Pearl History For centuries, this magnificent gem had mesmerized all. Since ancient times, pearl is treated as a symbol of purity, innocence and aristocracy. The most special feature of this expensive gem is that each natural pearl is unique and this fact has contributed to make it precious and known as the queen of all gems.
It’s difficult to mention a particular date from when pearl started her journey in the civilization of men. Beyond the periphery of recorded history there are many threads which we could not explore till date. Even before pearls have made their debut, mother- of-pearl was frequently used as a decorative item by ancient Egyptians of 4200 BC. Shu King, a 23rd century book of China and the sacred books of India of 2000 to 1000 BC have references of single pearls and pearl strings.
So, more or less it can be concluded that the use of pearls in ornaments started from around 2300 BC but pearl jewelry became popular among royalties and nobles from 5th century BC. Persia played an important role in this process. According to many gemologists, ancient pearl hunting was started in Persian Gulf, Gulf of Mannar, Red Sea and also in Chinese coasts. Kings and aristocrats of Asian empires widely worn pearls hunted from their own coasts or rivers since 2000 BC but Europe took the pearl culture through his trade relations with Arabs and Persians. The oldest existing pearl jewelry had been found from a 520BC tomb of a Persian princess.
In ancient Roman period pearl was considered to be the most precious element. Roman elites were so fond of this gem that they used to adorn their upholsteries, gowns and drapes with pearls. Pearl craze got a hike and became an essential status symbol in Caesarian Rome. People belonging to certain ranks only had the right to wear pearls.
Egypt, being another ancient pearl point, boasted of possessing most expensive natural pearls. A legendary story, told by Plini let us know that Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt won a bet against Roman General Marc Antony by the help of her pearl earring that was worth thousand pounds of gold. She dropped the pearl into her wine to prove that she could offer the most expensive treat in the world.
In Christian era, pearl continued to become one of the most desired jewels in the world. There are several references of pearl in Bible. In baroque and modern age paintings, often we come across with models wearing pearl earrings or necklaces. But pearl culture was not restricted to only Asia and Europe. The continent of America had a heritage of pearl since Inca and Aztec periods. Immediately after the discovery of freshwater pearl fields in North America and saltwater pearl zones in central and South America including Caribbean islands, pearl became the most wanted commodity from colonies.
The early 18th century saw a decline in demand of pearl due to the discovery of Brazilian diamond. But from the later half of the same century things again started turning right for pearls as many new pearl fields were explored. At early 20th century, cultured pearls were introduced by Japanese researchers and Kokichi Mikimoto became the first man to market cultured pearls worldwide. This event simply made the symbol of aristocracy as affordable as can be. But still natural pearls do continue as the most precious objects on earth. The luster and clarity of a natural pearl is unchallenged and no replica can substitute its beauty.
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