In days of old, it was said that a king adorned with a diamond of the finest sort, shining brilliantly like a flash of lightning, would appear most pleasing and resplendent. Thus concluded the chapter that described the examination of diamonds and other precious gems, as taught in the Ācārakāṇḍa of the great Garuḍa Purāṇa. Now, let us turn to the wondrous origins of pearls. Pearls, it is told, arise from many sources: elephants, clouds, boars, conch shells, fish, serpents, oysters, and even bamboo. Yet, among all these, the true source of each type of gem is firmly rooted in only one place. Some pearls are produced from the skin, from salt, from serpents, and from whales; others are born from the conch and the boar. In truth, there are eight kinds of pearls, as recognized by those wise in the discernment of gems. A pearl from the conch shell takes on the color of its origin, is large, and possesses a pleasing, rounded form. Those known as 'kambavaḥ' belong to the lineage of the finest conch, one that has been touched at its mouth by a bowstring. Among these, a pale, round pearl arises, though it lacks luster. Pearls are also known to form in the mouths of aquatic creatures, with such fish dwelling in the heart of the ocean. Sometimes, in certain regions of the earth, a rare pearl is found, remarkable in its resemblance to a boar. Pearls from bamboo are said to grow only in places favored by divine beings, never in common locations. These possess a radiance like perfectly polished silver, their brilliance keen as the edge of a sword. There are also the lustrous pearls that arise from the heads of serpents, produced by the virtuous. When a great protective ritual is performed, it is done atop a lofty mansion. In such moments, the sky appears covered with treasures, hanging down and weighed low by the clouds. If the pearl born from a serpent’s head remains within its hood, it is often coveted and harmed by others. Its radiance, spreading in all directions, is like the blazing sun, and its disk seems to manifest in the very sky itself. This pearl shines as brightly in the day as it does in the deepest darkness of night. Such is its wonder that even if the whole earth were filled with gold, its value could not be measured. Whoever possesses it enjoys the entire earth, free from rivals, for as long as the pearl remains with him. For a thousand yojanas in every direction, it wards off every misfortune. Of all the colors, the purest is like the color of milk that fell from the best of cows. That seed, carried from its original source, enters the oyster. When streams of milk-water rain upon it, the seed resting within the oyster transforms into a pearl. These are the pearls of Simhalika, Paralaukika, Saurashtra, Tamraparna, and Parashava. Oysters yield pearls that do not lack for color, and are distinguished by their size, shape, quality, and luster. The wise do not trouble themselves over the peculiarities of pearls produced from mines, but instead consider their form and size. Of these oyster-born, lustrous pearls, and another just slightly lighter in weight—if it is short by half a māṣa, its value is reduced by two-fifths. If it exceeds by half or by two māṣas, its value becomes a thousand and three hundred times greater. If it exceeds by half a māṣa, its value becomes twenty-three hundred; if it is heavier by one and a half māṣas, its value is one hundred, provided it is of proper quality. A pearl lighter by sixteen units is called a 'dārvika' by experts. If it is lighter by twice ten, it is known as 'bhavaka.' A full weight of thirty is called 'śikya,' and if it is forty, its value is thirty. Sixty is called 'nikaraśīrṣa,' with values of fourteen, eleven, and nine, respectively, as determined by the wise. To purify pearls, one must gather them all and, using a food vessel, cook them with the juice of the jambīra fruit. Place them inside a clay-smeared fish vessel and cook again; afterwards, use a vessel prepared with cat’s excrement. Then, by rubbing the pearls with a pure, spotless cloth, they become clean and endowed with abundant excellent qualities and radiant luster. And just as silver, when alloyed with a hundred parts of gold, becomes like white glass, so too do pearls, when properly cared for, attain their highest beauty and worth.