Kilka językowo-kulturologicznych uwag o perłach współtworzących sztuczną biżuterię

Abstract

A phenomenon of organic stones, today regarded as precious stones, namely pearls, is the fact that they have never gone out of fashion. Their enduring popularity has been exploited by the creators of artificial jewellery, which – like real pearls and their imitations – has accompanied humans since ancient times. The subject of this article is comments on the names of pearls and terms associated with pearls incorporated into “secondary jewels”. In the Polish language one- and multi-word names have been preserved, among others for: a) different types of these (less frequently used) natural stones and their (more frequently used) artificial counterparts, b) morphic pearls, c) chromatic qualities of pearls, d) the quantity and quality of stones used, e) the type of framing of both organic and artificial stones, f) metal studded with pearls, g) the complementary properties of artificial and natural pearls, h) names that reflect the diversity of “secondary” jewellery “pearl” designations and details that co-create them. These names are further complemented by professional jewellers’ terms related to pearls that enrich these artificial items of value. All the linguistic testimony or “linguistic data” presented in this proposal allows for the redefinition, verification, complementation, modification and thus expansion of the concept of artificial jewellery.