Pearls are one of the most exquisite and precious stones you may wear, making them a stunning and traditional piece of jewelry.
Here are ten pearl facts that may surprise you!
Pearls Have a Long History
Pearls have been worn since the very early days of civilization. The earliest piece of pearl jewelry was found in 520 BC.
They were trendy during the Roman Empire, and wealthy women at the time would have worn jewelry and clothing adorned with pearls.
History also says that Cleopatra dissolved a pearl in wine and drank it to prove her love for Marc Antony.
Pearls Come from a Living Creature
This shiny organic gemstone is generated within the shells of mollusks such as oysters and mussels when a little bit of sand enters into the mollusk. Nacre, a shiny and glittering material, is secreted around the object to preserve the fragile creature inside the surface. A pearl is generated when a particle of sand is coated and covered with nacre.
Freshwater pearls are typically produced by mussels, whereas oysters usually make saltwater pearls.
Despite being categorized as a gemstone, pearls are different from sapphires, rubies, emeralds, etc. Pearls are the only jewels that come from a living organism.
Shapes of Pearls
Pearls come in various shapes, and Round-shaped pearls are undoubtedly the most popular, rarest, and most valuable ones.
Types of Pearls
There are four main types of pearls based on size, shape, color, and value.
Freshwater pearls are grown in rivers and lakes across China and are the most widely available pearls.
Japanese Akoya pearls: These saltwater pearls are best-known globally, and they are produced in Japanese and Chinese waters.
Tahitian pearls: These saltwater pearls are cultivated in the islands of French Polynesia. They come in beautiful shades of grey, blue, green, and purple.
South Sea pearls: These are the largest pearls with white, cream, and golden hues. They are found in the waters of Australia and the Philippines.
The Most Famous Pearl
La Peregrina, which means “The Incomparable,” is the world’s most renowned pearl. It was discovered in America, and it is a massive pear-shaped pearl the size of a pigeon’s egg. Many prominent individuals have held it over the years, including Mary Tudor of England, Phillip II of Spain, and Napoleon III. Elizabeth Taylor is thought to have been the final owner of this beautiful jewel.
The Most Expensive Pearl
The world’s most costly pearl was hidden beneath the bed for ten years as a good luck charm until being discovered in 2016 after the house was burnt down. A fisherman found the pearl inside a giant clam off the coast of the Philippines. It is the big pearl known to exist, measuring 26 inches long and weighing approximately 75 pounds.
Most Pearls Are Grown On Farms
Approximately 95 percent of pearls on the market today are “cultivated,” which means they are developed from mollusks.
Tsunamis, ocean pollution, and other reasons have harmed natural pearls.
Natural Pearls are Incredibly Rare
Pearls are found in just one out of every 10,000 wild oysters, making them rare and difficult to find. On the other hand, Pearls may be artificially farmed to suit the demands of the jewelry market.
Beliefs about Pearls
These natural jewels are said to have the power of protection, luck, money, love, knowledge, strength, connections, and safety.
According to Chinese myth, pearls were thought to fall from the sky as dragons fought. Greeks believe that wearing pearls would enhance a marriage.
World’s Most Influential Women – Huge Fans of Pearls
Queen Mary and Cleopatra were both huge fans and pearl collectors. First Ladies Michelle Obama and Jackie Kennedy wore costly pearl jewelry. Princess Diana was also known to be a lover of pearls. Coco Chanel was a fashion pioneer who helped to popularize pearls as daily jewelry.
