The highest praise given to their colour is for them to be called alum-coloured. The longer ones also have a charm of their own. It is established that small pearls of poor colour grow in Britain, since the late lamented Julius desired it to be known that the breastplate which he dedicated to Venus Genetrix in her temple was made of British pearls. If the oyster is in a state of fear from lightning, hail, or some other reason while the seed-pearl is developing, the final pearl will be somewhat flattened from its usual sphericity and lacking in its customary color. While still in the water, a pearl is soft in consistency, but after exposure to air it hardens to a stony durability.
Oysters emerge in droves to absorb the pearl-inducing dew.
Pearls that are dropped into vinegar grow soft and eventually dissolve. The best pearls come from the Orient. Cujus adornatum laudatur candida forma Cum deceat vestes, deceat nichilominus aurum. In coelum, patulae rores haurire supernos Ex quibus orbiculi candentes concipiuntur. Obscurat fetus concharum grandior aetas.