Pearl

I want to start with observation that Pearl didn't shape-shifted through whole series at all. Even the smallest part of her body wasn't shape-shifted. Where we saw in the show that even Steven (as half-gem and half-human) was able to shape shift his fingers in season 1 and whole body at the end of season 2.

SO! What if Pearls just can't do it?  :?:

Its quite possible that Pearls can't shapeshift,perhaps going along with the nature of their mail-to-order creation.Pearls could be an unchanging symbol of status,and shapeshifting could affect that.Maybe its a special feature that only some Gems can do.After all the only Gems who we have seen do it are Garnet,Amethyst,and Steven.Steven and Amethyst have Quartz Gems so it could tie into their designation as Soliders.Maybe Garnet gets her shapeshifting abilities from Ruby,who is a more basic solider.

However its also possible that Pearl is just uncomfortable with the notion.Maybe she had to do it alot for her previous owner and it makes her uncomfortable to do so now that she is free.

ArcNitemare wrote:

Its quite possible that Pearls can't shapeshift,perhaps going along with the nature of their mail-to-order creation.Pearls could be an unchanging symbol of status,and shapeshifting could affect that.Maybe its a special feature that only some Gems can do.After all the only Gems who we have seen do it are Garnet,Amethyst,and Steven.Steven and Amethyst have Quartz Gems so it could tie into their designation as Soliders.Maybe Garnet gets her shapeshifting abilities from Ruby,who is a more basic solider.

However its also possible that Pearl is just uncomfortable with the notion.Maybe she had to do it alot for her previous owner and it makes her uncomfortable to do so now that she is free.

Those are great explanations but I the most strongly would go with them not having this ability programmed into them.

I'm sure of it especially after watermelon island episode. When island was breaking into parts it looked like Pearl wanted to catch Jasper - she really made attempt to do so - but she could only do that shape-shifting since Jasper got too far for our Pearl to just grab her hand like Amethyst did with Lapis. So Pearl is unable to shape-shift even if she really wanted to?

Ah Peal. One of my faves.

Anyway, she said earlier in the series that all gems have the ability to shapeshift. What if she IS able to but just no longer will, because something traumatic happened to her while she shape shifted? Something scarred her and she can't bring herself to do it, no matter what is going on - even Jasper slipping away.

Another thought on why she didn't shapeshift to grab Jasper because 1) she was too exhausted to exert anymore energy after being Alexandrite and 2) there was so much going on around her and Jasper isn't her top priority, so she didn't put her focus on her. She was too worried about Steven and the other gems when the earth was cracking thanks to the cluster.

Honestly, any of these ideas as to why Pearl doesn't shapeshift is as good as any other.

Rose Quartz wrote:

there was so much going on around her and Jasper isn't her top priority, so she didn't put her focus on her. She was too worried about Steven and the other gems when the earth was cracking thanks to the cluster.

Spoiler:

How is that not focusing on trying to save Jasper?

Because prior to those pictures, she's grabbing onto Steven and Garnet and looking at Amethyst to make sure everyone is still together and probably trying to process what's going on. Then she realises that she didn't have hold of Jasper and tried to grab her but didn't make much of an effort.

If we're really going to get into the nitty gritty as to why Pearl didn't put much effort in to save her is probably because the Crewniverse are going to do more with Jasper and we are going to see her later. She's not dead nor is she bubbled. She's just "missing" again until the Crewniverse want her to re-emerge. Pearl didn't grab her because that's not how they want the plotline to go in regards to Jasper. They don't want her right away with the Crystal Gems. Peridot needed her time, Lapis will probably need her time, and then Jasper will have hers. They have this all very carefully crafted right down to minute details.

I mean in all fairness, yes, Jasper could be dead but right now, I don't think so.

Rose Quartz wrote:

I mean in all fairness, yes, Jasper could be dead but right now, I don't think so.

I agree on it. I don't think they would kill Jasper off like that. Crewniverse clearly have plans for her character. And I am more after theory she has now cracked gem and we will probably see her in episode "Alone at Sea" that is on wiki as one of 'Provisional Titles'

However I'm still wondering if all Pearls can't shape-shift/ don't like to do so OR is it just our Pearl since she's 'defective'.

Goldenevil91 wrote:

I agree on it. I don't think they would kill Jasper off like that. Crewniverse clearly have plans for her character. And I am more after theory she has now cracked gem and we will probably see her in episode "Alone at Sea" that is on wiki as one of 'Provisional Titles'

Yes, same! I think she's cracked and will very, very reluctantly go to Steven for help and will be healed. From there, she will develop a new respect for him and perhaps even a loyalty. It's gonna be a long, stubborn battle for her and for the Crystal Gems I'm sure.

Goldenevil91 wrote:

However I'm still wondering if all Pearls can't shape-shift/ don't like to do so OR is it just our Pearl since she's 'defective'.

