Know Astrological Pearls Inside-Out
Pearls, one of the oldest types of jewelry, have been highly
regarded and respected across numerous historical cultures. In ancient Vedic
text, pearls are referred to as the "daughter of the moon," originating
from the waters of the Earth. While natural pearls were once widely traded,
their availability in gemstone markets has significantly declined due to
climate and economic changes. Thankfully, cultured pearls have emerged as a
viable alternative for adornment and astrological purposes.
Pearls for Vedic Astrology
While there exist numerous types of cultured pearls, not all of
them are compatible with Vedic astrology. Indeed, the majority of
cultured pearls do not possess the desired effects as a result of the
particular components utilized in the process of culturing. To determine which
pearls are compatible with Jyotish (Vedic astrology) and which are not, it is
crucial to understand the nature of pearls and the process behind their
formation.
Vedic Pearls Formation
The creation of a cultured pearl differs from a "natural
pearl" solely due to human intervention in the process. Pearls are formed
when a foreign object enters a mollusk and irritates its soft tissue.
Subsequently, the mollusk secretes layers of nacre, the substance constituting
an actual pearl, over the irritant, gradually forming a pearl. In astrology,
the quality of the nacre plays a vital role in evaluating the overall quality
of a pearl.
The center of a pearl is referred to as the "nucleus."
One of the key distinguishing factors in cultured pearls is the type of nucleus
used. The most prevalent type is a bead nucleus, where a bead is inserted into
the mollusk, and subsequently coated with a thin layer of nacre. Examples of
bead nucleated cultured pearls include Akoya, South Sea, and Tahitian pearls.
Due to their relatively low percentage of actual nacre, bead nucleated pearls
are not considered ideal for Vedic astrology purposes.
Chinese Tissue Nucleated Pearls
For Vedic astrology, Chinese tissue nucleated pearls are the
preferred option as they are entirely formed of nacre. A small piece of mantle
tissue from another mollusk is inserted into the mussel, resulting in the
pearl's formation. Since these pearls are not given a pre-shaped bead, only
about 2% of them are naturally round in shape. The round, white, lustrous, and
blemish-free ones hold great power for Jyotish (Vedic astrology).
Keshi pearls are unintentional by-products of the pearlculturing process. They form within a farmed pearl's mollusk, but not in the
intended location, hence lacking a bead nucleus. Keshi pearls can be suitable
for Vedic astrology if they meet the quality requirements. However, since keshi
pearls rarely occur in round shapes, they are generally not considered suitable
for astrological purposes.