On Shells and Gemstones

[chargirlgenius]

I don’t know if it’s a recent trend, or just something I’ve only just noticed. But as of late, there have been a lot of people referring to members of the Order of the Pearl* as bivalves. At first, I thought it was just a clever little joke, but being as pedantic as I am, it eventually started to kind of bug me.

Don’t get me wrong. People I love and adore very much use this nickname, and I don’t think any less of them for doing so, rather I just want to express my opinion on the matter. Because that’s what I do. :-D

Moving on. We are not bivalves. Bivalves, or oysters, clams, scallops, mussels, etc., themselves, are common, not rare, nor particularly valued. If anything, they’re eaten, and then the shells are discarded. But there’s nothing very special about your average mussel. (I know some connoisseurs might beg to differ…)

But the pearls inside! The pearls are the unique and extraordinary part! Not ever oyster grows a pearl. Some are natural pearls, some are cultured, but all are considered gemstones.

The Pearls of Atlantia are gemstones. We’re not just mussels to be bought by the bucket and discarded. Although, if you attend court at Twelfth Night is might *seem* like there are bucketfuls of Pearls up front when our numbers are increased. ;-) Each one is a gem, beautiful and valued, much more than a simple bivalve.


*Kingdom-level arts and sciences order in Atlantia

Comments

[beatrixherald.livejournal.com]

No Matter How you feel about the topic, Charlie expressed it in a VERY eloquent (as usual) way.

I think some people can get a little "uppity" about their awards, and having silly little nicknames is a great way to show your humility.

We'll see if the same is true when the silly nicknames are about me. ;)

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

Oh, certainly. But I like *correct* silly nicknames. Like "Nacreous Irritant".