Origin

• Mustika pearls are commonly found in Indonesia, though there is no scientific explanation for that as of 2011. People had to sift through old spider nests for hours to find the stones. Believers in magical pearls claim this painstaking labor is guided by a shaman who has long been trained in the art of pearl gathering. Two famous sites for gathering magical pearls are the forests of Alas Purwo and Ketonggo in the Java region.
  
  

Physical Properties

• Spider pearls do not look like the lustrous, shiny pearls associated with jewelry. Spider pearls vary from the size of a pin-head to an oval the size of a quarter. They are typically spherical, but can be found in long ovals. Their texture is rough to the touch, though some spider pearls are tumbled to give them a smooth, polished appearance. Spider pearls are typically earthy colors, from black to light brown.
  
  

Uses

• Spider pearls have very few practical applications, but they can serve as decorative jewelry. Some Vedic healers and metaphysical practitioners claim spider pearls are especially powerful at protecting the wearer from negative influences. They also claim the pearls enhance the business and social skills of the wearer. Spiritualists classify spider pearls as a stone of the third ray, which links it to the heart chakra.
  
  

Price

• Spider pearls are exceedingly scarce, and the price can be quite high. Small pearls can sell for as much as $40 a stone, while larger stones of superior quality cost several hundred dollars. Ask for a certificate of authenticity before purchasing a mustika pearl. As of 2011, BezoarMustikaPearls.com, MustikaPearls.com and ManiZone.co.uk offer a wide selection of mustika pearls, including spider pearls.