Natural pearls continue to be one of the rarest and most precious gems on earth. Since ancient times, the pearl has been a symbol of unblemished, yet unique perfection. The Latin word for pearl literally means “unique.”
Because they are tiny organic miracles, many superstitions have surrounded the unusual gems. The Chinese believe that pearls are a symbol of great wisdom and were created by oysters catching raindrops as they fell in the sea. Pearls are said to bring wealth, long life, and help to those who wear them. Another common belief is that they ward off evil.
The history of the discovery of pearls dates back hundreds of centuries. Mention of them has been found in ancient texts all over the world. As far back as 2300 B.C., Chinese records indicate that pearls were highly valued an
d often given to royalty as gifts. The Indians claimed in ancient Hindu texts that the God Krishna discovered the first pearl. In Rome, pearl jewelry was a treasured jewel and was only allowed to be worn by those above a certain rank. Although the Egyptians first used mother-of-pearl as a decorative jewel, the use of the pearl itself was not discovered until a fragment of the oldest known pearl jewelry was found in the tomb of a Persian princess who died in 520 B.C.
The first pearl trade began in the Indian Ocean thousands of years ago and reigned for nearly 4000 years. Because pearl oysters live deep in the ocean, gathering them was a hazardous and sometimes fatal task. For this reason, the duty of pearl diving was given to slaves, whose lives were thought of as more expendable than the higher class. Sharks, jellyfish and other dangerous sea creatures were terrifying but common obstacles for these divers.
Thanks to advancements in pearl cultivation, growing, and harvesting, pearls are not limited only to royalty and the extremely wealthy. Today, you can wear the same beautiful pearls that were once restricted to kings and queens!
White Akoya Pearl Double Strand Necklace
US Retail Value: $ 444
ShangBy Price: $ 111
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