Sabemos que las perlas son una sustancia , el nacar, mezclada con otros elementos que hacen que una capa de nacar después de otra se endurezcan y formen gradualmente lo que se conoce como perla.
Las perlas son el producto de una reacción de enquistamiento de una partícula extraña dentro del cuerpo blando de los moluscos, especialmente en los bivalvos. Las perlas más conocidas son las consideradas como gemas o piedras preciosas, por su simetría y su particular lustre. Las perlas preciosas son producidas en su inmensa mayoría por las ostras pertenecientes a la familia Pteriidae.
Las perlas naturales se forman cuando un cuerpo extraño penetra al interior del cuerpo del molusco, el cual reacciona cubriendo lentamente la partícula con una mezcla de cristales de carbonato de calcio (CaCO3) y una proteína llamada conchiolina, formando la sustancia conocida como nácar, que es la sustancia que forra la cavidad paleal del animal (las paredes interiores de las valvas). Al cabo de un período variable la partícula termina cubierta por una o más capas de nácar, formando una perla.
Calígula
Las perlas son de tamaño, color y forma variables. El valor de la perla se determina en función de criterios varios pero puede decirse que se centran en tres: una forma deseable (por ejemplo, las esferas perfectas o las “lágrimas”), la rareza de su color (casi toda la gama entre el blanco y el negro) y naturalmente la talla. Aunque las características estéticas y de tamaño son fundamentales en la valoración de una perla, el precio final depende en gran medida de las tendencias de la moda del momento.
El brillo de la perla proviene de la reflexión luminosa en la superficie cristalina, mientras que la iridiscencia proviene de la refracción y difracción luminosas en las múltiples capas de nácar translúcido que forman una perla cualquiera. ( De Wikipedia)
Cleopatra afirmaba que podía disolver perlas y ganó una apuesta en su tiempo, echándolas en vinagre. Está muy claro que su uso es antiguo.
Cuenta una leyenda egipcia que Cleopatra, decidida a impresionar a Marco Antonio, apostó que era capaz de consumir la riqueza de un país en una sola copa.
Él, seguro del imposible, aceptó. Entonces la Reina de Egipto, disolvió una de sus dos valiosísimas perlas en vinagre y la bebió, venciendo así a su poderoso esposo.
La perla se disolvió (la naturaleza ácida del vinagre disuelve el nácar, compuesto principalmente de carbonato de calcio cristalizado) y Cleopatra se bebió el vino ante los atónitos ojos de Marco Antonio.
Cleopatra no sólo bebió el vaso de vino más caro de la Historia y ganó la apuesta, también ganó el corazón de Marco Antonio, que se trasladó a Alejandría. Sin embargo, diez años más tarde, el emperador Octavio condujo una guerra contra Egipto y derrotó a Marco Antonio y a Cleopatra, los cuales, como sabemos, se suicidaron poco después.
Finaliza Plinio contándonos que la perla del otro pendiente de Cleopatra fue cortada en dos y las mitades fueron colocadas en las orejas de una estatua de Venus en Roma.
Calígula solía disolver perlas en vinagre para aderezar con esa mezcla los pescados que se servían en su mesa.
Tenía para ello una vinagrera muy especial y un ritual muy sofisticado con el que elaborar las salsas: una esclava negra, completamente desnuda, le acercaba la botella de vinagre, la vinagrera, de oro y en forma de concha, un agitador también de oro y un cofre lleno de perlas.
Según el pescado del que se tratara, el emperador hacía la salsa de perlas más espesa o más líquida.
No obstante, antes de los romanos, el vinagre ya tenía un uso generalizado en culturas anteriores como la griega. De ello, los cocineros helenos lo utilizaban para ablandar la carne de buey y curar las heridas que se hacían en las manos.
Ya sabemos que las leyes de la química lo impedirán, pero deberían andarse con cuidado en ese Hotel de Nueva York, no sea que el diamante en el fondo del Martini se disuelva y desaparezca como hizo en el vino la perla de Cleopatra… y… ¡adiós 10.000 dólares! 
http://www.google.es/search?hl=es&q=perlas+cleopatra&btnG=Buscar+con+Google&meta=&aq=f&oq=
Filed under: Arqueologia,ARTÍCULOS,General,H. Egipto,H. Roma,HISTORIA ANTIGUA
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Hola soy amante de las perlas y de la arquelogia.Podria decirme si en Mallorca
hay perlas azules?.Sucede que el dia de la Madre regale a mi madre un brazalete de perlas de el color mencionadoy una de mis maestras sabe mucho de perlas y me dijo que no hay perlas de el color en Mallorca.Podria sacarme de la duda?
Por lo que he podido leer solo las hay en Nueva Zelanda
http://www.jewelinfo4u.com/Blue_Pearl.aspx
Blue Pearls are procured from marine snails called as ‘Abalone’. They are found only in crystal clear sea water of New Zealand.
Locally abalone is known as ‘paua’. Pearls cultured from these shellfish possess fascinating luster and colour. Paua or Abalone is one of the most wonderful sea creature with incredible colours. Hence, blue pearls are most valuable pearls that signifies the unique beauty of the fish and also the country.
