Pearls - sophisticated or inhumane?
Pearls have been connoted with elegance and style since they were discovered. Worn by royals, aristocracy, and rich people, pearls became an indication of wealthiness, eventually increasing their value. But how are they made, and is it really cruelty-free? Margaritiferidae (mussels that bear pearls) produce pearls if a foreign body enters the interior of its shell. Therefore Chinese fishermen put a grain of sand, which was continuously covered in subsequent layers. Modern methods are quite similar - instead of sand, pearl growers implant an artificial nucleus. In conclusion, it sounds quite harmless to force some shellfish to grow a pearl inside. Unfortunately, it is scientifically proven that making pearl harms the mussel, which does feel physical pain. Nowadays pearl extraction improved to the point, where the shellfish doesn't have to die - the pearl can be pulled out and the mussel can be 'reused'. Moreo...