That is a good point! She may not be able to shapeshift because she is a defective. It is true that she says all gems can shapeshift but she doesn't because she is defective. She wouldn't say to Steven "All gems can shapeshift but me because I am a "defective Pearl". She'd just group everyone together like normal but leave herself out.

Indeed. Especially when we see how different from two other Pearls our is.

1. her gemstone is oval

2. she is wearing colors of all diamonds. All main outfits we saw on Pearl plus her skin include all 4 colours of Diamonds. So maybe she's one of this so many Perals made for upper class of gems that are below Diamonds.

Goldenevil91 wrote:

2. she is wearing colors of all diamonds. All main outfits we saw on Pearl plus her skin include all 4 colours of Diamonds.  So maybe she's one of this so many Perals made for upper class of gems that are below Diamonds.

Huh. I actually never thought of that before but you're right. And her loyalty lies strongest with Rose Quartz.

Rose Quartz wrote:

Huh. I actually never thought of that before but you're right. And her loyalty lies strongest with Rose Quartz.

which do make you think what if Pearl was made for Rose or taken by Rose when they decided dhe is too defective to be proper Pearl-servant *cough* slave/tool *cough*

AND
I found post that very well shows her as Pearl of all diamond colours I couldn't find it earlier  :lol!:

Maybe she was a messenger for all the diamonds and wasn't assigned to anyone in particular. I could see that!

Hard to tell really. We don't know who she was before rebellion. Before being Crystal Gem. SO all we can do is wait for show to tell us.

We've seen that gems tend to be in colours of a) there gem and b) their diamond. I now wonder if she was a messenger or assigned to all of them.

She could be messenger or Pearls that don't belong directly to diamonds have more then one color on them.

Yellow diamonds pearls skin looked yellow so I'm wondering if Pearl is white diamonds

It would be suggested by her gem placement as well. However it do not explain pink diamond on her space uniform and why all her main outfits have 3-4 colour of diamonds.

So I just realized, when Pearl fuses with someone, she is the dominant personality. She's dominant in Opal, Sardonyx, and I'd argue Rainbow Quartz. Now that's interesting for a gem that's meant to be a servant and is driven by orders.

It may just be that the others are content to allow her. I wonder if they could take control. I was just rewatching the fusions dances and it really does look like its Pearl that's in control and has the mean eyes.

Addelyn wrote:

It may just be that the others are content to allow her. I wonder if they could take control. I was just rewatching the fusions dances and it really does look like its Pearl that's in control and has the mean eyes.

Well I mean, would Amethyst really be so willing to let Pearl control? They bickered a lot in Opal's debut.

I think that fusions take the best and worst traits, it really seems to depend on the fusion. Opal is stable, so she draws on more positive qualities so you see Pearl's more calm, analytical side. Amethyst calms her down so she doesn't get as wound up, hence Opal.

Rainbow Quartz I can't speak too much of because we don't know much about her, haven't seen much of her and we don't know Rose well enough either.

Sardonyx, we see Garnet's joking personality mixed with Pearl's slightly more outgoing, say stuff personality and both of their caring sides.

Sugalite on the other hand is probably one step above Malachite in terms of stableness. It draws on both Garnet and Amtheyst negative traits and tends to be more out of control than the other.

Alexandrite, well she seems to be their battle mode and is drawing on their will to protect Steven and work towards a goal. I think Garnet is the main personality there or Saphire.

I think Fusions show the best two gems (or more) can be together.

I mean we don't see big changes in fusions even if two (or more) games making fusion would go through personal growth and have better relationship with each other. Fusions remain the same as gems fuse for the first time. Only aesthetic parts of hair and outfit changes in fusions through time and that only because the gems making them reformed with different outfit.

The only fusion that had bigger changes lin look is Garnet - and she only changed her outfit and hair colours through time but main core of who she is and her body build remain the same as she first time came to be.

I think it's supposed to show the best but you have unstable fusions like Malachite or ones that are unruly like Sugalite

The best two gems can be do not mean good or stable

:>{ so i noticed that pearl points change the shape of Pearl's gem.
Normally her gem is oblong, oval-ish. On the Pearl Points, it's a perfect circle.
I don't know if this has any meaning or if it was just so her gem would fit more nicely on the cartoonized style of her head. Probably just the latter. But, it has been brought up that all the other Pearls have perfectly rounded gems, soooooo...... Maybe there's something there?

Although, I don't personally think that Pearl is considered defective because of her gem shape, I feel like that's just a coincidence. Partially because even when the fighting between Peridot and Pearl is at its worst, Peridot doesn't mention Pearl's gem shape at all, and that isn't something she would probably be considerate about at the time, considering.

Edit; I was curious if pearl points were used elsewhere on the internet, and found out there's a pearl point program for a jewelry store! Who knew?
https://www.pearlparadise.com/pages/pearl-points-program