The Pearl ~ A
Cultural Treasure Through the Ages
The Oldest Gemstone In The World
No other gem has captivated people's fascination and admiration
like the pearl. Diamonds may be forever, but pearls have been recognized
as prized jewels for centuries longer than any cut stone. Almost
all other gemstones are formed by mineral deposits that must be
mined, cut, and polished to reveal their sparkling beauty. Pearls,
on the other hand, are beautiful as they are - straight out of the
oyster, high quality pearls have an intense, brilliant luster and
shiny iridescence that are inherent in the pearl itself. For these
reasons, pearls have become a symbol of wisdom and natural beauty.
A Gift of Nature
Pearls are a natural wonder that have
been treasured for centuries by cultures ancient and modern all
over the world. Greek mythology proclaimed pearls to be tears of
joy shed by the goddess Aphrodite. Ancient Egyptians associated
pearls with Isis, the goddess of healing and life.
The Pearl was Prized by Rulers
and Royalty
Julius Caesar limited the wearing of Pearl Jewerly to the rulers of the
Roman Empire during the first century B.C. In the glory days of
the British Empire, only royalty were allowed to wear these lustrous
gems. Until fairly recently, pearls were still worn exclusively
by royalty and wealthy nobility, as they were far too expensive
for anybody else to afford.
Noted in Legends and Literature
Tribal Indians, too, believed that pearls were tears of their gods.
An Arab legend weaves a tale of dewdrops filled with moonlight that
fell into the ocean and were swallowed by oysters, creating the
precious pearls. The gates of Heaven are made of pearl, according
to the King James Bible. Pearls were rumored to cure hundreds of ailments. The list goes on and on. There
are many more references to the pearl in works of great literature,
and the lustrous jewels are often seen in famous paintings as jewelry,
hair decorations and clothing adornments.
Pearls have Always Been Valued
and Cherished
According to some historical accounts, Native Americans accepted
strings of beads in exchange for the island of Manhattan. A few
centuries later, in 1916, renowned French jeweler Jacques Cartier
acquired land there for his first American store. The price? Two
pearl necklaces. This long and storied past only adds to the appeal
of the incomparable pearl, cherished today as a traditional wedding
gift, a birthstone, and in jewelry that reflects taste and refinement. |
