TOP 8 facts about pearls - a precious mineral for virgins

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

In ancient times, it was believed that pearls appear at the moment when oysters rise from the bottom of the sea at dawn and open their shells to collect dew drops in them. These drops later turned into pearls. Alas, this is just a legend. Here are some interesting facts about pearls that you never knew existed.

Hardly anyone would argue that pearls are in vogue in any weather. Jewelry made from this precious mineral is suitable for any outfit: put on a necklace complete with a black sheath dress - you get a classic look in the style of Audrey Hepburn, add earrings to an elegant blouse - and now the image of a modern business woman is ready. However, this is far from all there is to know about pearls.

Fact 1: Pearls were first used in ancient civilizations

For the first time, pearls were used as jewelry in the Chinese, Greek, Roman, Assyrian civilizations. But the Egyptians bypassed it - they were famous for making necklaces, bracelets, rings from other precious materials. Now archaeologists are constantly finding new pearl jewelry and after research it turns out that one is older than the other. So, for example, in Qatar (a state in the Middle East), items that are about 5000 years old are stored. And in one of the Japanese museums there is a pearl decoration that was found 10,000 years ago.

The Persian Gulf is considered the historical homeland of pearls. However, there are also mineral deposits in Venezuela. Christopher Columbus first learned about this during his travels. It happened like this: the navigator stopped on one of the shores of South America, and when he was preparing a dinner consisting of oysters on the fire, he found a pearl inside it. After this discovery, pearl production increased several times.

Fact 2: Earlier, pearls could only be worn by virgins

Ancient jewelers considered pearls to be a symbol of purity and innocence, and therefore they often associated it with the image of the Virgin Mary. For this reason, most Russian icons depicting the Virgin are decorated with pearls, and that is why brides often wear jewelry made from this mineral at weddings.

Dresses embroidered with pearls throughout her life were worn by the British Queen Elizabeth I. She received this right due to the fact that she was never married.

In ancient times, there was a belief that God sent pearls as a sign. Those people who found him were considered kind, good, honest and worthy.

Fact 3: It is very rare for two or more pearls to grow together

Great Southern Cross

Until the 19th century, it was believed that in nature there are only single pearls that cannot "unite" with each other. However, in 1874 this opinion was refuted. The reason for this was an amazing find off the Australian coast - 9 pearls, which have grown together in the shape of a cross. Subsequently, this miracle of nature was called the "Great Southern Cross", however, disputes over its origin do not subside to this day. Many people think that a grandiose natural phenomenon is in fact a deception of pure water, since a person made the pearls in the form of a cross. This hypothesis was not confirmed by facts, thanks to which the "Grand Southern Cross" received many medals and awards at famous world exhibitions, and then went to storage in the Vatican.

Fact 4: The price of a pearl depends on the owner

Elizabeth Taylor and Coco Chanel

To determine the value of a pearl, several factors need to be considered:

• Firstly, the color - it should be perfectly clean without any inclusions.

• Secondly, the shape and symmetry is the rarest, and, therefore, the most valuable is considered to be a perfectly round pearl. Also, not the last place is taken by pearls in the form of a drop.

• Thirdly, the ability to reflect - quality pearls should reflect light perfectly. As you know, diamonds shine only after they have been cut and polished. But pearls do not need preliminary work.

• Fourth, belonging to a famous person - Coco Chanel is the first to come to mind. The fashion designer disdained jewelry, considering them boring, but she adored pearls, and said that he was always right. A pearl thread that belonged to Chanel is now worth about $ 400,000. Another famous piece of jewelry belonged in the twentieth century to Elizabeth Taylor - the pearl of Peregrine, weighing 56 carats. After the death of the actress, the jewelry was bought at an auction for $ 11.8 million.

It is interesting:Pierre Cartier bought a luxury home on Fifth Avenue for $ 100 and a string of pearls. At that time, the price of the jewelry was one million dollars (about $ 25 million today).

Fact 5: Pearls are the only gemstone that is extracted from living organisms

Pearls are the fruit of the vital activity of living beings. Its formation is a protective reaction of the mollusk to a foreign body that has entered the mantle. Although pearls are classified as gemstones, they differ significantly from other specimens that form in the earth's crust when magma cools under pressure.

Fact 6: One of the most expensive pearl jewelry was worth $ 7 million

In 2007, at Christie's auction for $ 7 million, a Baroda necklace was sold, consisting of several strands and 68 natural pearls, ranging in diameter from 10 to 16 mm. They were found in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. The last owner of the pearl product was Gaekwad Pratap Singh. According to rumors, his wife found the seven-strand jewelry uncomfortable to wear, and changed it into two strands. As for the 8.57 carat diamond clasp, it was designed by the French house Cartier. It is noteworthy that the name of the necklace buyer is still kept secret.

Fact 7: Pearl tributes were collected in ancient China

In ancient China, it was believed that pearls fell from heaven (and, apparently, fell directly into the hands of the rulers and their entourage). It was not only a symbol of wisdom, but also one of the most beloved stones of the emperors. It is believed that the name of the mineral comes from the Chinese "czhen-gzhu".

In China, pearls have always been an attribute of power and high position. The pearl attached to the headdress symbolized the high position of its owner. And the Chinese Emperor Yu considered the precious material the most valuable offering, which is why he introduced a pearl tribute to the state. The mineral even managed to play the role of currency: in ancient China, it was customary for them to pay for the most expensive and large acquisitions.

Fact 8: If the pearl dries up, it will deteriorate

Despite the fact that a pearl itself is very strong, it can deteriorate if it is not properly cared for or if the storage conditions are not followed. The fact is that pearls contain water (only 5%, but still), and if the owner does not make sure that the jewelry is in a humid environment, over time it will lose its beauty and value. The ideal storage place for pearl jewelry is the bathroom.

However, not all pearls tolerate dryness poorly. During expeditions to the desert, archaeologists have found specimens that were thousands of years old, but they looked simply amazing. It is not completely known what this is connected with.