Pearl

(Heb. gabish, Job 28:18; Gr. margarites, Matt. 7:6; 13:46; Rev. 21:21). The pearl oyster is found in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. Its shell is the “mother of pearl,” which is of great value for ornamental purposes (1 Tim. 2:9; Rev. 17:4). Each shell contains eight or ten pearls of various sizes.

(Heb. gabish). The Hebrew word in (Job 28:18) probably means “crystal.” Pearls, however are frequently mentioned in the New Testament, (Matthew 13:45; 1 Timothy 2:9; Revelation 17:4; 21:21) and were considered by the ancients among the most precious of gems, and were highly esteemed as ornaments. The kingdom of heaven is compared to a “pearl of great price.” In (Matthew 7:6) pearls are used metaphorically for anything of value, or perhaps more especially for “wise sayings.” (The finest specimens of the pearl are yielded by the pearl oyster (Avicula margaritifera), still found in abundance in the Persian Gulf and near the coasts of Ceylon, Java and Sumatra. The oysters grow in clusters on rocks in deep water, and the pearl is found inside the shell, and is the result of a diseased secretion caused by the introduction of foreign bodies, as sand, etc., between the mantle and the shell. They are obtained by divers trained to the business. March or April is the time for pearl fishing. A single shell sometimes yields eight to twelve pearls. The size of a good Oriental pearl varies from that of a pea to about three times that size. A handsome necklace of pearls the size of peas is worth,000. Pearls have been valued as high as,000 or,000 apiece.—ED.)

PEARL. The best pearls are produced by a shell-fish of the oyster species, though they are found in other mollusks. The pearl-oysters grow in clusters on rocks (hence called "pearlbanks") in the Persian Gulf, on the western coast of Ceylon, on the coasts of Java, Sumatra, etc., and in some parts of Europe. The shells are obtained by diving, and this is done by a class of persons trained to the business. The Ceylon pearl-fishery bank is about 15 miles from the shore, and 72 feet deep on an average. The fishery begins in April, when the sea is most calm, and continues five or six weeks. One shell contains from eight to twelve pearls. The largest are of the size of a walnut, but they are rarely as large as a cherry-stone. The shell of the pearl-oyster, or, more properly, the interior coat, is called "mother-of pearl." A single pearl has been valued at $350,000. Pearls were anciently, as now, used in the East as personal ornaments. 1 Tim 2:9; Rev 17:4; Rev 18:12-16. From the various illustrations in which the pearl is introduced in the N.T., it was evidently regarded as among the most precious substances, and, compared with gems, it was esteemed as more valuable than at present. Matt 7:6; Matt 13:45-46; Rev 21:21.

PEARL. The best pearls are produced by a shell-fish of the oyster species, though they are found in other mollusks. The pearl-oysters grow in clusters on rocks (hence called "pearlbanks") in the Persian Gulf, on the western coast of Ceylon, on the coasts of Java, Sumatra, etc., and in some parts of Europe. The shells are obtained by diving, and this is done by a class of persons trained to the business. The Ceylon pearl-fishery bank is about 15 miles from the shore, and 72 feet deep on an average. The fishery begins in April, when the sea is most calm, and continues five or six weeks. One shell contains from eight to twelve pearls. The largest are of the size of a walnut, but they are rarely as large as a cherry-stone. The shell of the pearl-oyster, or, more properly, the interior coat, is called "mother-of pearl." A single pearl has been valued at $350,000. Pearls were anciently, as now, used in the East as personal ornaments. 1 Tim 2:9; Rev 17:4; Rev 18:12-16. From the various illustrations in which the pearl is introduced in the N.T., it was evidently regarded as among the most precious substances, and, compared with gems, it was esteemed as more valuable than at present. Matt 7:6; Matt 13:45-46; Rev 21:21.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A fringe or border. [Obs.] -- v. t.

2. To fringe; to border. [Obs.] See Purl. Pearl stitch. See Purl stitch, under Purl.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A shelly concretion, usually rounded, and having a brilliant luster, with varying tints, found in the mantle, or between the mantle and shell, of certain bivalve mollusks, especially in the pearl oysters and river mussels, and sometimes in certain univalves. It is usually due to a secretion of shelly substance around some irritating foreign particle. Its substance is the same as nacre, or mother-of-pearl. Pearls which are round, or nearly round, and of fine luster, are highly esteemed as jewels, and compare in value with the precious stones.

2. Hence, figuratively, something resembling a pearl; something very precious. I see thee compassed with thy kingdom's pearl. Shak. And those pearls of dew she wears. Milton.

3. Nacre, or mother-of-pearl.

4. A fish allied to the turbot; the brill.

5. A light-colored tern.

6. One of the circle of tubercles which form the bur on a deer's antler.

7. A whitish speck or film on the eye. [Obs.] Milton.

8. A capsule of gelatin or similar substance containing some liquid for medicinal application, as ether.

9. A size of type, between agate and diamond. * This line is printed in the type called pearl. Ground pearl. (Zoöl.) See under Ground. -- Pearl barley, kernels of barley, ground so as to form small, round grains. -- Pearl diver, one who dives for pearl oysters. -- Pearl edge, an edge of small loops on the side of some kinds of ribbon; also, a narrow kind of thread edging to be sewed on lace. -- Pearl eye, cataract. [R.] -- Pearl gray, a very pale and delicate blue-gray color. -- Pearl millet, Egyptian millet (Penicillaria spicata). -- Pearl moss. See Carrageen. -- Pearl moth (Zoöl.), any moth of the genus Margaritia; -- so called on account of its pearly color. -- Pearl oyster (Zoöl.), any one of several species of large tropical marine bivalve mollusks of the genus Meleagrina, or Margaritifera, found in the East Indies (especially at Ceylon), in the Persian Gulf, on the coast of Australia, and on the Pacific coast of America. Called also pearl shell, and pearl mussel. -- Pearl powder. See Pearl white, below. -- Pearl sago, sago in the form of small pearly grains. -- Pearl sinter (Min.), fiorite. -- Pearl spar (Min.), a crystallized variety of dolomite, having a pearly luster. -- Pearl white. (a) Basic bismuth nitrate, or bismuth subchloride; - - used chiefly as a cosmetic. (b) A variety of white lead blued with indigo or Berlin blue.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To set or adorn with pearls, or with mother-of-pearl. Used also figuratively.

2. To cause to resemble pearls; to make into small round grains; as, to pearl barley.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To resemble pearl or pearls.

2. To give or hunt for pearls; as, to go pearling.

Part of speech: adjective (a.)

Of or pertaining to pearl or pearls; made of pearls, or of mother-of-pearl.