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.