Blackfield Pearl
Blackfield pearls are a gigantic precious objects acquired from goliath blackfield mussels. These pearls are renowned for their size, rarity, and magical aura. They are not valued as gemstones, but the people of the Blackfields take great care when harvesting these precious materials.
These pearls are almost a pure white, with hints of colour, ranging from light pinks and reds, to blues and greens.
Blackfield pearls are created when irritants, such as small organisms or parasites, enter the mussel. The mussel's mantle, its protective membrane, secretes layers of aragonite, a crystal form of calcium carbonate. The aragonite is held together with conchiolin, a type of protein.
The result of this process is a pearl. It comes in many different shapes, very rarely spherical. These pearls are typically around a foot in diameter.
Pearl harvesters must climb up the mussel and enter it when open, hoping that the mussel will not close as they are inside. The pearl is extracted using large knives, and is slotted into a large bag, dragged out of the mussel. The bag is thrown out of the mussel before the harvester climbs out, as the pearl is valued higher than their life.
Cultural Value
These pearls are valued for their magical abilities. They never spoil, unlike real pearls, and when someone comes into contact with these pearls, small psychic flutters occur.
Blackfield pearls are kept a secret by the people of the Blackfields. Knowing that outsiders would find ways to mass-produce these pearls and destroy their value, these pearls are hidden from any tourists or visitors.
Remind me never to take a job where the output of the job is more important than my life. Great read!
Hehe, thank you! <3