One of the best loved types of gems throughout history, pearls are well-known, well-worn and highly sought after. They’ve had an up and down ride in the fashion scene over the last two hundred years but have emerged stronger than ever today.
This is partly because pearls are quite possibly the most unique and interesting gemstone there is. No matter where you look, you won’t come across a more special gemstone. It’s not even a ‘stone’ but it beats every stone out there when it comes to history, lore, symbolism, use and uniqueness.
Don’t believe us?
Here are 19 facts that prove pearls are the most unique and interesting gemstone. Let’s dive right in!
[no_toc]1- Pearls are an organic gemstone but they’re different to other types of organic gems. They’re the only gemstone to come from a still living animal. In some cases, the mussel or oyster continues living after the pearl has been extracted from it. No wonder they’re often considered a gift from the sea.
2- Pearls are the oldest gemstones. The oldest pearl dates back over 7500 years and was found in the U.A.E. It goes back as far as the Neolithic era, a.k.a. the New Stone Age. Imagine that!
3- While oysters are the most famous pearl-producing creature, only saltwater pearls come from them. Mussels are responsible for freshwater pearls. Some other mollusks that produce pearls include clams, abalone and the queen conch.
4- The first pearl type to be cultured was the Akoya pearl in Japan. Before that, divers generally had to go into deep and dangerous waters to extract pearls from oysters, with only about half of all pearl divers surviving the job. Little wonder when they were faced with sharks and other deep-sea horrors.
5- Every pearl is unique with no two being exactly alike. Each pearl has its own ‘fingerprint’ which refer to all its distinguishing features – bumps, blemishes, miniscule flaws.
6- Here’s a fun oyster fact. All oysters are transgender – they’re born male but turn into female when they’re around 3 years old. How neat is that!
7- There are more freshwater pearls than saltwater types, with freshwater accounting for over 95% of all pearls harvested. This is partly why freshwater pearls are much less expensive.
8- Almost all pearls on the market today are cultured. It’s very unusual to come across wild or natural pearls. They also happen to be very expensive if you do come across them.
9- Pearls have some negative symbolism attached to them. it’s believed to be bad luck to wear pearls on your wedding day or to receive them as a gift. No one seems to really care about these superstitions now judging from how popular bridal pearl jewelry has become.
10- Pearls can range in size from 1.0mm to 20.0mm. Larger pearls are more expensive all else being equal.
11- South Sea pearls produce the largest pearl sizes. They’re also the rarest of all nacreous pearl types and the most expensive. Even though they too are cultured, the oyster only thrives under certain conditions which means that production is limited. You can’t start a South Sea pearl farm in any old sea. It’s got to be the South Sea.
12- Pearls aren’t only white and cream in color, they can vary in color, from black to white and everything in between. Some popular pearl colors include gold, black, blue and lavender. Pearls get this color from the color of the mollusk’s interior shell lining.
13- Of all pearl legends, perhaps the most interesting is that of Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, attempting to impress the Roman Empire by demonstrating the wealth of Egypt. How did she do this? Legend has it that she dropped a magnificent pearl earring into vinegar, watched it dissolve and then drank it, making the meal the most expensive banquet ever hosted.
14- History has it that Pierre Cartier bought his famous 5th Avenue Mansion by bartering a double strand natural pearl necklace for it back in 1912. The pearl strands were valued at $1 million while the mansion was valued at $925,000.
Cartier Fifth Avenue Mansion bought for a double pearl strand necklace.
15- The most expensive pearl? A massive clam pearl found off the coast of the Philippines and valued at $100 million. It was found by a fisherman who kept it under his bed for several years, without realizing its value.
16- The most expensive pearl jewelry ever auctioned? The famous La Peregrina (The Wanderer) which last belonged to Hollywood royalty, Elizabeth Taylor. Before that, it changed hands over time from Queen Mary of England to Napoleon Bonaparte of France and many other important personages. It brought in over $11 million.
17- The rarest type of pearl? The Queen Conch’s stunning salmon-pink colored pearls are the rarest and the most expensive. They’re among the only pearls sold in carat weight, rather than in millimeters. They’re considered as valuable as diamonds. However, they aren’t nacreous pearls; they’re non-nacreous and similar in texture to porcelain or ceramic.
18- Pearls below jewelry grade are crushed into powder and used in cosmetics and to treat skin conditions. It’s believed to have numerous medical uses and is also sometimes ingested. Pearl powder has been used in regions like China, India and Europe among others for centuries.
19- The oldest known piece of pearl jewelry comes from the tomb of an ancient Persian Queen. It’s been named the Susa necklace and features 3 rows of pearls, and ten gold bars that space them apart yet hold them together. It’s believed to be approximately 2,400 years old.
20- Historically only the upper classes wore pearls. During ancient Rome, Japan and Medieval France, only the upper classes, i.e. the aristocracy and Royalty, were permitted to wear pearls. It was the same in Elizabethan England where pearls were so valuable that only Royalty and the nobility were allowed to wear them. That’s how valuable they were.
21- How are oysters and fine wine similar? The same oyster can create pearls over and over again and as they age, they produce finer and better pearls.
So there you have it! 21 amazing pieces of information about pearls that indicate just how unique this gemstone is. Check out more of our blogs if you’re intrigued by pearls and would like to know more.
