HISTORY OF PEARLS

Throughout history, the pearl has been one of the most highly prized and sought after gems. Countless references to pearls can be found in religions and mythology of many cultures from the earliest times. Pearls have been used in pearl necklaces, pearl earrings and pearl rings, in every known civilization.

Ancient Egyptians prized pearl jewelry so much they were buried with it. In ancient Rome, pearls were considered the ultimate symbol of wealth and social standing. The Greeks held the pearl in high esteem for both its unrivaled beauty and its association with love and marriage. During the Dark Ages, knights often wore pearls onto the battlefield. They believed that the magic possessed by pearl jewelry would protect them from harm.

During the Renaissance, since pearls were so highly regarded, a number of European countries passed laws forbidding the wearing of pearl jewelry by others outside of the nobility. During the European expansion into the New World, the discovery of pearls in Central American waters added to the wealth of Europe. Unfortunately, greed and lust for the sea grown gems resulted in the depletion of virtually all the American pearl oyster populations by the 17th Century.

Until the early 1900’s, natural pearls were accessible to only the rich and famous. Strands of pearls, pearl necklaces, pearl bracelets, pearl rings, pearl earrings, and pearl pins were a popular choice of the European monarchy.

Unlike gemstones produced deep inside the Earth, pearls are created by living creatures called mollusks. Mollusks commonly have a soft, unsegmented body and a hard exterior shell, such as a clam or snail has. The evolutionary history of this group extends back some 530 million years, with approximately 100,000 species of mollusks alive today.

Any mollusk that produces a shell can produce a pearl. Nevertheless, natural pearls are rare, found in perhaps one of every 10,000 animals. The cultured pearl industry, which has flourished since the early 20th century, has developed techniques to greatly improve these odds. Indeed, more cultured pearls are produced now than at any time in human history. When cultured pearls first appeared on the market, they were viewed as second rate imitations.

Modern technology now produces cultured pearls that can even exceed natural pearls in beauty and size. Pearl jewelry can now be purchased made of pink pearls or black pearls and shades of green, blue and black. Tahitian pearls, Akoya pearls, South Sea Island pearls, among the best in the world, are available in stunning pearl necklaces, pearl earrings, pearl bridal sets, pearl rings, pearl bracelets, and many styles of pearl jewelry for any occasion.