Gemstones Beginning with "P"

Paua Shell See Abalone

Pearl is an organic gem that grows within bivalve mollusks, mostly of the oyster type. It is formed when an irritant, such as a tiny stone or grain of sand, intrudes into the mollusk. As a defense mechanism, the mollusk secretes a material called nacre to coat the irritant and protect itself from it. When the material dries, the mollusk secretes more nacre, building up thousands of layers over a period of time, from several months to several years. This build-up of nacre becomes the pearl and the microcrystals that make up the nacre cause the iridescent colors, called orient, that can be seen on the pearl surface. Natural pearls are those formed naturally -- without human intervention -- in the ocean as well as in freshwater. Cultured pearls are formed with human assistance -- an irritant is placed surgically into the mollusk. Cultured pearl farms are found in both the ocean and freshwater rivers. Natural pearls are very rare -- and very expensive -- so one should assume that pearls are cultured unless otherwise noted. (Cultured pearls today account for 90 percent of the pearl trade.) Pearls, whether natural or cultured, formed by saltwater mollusks are commonly called oriental pearls and those formed by freshwater mollusks are called freshwater pearls. Pearl colors range from black to white depending on the mollusk, its diet and its environment. Common colors include white, cream, rose, gray, blue, yellow, lavender, green and mauve. Pearls are often treated through bleaching, dyeing or radiation to improve and/or change the colors. Pearls can be as small as a pinhead and as large as a pigeon's egg (although very rare), in a variety of shapes including round, potato, teardrop, rice/oval, button and coin. Keshi pearls look like little flower petals or cornflakes and are actually formed completely from the nacre without any core irritant. Natural saltwater (oriental) pearls (sea pearls) can be found in the vicinity of the Persian Gulf and in the Gulf of Manaar between India and Sri Lanka, as well as along the coasts of Madagascar, Burma, the Philippines, the South Pacific islands, northern Australia, Central America and northern South America. A limited number of natural freshwater pearls (river pearls) can be obtained from rivers in the United States. Cultured saltwater pearl farms are found in Japan, as well as in coastal waters of Australia, South-Southeast Asia, Burma, Malaysia, Indonesia and the islands of French Polynesia, where the famous black Tahitian pearls are cultured. Cultured freshwater pearl farms are found in the Biwa Lake, Japan, as well as in China. The pearl is said to harmonize the emotions and ease mood swings; to help improve hormone balance; and to bring emotional peace and spiritual tranquility. Mohs' hardness: 2-1/2 to 4-1/2.

Peridot is the gemstone variety of a mineral called olivine. It is a transparent, vivid yellow-green to olive-green, and occasionally brown. Deposits can be found in Burma, Australia, Brazil, China, Kenya, Mexico, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Tanzania, Norway and Arizona. Peridot is said to neutralize physical, emotional or mental toxicity; to clear old life patterns to encourage new experiences; and to encourage mental clarity and clear decision making. Mohs' hardness: 6-1/2 to 7.

Peruvian Opal is a variety of precious opal most commonly found in two translucent to opaque colors, a sea-colored blue and pastel pink. The stone frequently contains black fernlike inclusions called dendrites. Deposits can be found in the Andes Mountains in Peru. See Precious Opal and Opal for more information.

Petrified Wood is a fossil with the mineral composition of jasper, chalcedony and sometimes opal. Is was created when forests were buried under layers of sedimentary rock and the plant cells were bathed in minerals that replaced the organic structure in the original wood. The end result looks like a tree, with rings still visible, but has the weight and feel of stone. Colors are mostly dull gray or brown, but sometimes shades of red, pink, light brown, yellow, blue and violet can appear. Deposits can be found in Arizona, Egypt, Argentina, Canada, Wyoming, Nevada, Australia, Greece, India, Madagascar, Mongolia and Namibia. Petrified wood is said to cleanse the liver and the blood; to aid stiff joints and arthritis; to ease stuck emotions around old issues; and to help connect spiritually to the deepest history of our planet. Mohs' hardness: 6-1/2 to 7.

Picasso Stone is a jasper named for Pablo Picasso. It is "painted" with gray and tan colors streaked with black lines, resembling the dramatic abstract art of its namesake. Deposits can be found in Utah. See Jasper for more information.

Picture Jasper is petrified mud, with sandy to dark brown streaks of brown that look like landscapes. Deposits can be found in Idaho and Oregon. Picture jasper is said to help with the re-evaluation of life's issues and to facilitate development and continuance of business pursuits and activities. See Jasper for more information.

Pietersite is a newer member of the quartz group, discovered in 1962. Made up largely of combinations of tiger's eye and hawk's eye, layers of silt, sand and quartz become fused together to form swirls of mottled layers of dark blue, brown and gold with small white or red inclusions. Colors change as it is turned toward the light, sometimes taking on a metallic sheen. Deposits are found in China, Namibia and South Africa. Pietersite is said to relax muscular tension and give the body a sense of vitality and renewal; to facilitate inner journeying; and to increase intuition and clairvoyance. Mohs' hardness: 7.

Poppy Jasper is a red, pink and black variety of jasper that looks like a bunch of pink and red poppies. Poppy jasper is said to bring attunement to animals and heal animal allergies. See Jasper for more information.

Porcelain Jasper has an unusual pattern of subdued cream, mauve, and plum colors. Deposits can be found in Mexico. See Jasper for more information.

Precious Opal is a subgroup of the opal species that is characterized by a rainbow-like play-of-color that changes depending on the angle of view. There are many varieties, but the two most well-known are white opal and black opal. White opal has a white or light basic color with color play, while black opal has a dark gray, dark blue, dark green and gray-black basic color with color play. Black opals are rarer than white opals. Deposits can be found in Australia, Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Nevada and Idaho. See Opal for more information.

Pyrite is iron sulfide and is known as fool's gold because of its metallic luster and brassy yellow color. It is shiny and metallic and found in veins of quartz and sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, and sometimes beds of coal. The name is derived from the Greek pyr, meaning fire, because striking pyrite against steel can cause sparks. What is referred to as marcasite in the jewelry industry is actually pyrite. Deposits can be found in Peru, Bolivia, Mexico, Romania, Sweden and Colorado. Pyrite is said to clarify mental processes, chasing away confusion and shedding light on problems; to encourage decision making and taking action; and to help the immune system. Mohs' hardness: 6 to 6-1/2.

Pyrope is a garnet whose color ranges from ruby red to dark red with a brown tint. Deposits can be found in Burma, China, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Tanzania and the United States. See Garnet for more information.

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