pearls of wisdom

Tears of sharks, heaven's dew, the eyes of the spirit or in fact an examples of the talented mother nature. The origin of pearls has long been the subject of folklore and legend and treasured by man for four thousand years.

Cleopatra wearing pearls

In Roman times they were assosciated with Venus the God of love and so became a currecny and display of love and extravagance. Cleopatra is said to have dipped a pearl in vinegar and drunk it at a dinner party in one display of such extravagance. Such high value was placed on pearls that until the early 20th century a string of pearls could be equivilant to the cost of a yacht or a country mansion.


Though diamond are considered a girls best friend, natural growing pearls are in fact more rare than diamonds.

Natural pearls grow in a mollusc; freshwater pearls in mussels and sea pearls in oysters.

There was a time when Scotland was known for its rose pink pearls and Cumbria for its black pearl. However the mussel colonies on which natutral pearls depend have become so rare that pearling has been banned in the UK river system since 1998. 

Today naturally grown pearls command high prices due to their scarcity, however because of the development of the cultured pearl which is grown with encouragement from humans who implant tiny organic particles into the mollusc’s, this gorgeous gemstone is accesible to all. Mikimoto was the Japanese pioneer who perfected this practise though the actual practise dates back to 5th century China when the undiscerning eyes of travellers along the Silk Road would struggle to discern the natural pearl from its cultured or farmed counterpart.

Pearls are created from nacre, an iridescent liquid which is excreted from a gland inside a mollusc’s when it is irritated by the intrusion of a grain of sand or parasite. Over several years these layers build upon each other, snowballing to create a pearl whose shape resembles that of the original intruder. A perfectly round pearl is rare as are particularly large pearls making them the most expensive. 


One of the world’s most famous pearls, Peregrina, which translates from “pilgrim” is an appropriate name for a gem with five hundred years of history. The enormous silvery luster oval shaped perfect pearl weighs 203.84 grains.  It was purchased for Taylor in 1969 by Richard Burton on Valentines Day for $37,000.00.  

Mary Tudor, Queen of England

 

















Pearls are a delicate gemstone and should be kept away from ammonia, handcreams, soap and ultrasonic cleaners as much as possible. They can be cleaned with a lint free cloth and should be stored in a soft chamois or non abrasive bag to avoid scratching.