Pearl

Timelessness And Class In A Keepsake Treasure – The Pearl

Pearls are a symbol of quintessential beauty and grace, class, and worth. The beauty of the pearl and its value as a precious gem spans the ages, as far back as Biblical times (at the very least).

Pearl jewelry has meaning to people. Before the advent of cultured pearls, pearl harvesting relied upon chancy hit and miss pearl diving. This meant that pearl acquisitions were extremely difficult; even when an oyster bed could be located, not every oyster contained a pearl. Historically, only the extremely wealthy could ever think of owning pearls. As far back as ancient Egypt, even a single pearl held unimaginable value. A pearl smashed and ground by Cleopatra, turned into pearl dust and drank in a glass of wine by her, had an estimated worth of 13.5 million (US) dollars in today’s pearl market.

The pearl market took a dramatic turn in the early 1900’s. In 1907, two Japanese men patented a method for creating cultured pearls on oyster ‘farms’. Another Japanese entrepreneur, Kikichi Mikimoto, patented a similar technique for cultivating round pearls in 1916. Mikimoto was dedicated to his pearl cultivating venture, and quickly built his business, buying the original 1907 patent in short time. Subsequently, Mikimoto improved his technique and Mikimoto pearls became the most widely available pearls – cultured or natural – on the pearl market.

Like manmade diamonds and gemstones, cultured pearls like Mikimoto pearls are real pearls. They have the same composition, and are made by living pearl producing creatures, either oysters or mussels. The difference between natural and cultured pearls can only be discerned by a jeweler with the right equipment.

Giving a pearl necklace is a tradition in many families for lifetime milestones. A gift of a pearl necklace is a traditional sweet sixteen or ‘coming out’ gift. Pearl necklaces are also favored as wedding gifts from mother to daughter, to be worn on the wedding day and throughout adulthood. The giving of a string of pearls in many instances is a sign of coming of age, of having achieved maturity and worthiness to own a lady’s jewel.

Pearls are set in every type of jewelry, although a string of pearls on a pearl necklace is the most popular by far. However, it never hurts to have a matching set of pearl earings, or shop among the many varied and beautiful pearl rings for a gift that coordinates with the first keepsake.

Buyers of pearls are soon to discover that there are several types of pearls, more than just natural and cultured pearl options. Choices in pearl buying include natural and cultured pearls as well as fresh water pearls, saltwater pearls, and imitation pearls. Among those types, there are even sub-categories by color, attribute, and location of origin.

Pearl jewelry options are many. The wide selection of pearl jewelry settings and types has opened the market up to everyone, so that now, owning a piece of this keepsake organic gem is something everyone can look forward to. Pearl jewelry continues to be, as it has through the ages, a valued, personal treasure.