BASRA PEARLS - Priceless Natural Pearls

Spherical, silvery white like the moon and iridescent like the rainbow, the Basra pearl in various shades and overtones of gold, pink and peach, is truly the queen of pearls! The most precious and sought-after variety of natural pearls, is the lightest variety of pearl and its purity and colour are often compared to that of the full moon.

Originally found abundantly in the waters of the Persian Gulf, it was traded in Al Basra, a city in modern Iraq, from which it derives its name. However, overharvesting and widespread oil refineries in the region of the Persian Gulf have resulted in a drastic depletion of the marine eco system in which the oysters thrive. Currently, Basra pearls are also harvested in the waters off the coasts of Sri Lanka, Japan and Australia. Since they are increasingly difficult to harvest, Basra peals are terrifically expensive. Currently, the price of Basra pearls per carat start from ₹ 15,000 per carat ($230 approx.) and can go up to ₹ 1 lakh per carat ($1540 approx.)

The Basra pearl has been an eternal  favourite with royalty, celebrity and the rich and famous across the world. Maharaja Khanderao Gaekwad of Baroda commissioned a Basra pearl canopy embossed with 9,50,000 Basra pearls and an assortment of rubies, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds. Recently, it was sanctioned at Christies for $2.2 million USD (Rs. 15.6 crores). 

In Vedic astrology, the pearl represents the Moon, which denotes serenity, calm, love and contentment like a mother.  The Basra pearls endow the wearer with peace of mind, serenity, wisdom, integrity, spirituality, modesty, empathy, harmony and dignity.

Cosmic colour: Orange
Element: Water
Chakra: Swasithana