More about Pearls

Prior to the dawn of the cultured pearl, in the early 1900's, pearls were so rare that they were coveted by royalty as one of the most costly gems.  At a time when it was estimated that it would take 15,000 oysters to find one pearl, one can see why the pearl was given its name which, in Latin, means unique. 

Few stories illustrate the costliness of the pearl better then when Cleopatra bet Marc Anthony that she could host the most expensive dinner in history.  At the dinner she served two glasses of wine (or vinegar) and two empty plates. She dropped one of her pearl earrings into the glass and drank it. Marc Anthony, shocked, declined to eat his dinner, her other earring, and Cleopatra won the wager.

Today most pearls are cultured, nevertheless, a pearl's uniqueness and beauty continues to rival that of other gems. While we typically think of pearls as white and round, they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Tahitian pearls appear in blues, greens, and violets, among other colors, with peacock green being the most popular.  Freshwater pearls are often oval-shaped or shaped like grains of rice. Then there are Akoya pearls, with their beautiful tones of white, cream, green, silver, and gold.

No matter which type of pearl you choose, caring for them properly will ensure their beauty will last for generations.  Hairspray and perfume will damage pearls, so as a rule they should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off.  Generally speaking, pearl necklaces should be restrung every one to two years depending on the condition of your piece.