Woman's day: Why?

A group of us came together on the 9th of August to commemorate Woman's Day. On this day we reflect and think about the plight of women today. Still having to fight against the same old stereotypes have some women feeling angry and disheartened. They had enough of an archaic system and the fact that there seems to be zero change. Seeing and hearing horrific stories from our sisters daily, bring home this sad state of affairs.

My sentiments are the same and I agree with and see everybody's point of view even though our approach may differ. While I have moments of despair, I still have hope. Like everything else, we also fight our battles in different ways. For me, confrontation was never one of my strong points. This does not mean that I accept any disrespect from anybody and I practise setting clear boundaries. Everybody and not just women, should use their own talents and platforms to fight for equality. As long as we do fight and not be complacent. A luta continua.

This year I was invited to give a talk at Suzie's Coffee Shop with the theme: Jy as Vrou. Kosbaarste Perel. Ontdek opnuut jou Waarde as Vrou.

As a token of appreciation, I was gifted a copy of Juanita Oostendorp's memoir UNDER THE MULBERRY TREE. I started reading it the same evening and I could not put it down. It takes immense bravery to tell your story with such honesty, but it is YOUR story. We are sometimes silenced by societal taboos but the pain of carrying secrets has a devastating effect on our psyche as well as our body.

Juanita's book is a testament of courage and her indomitable spirit. Thank you.

I do not want to publish my full talk here, but I would like to share some interesting facts about pearls.

PEARLS: A Symbol of New Beginnings or a Symbol of Tears?

My fascination with pearls started very early in my life. There was always this almost magical attraction to these unassuming jewels. I used to wear a single strand of pearls to school, it almost became part of my uniform. One day a school parent brought some jewellery she has made to generate some income. Her sales pitch included that she saw me wearing the same string of beads every day. Of course I supported her, but continued wearing "the same string of beads" most days.

History of Pearls

Nobody knows who "discovered" pearls, but it is speculated that it was probably found by ancient people looking for food along the beach. According to Google, pearls were given as gifts to Chinese royalty as early as 2300 BC. The Egyptians and Romans discovered it's worth as early as 5 400 years BC and started using pearls for adornment.

Pearls are classified as jewels, but it is unique because it is formed in a living organism, the oyster. Pearls are not mined from the earth like other jewels, but from the depths of the sea. Unlike sapphires, emeralds, rubies etc, that have to be polished to reveal it's beauty, pearls emerge perfectly polished and glowing from the shell.

Types of Pearls

• White and Gold South Sea Pearls

• Tahitian or Black Pearls

• Japanese Akoya Pearls; the icon of Cultured Pearls

• Freshwater Pearls from the rivers and lakes of China. These pearls are grown in mussels instead of oysters and cost a fraction of the price of South Sea pearls.

Kokichi Mikimoto discovered in 1893 how to grow pearls. This caused a revolution in the Pearl industry because the natural source of pearls produced only 2 to 3 pearls of jewellery quality for every 3 tons of oysters. It takes about 18 to 24 months to produce a pearl harvest and not all pearls are jewellery quality. Pearls are still very expensive; a string of Mikimoto pearls, for example can cost anything from R55,000 and about R1000 for a single pearl pendant.

Freshwater pearls from China are much more affordable as a similar string can cost from R1400 opposed to the R55,000 for Mikimoto pearls and a whopping R1,400,000 for South Sea pearls.

Historically, we encounter various references to pearls. The parable of the pearl in the Bible likens the Kingdom of heaven to a precious pearl. Matt. 13:45-46 and in Matt.7:6 we are cautioned not to throw our pearls to swine as it will be trodden under their feet. Many old paintings reflect the wearing of pearls by "Royalty" and "Nobility" as well as in a striking Vermeer portrait: "Girl with a Pearl Earring." In literature there are many stories around and with references to pearls as in John Steinbeck's "The Pearl."

White pearls simbolize innocence, beauty, loyalty and new beginnings and is therefor seen as the ideal jewellery for a bride. Pink pearls symbolize love and kindness; blue pearls loyalty, calmness and bravery. Black pearls symbolize enduring love.

Grading of Pearls

• Elite/Jewellery quality: Only 0,3% of a yearly pearl harvest make this grade. It is perfectly round, with a high sheen and no visible marks on the pearls.

• AAA- quality: Only 1% of the yearly harvest.

• AA+ quality: Only 5% of the yearly harvest.

• AA quality: 10% of the harvest.

• A quality: Commercial grading; visibly un-round, sheen between average and poor with visible marks on the pearls.

Four ways to test if your pearls are real.

• Uniformity: Real pearls are not identical but have small imperfections if you look closely. Costume pearls are identical and perfectly round.

• Weight: Real pearls feel heavier than their costume counterparts.

• Temperature: Real pearls, when not around your neck, will feel cooler than the surrounding temperature.

• Real pearls feel gritty against your teeth while costume pearls feel smooth.

More interesting facts about pearls:

• Pearls come in different shapes namely Round, Half-round, Button, Pear, Drop, Oval, Baroque and Ringed. Perfectly round is the most valuable and preferred shape.

• Different lengths of pearls: Collar, Choker, Princess, Matinee, Opera and Rope.

• Pearl is the birth stone for those born in June and symbolizes chastity and loyalty. It is believed that the wearer of pearls grows in integrity and spirituality.

• The colour of pearls depend on the inside of the oyster or mussel in which it grows. Colours can vary from White to Gold and from Purple to Black.

There are many pearl-quotes like "Pearls are always appropriate." Jackie Onassis and "Every woman needs ropes and ropes of pearls." Coco Chanel, but I will conclude with this one:

"Just like a pearl made from an oyster, all of the imperfections of our being and the attacks received from the outside world work together to create an amazing heart that is unique to you. It is time to open your shell and show your pearl to the world."

Loving kindness till we chat again.

Shirley Rose