A Few Thoughts on the Origin of Pearl from 'Steven Universe'

​Written by Shae

My obsessive nature with Steven Universe will probably never end, so today let's chat about the newest theory about our favorite show. Did you know that Rebecca Sugar came out and said that Steven Universe isn't a kids show? Turns out it's a show she intended it for the whole family. That's probably why it's evolved with us. The show has so many theories going on about it that it's hard to keep up. For some reason I find myself watching theory videos on the YouTube and that has had me re-watching the show. As it so happens, the latest theory centers around our beloved Pearl and her origin. While none of this is confirmed, it's still fun to speculate and talk about.

So what's going on? If you haven't watched the show, you should! Go do it now! Binge watch it all until your eyes bleed. Okay, not bleed, that's a bit overboard. Refresher though; Pearl is one of the original Crystal Gems. She's fought by Rose's side since the beginning and has an unrequited love for the dead leader. She's not a born fighter, in fact she learned to fight so that she could help protect Rose. Well many believe that Pearl didn't belong to Rose. Pearls seem to be made differently than other Gems and from what we've learned they belong to the best of the best. Actually, the show itself has only shown us three Pearls in total. Our Pearl, the Pearl belonging to Blue Diamond in a flashback, and the Pearl belonging to Yellow Diamond. These Pearls are all just as fancy as our Pearl and seem to belong to the Gem Matriarchy. If Pearl didn't belong to Rose than who was she made for?

Enter...White Diamond. Unfortunately there's not a lot we know about White Diamond, or any of the other Diamonds for that matter. We've gotten to see Blue and Yellow, at least. Yellow Diamond has had the most screen time, so far. White Diamond owning a Pearl is a given. But could it be our Pearl? Looking at the placement of the Diamonds' gems and their Pearls, Yellow and Blue Diamond have their gems on their chests, and where are their Pearls gems? On their chests. Yet, White Diamond has her gem on her forehead, where Pearl also has her gem. Coincidence? Maybe... Correlation? Definitely. Either way Pearl belonging to White Diamond is a possibility. She's clearly a gem belonging to nobility, we know this from how Peridot treated Pearl in the beginning. It makes a lot of sense that she would happen to belong to White Diamond. Regardless, Pearl was also called defective by Peridot. Does that mean Pearl was abandoned by the gem she was made to serve? Or is she defective because she became a rebel and started a war? Given Pearl's nature I almost believe she was abandoned. Her codependency boarders on clingy and unhealthy at times. She could also be that way because she was a gem made to serve another gem. Hell, she was flat out abandoned by Rose in so many ways. I don't believe she was made for Rose, but I do believe she met and fell in love for her hard.

Sadly we have a huge lack of evidence on all this. What we really know is that Pearl has a past she isn't sharing with anyone. She's hugely codependent despite anything. Above all, though, Pearl loves deeply. Whether it's her love for Rose or her love for the other gems, Pearl is a very caring gem. If Rose did "free" her, or even if she was discarded, Pearl ended up a Crystal Gem and she's no intention of ever stopping. Hopefully we eventually find out if Pearl was a gem belonging to White Diamond or not soon!

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