“Treasure the love you receive above all. It will remain long after gold and health have been lost.” Mandino

In the early 70’s, I think, Mom and Pop took a trip around the world. They were gone for several weeks and travelled with a group led by a pastor/friend. I do not know where all they went, but, some of the places were: Japan, Greece, Thailand, England, with a final stop in Hawaii. Somewhere along the way, Mom bought this beautiful mother-of-pearl piece. As I remember, when she got home she took it to the jewelers and had it set to wear as a pendant.

When Joy and I were going through some of her things, we ran across this. That was the first time I remember seeing it in many, many years. She must not have enjoyed wearing it, I don’t ever recall seeing it on her. And, she was such a tiny lady that I am surprised that she even purchased a piece so big.
It is very much like something I would pick out for myself. But, nothing like she would have chosen for herself. She must have seen the beauty in it,though. Something must have caught her eye, and caused her to purchase it. But, what? Perhaps, it was one of those things that was just too beautiful to leave behind. Something that would have stayed in her mind if she had not made it her own.Perhaps, she, like myself, loved the way the light bounces around and through the layers. Maybe she, like myself, just liked the ‘feel’…the weight of it in her hand. I so wish I could ask her about it.

One side of it has the faintest golden coloration along the top and bottom. The other side is all cream and grey and iridescence. You can make out an oval marking off to one side. It is obvious it has been formed naturally…layer upon layer.

It is smooth all around and has beautiful coloration deep inside. It is weighty and lies perfectly in the palm of my hand. I brought it home and put it on a sterling chain that I already had. It is not as fine as the white gold setting it is in, but it will do for now. Every time I wear it, someone asks about it.

It feels good against my skin, and I like the weight of it next to my heart. It is beautiful and I am happy just to have it near me.

It is surely a piece that is worthy to be a family heirloom. And, so it shall. I will pass it on to Suzanne, and it will be for her to pass down when the time comes. But, until then, it will stay close to me.

I have never done research on stones and their ‘meanings’ …and I wonder who originally decided on such….or just who, other than God, himself, would be qualified. I certainly do not believe in the ‘power’ that some attach to stones such as crystals. This info came from Wikipedia, and I pass it along merely as an interesting theory.

The Meaning of Mother of Pearl:
It signifies faith, charity, and innocence, enhances personal integrity, and helps to provide focus to ones attention. The pearl has been known as a “stone of sincerity”, bring truth to situations and loyalty to a “cause”. It has been used to inhibit boisterous behavior, and to provide a reflection of the self such that one may see the manner in which one appears to others.

This is a great protective stone. It signifies a mother’s love and protection of her child.

WHITE absorbs all the rays and is therefore cooling and restful.

Wear Mother of Pearl for Protection

Mother-of-Pearl helps to stimulate intuition, sensitivity, imagination, and adaptability. It helps with clarity in decision making. Mother of Pearl stirs and awakens the primordial memory of your origin in the infinite ocean of divine love. It stirs this memory in your thoughts, your feelings, and in every cell of your physical body….produces an overall calming effect as it gently stirs the life energy of your cells. Like waves lapping the shore, this stirring is steady, relaxing, and rhythmical.

Now, that is very interesting, indeed…but I put no stock at all in its validity.

HOWEVER…this particular stone does have an effect on me.

It causes me to stop and reflect a moment on the beauty in the natural world. It reminds me that the ‘Great Art of God’ is more beautiful than any that man can attempt to copy. It reminds me that the ‘things of God’ have their own distinctive beauty. It brings to mind the ocean and all the beauty and peace that I find in the rolling waves and soft, white sand. It suggests to me that perhaps my sense of the aesthetic was influenced by my Mother. It reminds me that an ‘eye for beauty’ was a trait my Mom encouraged in me. It reminds me of the wisdom and beauty and grace that was she. It causes my heart to be flooded with memories. It reminds me that I am blessed.