![[Pearl pic.png|250]] **Pearls** were not mined, they were the product of [oysters](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Oyster "Oyster") or other mollusks, but they were treated like gemstones ## Description Pearls were formed of layers of [tchazar](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Tchazar "Tchazar") ([aragonite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:aragonite "wikipedia:en:aragonite")) around a bit of grit or other irritant, growing inside a mollusk over the span of a few years. This slow process gave pearls a smooth surface with a deep, rich luster. Pearls were predominantly white but did occur in other colors such as gold, pink, or silver; rainbow and black being the most rare and valuable. The unique brilliant green pearls of the [emerald oyster](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Emerald_oyster "Emerald oyster") were valued at 500 [gold pieces](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Gold_piece "Gold piece") and above. Over-sized pearls 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) were frequently flawed in some way and not as valuable. One exception to this was a perfect head-sized pearl that was enchanted to become a [[Crystal Ball]] . A typical pearl has a base value of 100 gp to 500 gp,) depending on market value. | Roll | Color | Base Value | | ----- | ------- | ---------- | | 1-50 | White | 150gp | | 51-65 | Gold | 200gp | | 66-75 | Pink | 250gp | | 76-80 | Silver | 350gp | | 81-89 | Rainbow | 400gp | | 90-98 | Green | 450gp | | 99-00 | Black | 500gp | ## Currency Certain underwater races used pearls as currency rather than coins. The value of this currency changed according to several factors: the size of the pearl, measured from a standard of 0.25 inches (6.4 millimeters); its rarity; and quality. In the [Sea of Fallen Stars](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Sea_of_Fallen_Stars "Sea of Fallen Stars"), the value of a pearl was determined primarily by its color: - white pearl, or "seyar": 1 cp undersea and 2 sp ashore; - yellow pearl, or "hayar": 1 sp undersea and 2 gp ashore; - green pearl, or "tayar": 1 gp undersea and 20 gp on land; - blue pearl, or "nuyar": 5 gp undersea and 100 gp on land; - olive pearl, or "olmar", 7 inches (18 centimeters) long, 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) wide, and diamond-shaped: 500 gp undersea and over 2,000 gp ashore ## Notable Users of Pearls ### Magic - Pearls were used as a [material component](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Material_component "Material component") in many [spells](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Spell "Spell"), particularly those that reduced acids to plain water, and _[neutralize poison](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Neutralize_poison "Neutralize poison")_. Crushed to a powder, pearls were used in creating all types of magic mirrors. Well-known magical items included the _[pearl of power](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Pearl_of_power "Pearl of power")_, the _[pearl of the sirines](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Pearl_of_the_sirines "Pearl of the sirines")_ and the _[pearl of wisdom](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Pearl_of_wisdom "Pearl of wisdom")_. - Pearls were used to create _[periapts of wisdom](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Periapt_of_wisdom "Periapt of wisdom")_, common magical amulets often found in possession of high-ranking clergy. ### Races & Sentient Creatures - Pearl was a common stone among the [drow](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Drow "Drow"), a gem worn by drow of average station, albeit they used only those of black, red, or deep mauve colors. - The [shalarin](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Shalarin "Shalarin") of [Serôs](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Ser%C3%B4s "Serôs") were known to craft [pearl armor](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Pearl_armor "Pearl armor") by transforming entire pieces of clothing into pearl using [giant clams](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Giant_clam "Giant clam"). ### Religions[](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Pearl?veaction=edit&section=6 "Edit section: Religions") - Pearls were considered sacred by followers of [Deep Sashelas](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Deep_Sashelas "Deep Sashelas") and [Dugmaren Brightmantle](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Dugmaren_Brightmantle "Dugmaren Brightmantle")—appropriate for sacrifice, or to be consecrated for use, or recognized as boons or omens when found. - White pearls were sacred to followers of [Savras](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Savras "Savras"). - Black pearls were sacred to followers of [Shargaas](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Shargaas "Shargaas") and [Vhaeraun](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Vhaeraun "Vhaeraun"). With the latter being known to occasionally send them to show his favor or disfavor to his followers. - The temple complexes of [Blibdoolpoolp](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Blibdoolpoolp "Blibdoolpoolp") typically had large black pearls in them. Changes in their coloration were seen as favorable omens. - Clerics of [Tymora](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Tymora "Tymora") in [Amn](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Amn "Amn") used pearls, mainly black ones, as symbols of their goddess; this practice was considered nearly heretical by Tymoran clerics from other regions