Comments

|

E-mail

|

Print

According to the American Museum of Natural History, a pearl forms when an irritant such as a wayward food particle or foreign substance becomes trapped in the mollusk. The animal senses the object and coats it with layers of aragonite (“ah-RAG-uh-nite”) and conchiolin ( “KON-kee-uh-lin”) to protect itselt. These two materials are the same substances the animal uses to build its shell. These layers eventually form a pearl – a beautiful gem.

This process sounds very similar to the development of an adolescent girl into a woman.
Physical, mental, and emotional changes create layers that will eventually, and hopefully, evolve into a strong adult able to withstand all the obstacles and influences that face them each day.

They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors – as does the pearl- not just the perfectly round objects we see in stores. This diversity adds to the challenge, but creates an individualism and uniqueness that will be appreciated as they mature. And it needs to be respected, not criticized with negative words and actions.

Our friends at Agabhumi in Stamford have created “Pearl Girl” in collaboration with the Stamford Mayor’s Youth Initiative which promotes the anti-bullying message for pre-teens and teens in the city. Regina and Michael Kirshbaum, owners of Agabhumi, are offering a beautiful collection of pearl pieces, which symbolize strength, with fifteen percent of the proceeds benefiting Mayor Michael Pavia’s anti-bullying initiative. Regina says, “Bullying is so accelerated now with the technology available. But it still comes from the same, cowardly place it always has. Pearl Girl pieces are designed to make it easy to carry your strength with you.”

So remember, oysters are not the only type of mollusk that can produce pearls….Agabhumi does as well.
And for an even greater cause.

Agabhumi in Stamford (and New Haven opening in May)