Blue Pearl
In New Zealand, people have abalone pearl farm where they grow these snails with a purpose to produce blue pearl for commercial use. In the farm, different sizes of nuclei are injected in abalone and allowed them to grow. After the span of two to three years these are harvested and pearl is removed from the snail’s shell. This pearl is known as blue pearl which after being further processed is manufactured into different jewelry items.
Blue pearl is created after a lot of hard work and patience. Similarly it takes skill to manufacture the jewelry. Therefore, time and energy must be invested in buying blue pearl. This article provides necessary information that would assist the buyer in purchasing true and genuine blue pearl that is cultivated in clear water of New Zealand.
Quality of blue pearl is depends on three important aspects viz. luster, colour and surface texture. These three together determine the value of the pearl. However, other criteria to be taken care off are nacre thickness, size and shape. These are important to determine the lifespan of the pearl and do not affect the price much. These pearls are very rare and so extremely precious.
Beauty of pearls is best expressed by it’s luster. Luster refers to the shine that is present on the surface of the pearl. High luster pearls reflect back the light falling on its surface. Pearls tend to get lively look only because of brilliant luster. The intensity of luster is dependent to a great extent on the nacre thickness.
Luster is most important aspect in cultured pearls. Blue pearl is a cultured pearl therefore, look for bright luster in these pearls. These pearls possess high luster such that the reflection of self is visible on its surface. More the luster more shall be the price of the pearl. It has mirror like finish and intense light reflection. Blue pearls with dull luster must be avoided even if it costs less as it might not be genuine or won’t last for a longer duration.
After the luster, next comes colour. Blue pearl has incredible natural colours of ‘paua’. The main colours are azure, shades of blue and green consisting of different other colours in patches like green, lavender, purple, magenta and pink. There is a perfect blend of all the colours on the pearl surface. No two blue pearl would have identical colour as no two ‘paua’ snail is same. One pearl might have a patch of magenta and other might have lavender instead of magenta. Both are blue pearls. The basic and main colour should be azure, bluish green or any shade of blue or green. Azure colour is most valuable and high in demand.
Surface texture is another aspect that determines the value in terms of money of the blue pearl. Smooth and flawless surface texture of the pearl makes it highly valuable that fetches very high price. Blue pearl with a perfect smooth finish and free from blemishes is very rare rather it is impossible to find.
Blue pearl grows inside the snail therefore blemishes and flaws are obvious to be present on the surface. Nature creation will have nature’s presence for sure. Blue pearl has smooth mirror like surface finish to bumpy uneven finish. It varies from less blemish/flaws to most. Every ‘paua’ is different so is every blue pearl. Smooth finish with less stained surface of blue pearl is most expensive. With the imperfections of finish and blemish increasing the price of the pearl decreases.
Next comes is nacre thickness. This is an important aspect in determining the life of the pearl and quality of the luster. Blue pearl is formed inside the shell of paua snail. The snail forms a coating of the organic substance - calcium carbonate around the pearl. This coating is deposited layer after the layer and is called as nacre. The pearl comprising of thick nacre and regular layering should be selected.
Blue pearl exhibits amazing luminescence i.e luster as it consists of thick nacre. These pearls last for the lifetime due to thick nacre. The thickness can be judged from the pearl drill hole where all the layers meet. Else it can be measured through X-rays. Usually, blue pearl has 0.05-0.07mm nacre thickness. In case it has thin nacre then do not select that pearl piece as it can crack or break easily.
Size also determines the price of the pearl. Pearl is measured in millimeters from its diameter. Large size increases the price. Blue pearls are generally small in size. Till date the largest blue pearl found is of 10mm in tooth like shape. Being small in size it is expensive as it has luminous luster. The common size of these pearls falls between 2.0 - 5.0mm.
The blue pearls are hemispherical in shape. It is found usually in baroque shape that is irregular shape. It is important to know that no two pearls shall have same shape. The most desirable and preferred shape of pearls irrespective of colour is round but blue pearls are seldom found round.
The price of these pearls is always high even after not consisting perfect round shape and large size. The reason being its amazing natural colour and eye catching luster is treasured most. After all it is cultivated from the most beautiful shellfish ‘ paua’.
Last but the most important aspect of blue pearl is precaution and care. These pearls are very delicate having the hardness of 2.5 - 4 Mohs. These are comparatively less durable than the gemstones therefore, cannot be worn always. It is suitable to wear pearl jewelry just for couple of hours. After use, wipe it off with dry lint-free cloth and store in a separate velvet or satin bag. Do not keep any other jewelry in the same bag except for pearls items. Always store it in dry place, away from moisture. It is advisable to restring the pearls once in two years before the silk thread weakens.
Avoid exposure of blue pearls to all sorts of chemicals like cosmetics, hair sprays and perfumes etc. Wear blue pearl jewelry in the last after getting completely ready. Do not wear it on hot summer days or when sweating happens most else it might spoil the pearl. And protect it from sharp blows and scratches. It is recommended to wear pearl jewelry at least once in a month as it requires fresh air to maintain its glow.
Blue pearls forms versatile and exquisite jewelry pieces to enhance the beauty of the women. Women with any skin type and complexion can wear these jewelry. Blue pearls jewelry when worn by white skin females holds other people’s breathe as she looks stunningly beautiful. So wear the blue and get beautiful !!!
hola soy aldana me encantan las perlas y las amo