon placement in one's Vedic horoscope. It might be noted that some Jyotish practitioners advise gems to remedy bad planetary placement, while others use them to enhance already good placements.
26. Conjecture on what gives each pearl a Sacred property.
The mysterious and intimate process of the creation of an Oyster Pearl, along with its look and feel, seem to bring a sense of certainty and acceptance to life's irritants on a subtle symbolic level. The moon-like presence seems to reinforce this sense of certainty, and the beauty of the gem seems to speak highly of trusting the natural process of all things. Jyotish ties the gem directly to affectation for positive or negative with respect to the influence of Chandra, or the Moon.
27. Action plan for further research.
None anticipated.
No further salient researched requested of biologist / zoologist or others.