The delicate, lustrous beauty of the pearl has captured the imagination of men and women since the dawn of time. This gorgeous gem is formed when an irritant becomes trapped inside the shell of a mollusk, and a protective coating of nacre is formed around the object. Pearls are one of the few jewelry items to remain continuously in fashion through the centuries. It is easy to see why. They delight the eye and flatter the wearer, a true gift from nature.

For centuries, coral-- like pearl, a gift of the sea-- was classed among the precious gems valued by man. Not strictly a mineral, coral is an organic substance, composed of the skeletons of millions of tiny marine animals. In its natural state, coral is plantlike in appearance and grows in warm water at depths of up to ninety feet. In hue, it varies from white, to pink, to red or orange, to black. Coral jewelry is known from the Egyptian, Biblical, Classical and Islamic periods. Coral is used as a heart stimulant, as an antidote for fevers and toxins in the body, and for preventing vomiting, colic, and childhood diseases. Its mysterious strength seems to derive from its organic source material, the accumulated energy of living things.

Named for its resemblance to the glittering eye of the jungle feline, tiger's eye (also called cat's eye) is a variety of chalcedony. It is felt to have a beneficial effect on the spleen, the pancreas, the digestive organs and the colon. Emotionally, the gem is a balancer, one which enhances the connection with power and the will. It grounds and centers the feelings of those who wear it, and helps soften stubbornness. As befits a stone resembling an eye, the gem enhances insight and clear perception. Anyone choosing to wear this fabled stone will be rewarded with improved internal vision and the admiring glances of all who see the gem.