The pearl is regarded as the "Queen of Gems," a title bestowed upon it for being the world's oldest gem. As such, the sea-born stone has a fascinating history. Before diamonds, sapphires, and other precious gems were used in jewelry, sovereign leaders adorned themselves with pearls.
Pearl jewelry once served as one of the highest symbols of social status among royalty, but the popular gems eventually became much more accessible to the masses. Today, pearl accessories are widely available in department and jewelry stores.
You may not give much thought to the life of a pearl or its legacy, but it is the history of pearl jewelry that makes the accessory so special.
Pearls as a Status Symbol
The earliest piece of pearl jewelry was found in the sarcophagus of a Persian princess. The historical accessory currently resides at the Louvre in Paris, France, and archaeologists have dated it back to 420 B.C. — making it more than 2,000 years old.
Despite the arid climate, pearls were not rare in the region. The Persian Gulf served as home to clusters of oyster beds, turning the area into the pearl trade center of the ancient world. As a nation, Persia used the stones to amass wealth long before oil became a more lucrative commodity.
Aside from ancient Persia, pearls were worn by royals in China and influential members of ancient Rome by 2300 B.C. Roman dictator Julius Caesar saw the spherical gemstones as so precious that he banned all but the ruling classes from wearing them. This action guaranteed that those who wore pearl bracelets;, rings, or pendants were instantly recognized as royalty.
For centuries, pearls were considered a global status symbol of the high-born, although the depth of cultural significance depended on the country. In China, the pearl was regarded as the pinnacle of purity, and wearing pearls was seen as a blessing. During the 1300s and 1400s, wealthy knights believed the stones had protective powers and carried them into battle.
When pearls were discovered along the coast of South America in the 16th century, it launched a period known as the "Pearl Age," during which people in the Western hemisphere paid high prices for the gemstones.
Despite the hefty cost, more people could then possess the jewel. Throughout much of the 19th century, European nobility bought pearls in bulk to encrust layered necklaces, earrings, brooches, and other accessories.
The continuously rising demand for the gems caused natural freshwater and saltwater pearls to become increasingly difficult to harvest. Unlike most other gems that come from the earth, pearls form inside the mouths of mollusks, such as clams, making them less accessible.
The increasing rarity of organically created pearls resulted in intense bidding wars among the wealthy that still exist to this day. As an example, actress Elizabeth Taylor's iconic La Peregrina 16th century teardrop pearl necklace sold for $11.8 million in 2011.
Cultivation of Pearls for the Jewelry Market
The strong demand for pearls inspired Japanese entrepreneur Kokichi Mikimoto to invent a method that manually stimulated pearl formation in oysters by using a special irritant. In 1893, his method soon triggered a boom in pearl farming across Japan. The result, known as cultivated pearls, became ubiquitous, but the organic pearls remained scarce.
The rise in manmade pearls also led to a substantial drop in value, making the aquatically bred gems more affordable for the masses. Additionally, colored pearls came into fashion. Pink, black, and cream-colored pearls popped up in jewelry stores all over the globe.
Add Pearls from Hannoush Jewelers to Your Jewelry Collection
Regardless of whether pearls come from an oyster bed in the sea or harvested along the banks of a pearl farm, beautiful pearl jewelry pieces are a must-have staple for any collection.
From the Charles Garnier sterling silver necklace featuring freshwater pearls on a paperclip chain to the yellow gold mother-of-pearl statement piece included in the Doves by Doron Paloma White Orchid Collection, Hannoush Jewelers offers high-fashion pearl accessories in an assortment of styles and settings.
Complete your jewelry set with a pearl piece that speaks to your heart by visiting one of our locations in the Capital Region or contacting us to learn more about our inventory.
We are dedicated to helping you find accessories that seem made just for you.