With their timeless beauty and intriguing origins, pearls have captivated humanity for centuries! In history, they have held a special place because the royals prefer them. This radiant gemstone, born from the heart of the sea can hold anyone’s gaze with its ethereal charm and allure. From the classic pure white to the blushy hues of pink and the sunkissed radiance of gold, the spectrum of colors that pearls embrace is truly a beautiful testament to Nature’s wonderful artistry. While you might be familiar with the beauty of pearls, there is a treasure trove of lesser-known facts about these beauties that will amaze you! Join us as we lead you through 12 fascinating facts about PEARLS that you probably did not know
1. Pearls are considered one of the oldest gemstones:
The oldest pearl ever discovered dates back to 7500 years, which means that it goes back as far as the New Stone Age! They are also known as the only gemstone that has been created by another living creature (oyster) whereas all the other gemstones are found in the Earth’s crust.
2. Did you know that each pearl you have come across is a unique one!? :
Yes, you heard it right. Each pearl has its own ‘fingerprint’ that reflects its distinguishing features such as bumps and minuscule flows which results in no two pearls being exactly alike.
3. Not all pearls are natural:
Almost all the pearls that are available in the market nowadays are not natural pearls but rather cultured ones. It’s very rare to come across wild or natural pearls and they are very expensive too.
4. The law that allowed only aristocrats to wear pearls:
Julius Caesar was a big admirer of pearls as they were believed to be a symbol of wealth and prosperity in ancient Roman times. His love for this beautiful gemstone made Julius Caesar create a law in 1BC that prohibited the wearing of pearls for anyone below the ruling class!
5. Pearls come in different shapes:
It’s a common belief among people that pearls are perfectly round and symmetrical, but this is not true. They have been actually found in a varied range of shapes, the most common shapes being round, off-round, and drop figures. Round shapes as we all know are considered the most ideal ones for jewellery making and hence undoubtedly became the most popular ones from the existing bunch.
6. Not only white and cream colors:
Another common understanding that we have about pearls is that they always come in shades of white or cream. Well, no! They can vary in color, from white to black, and every hue in between these two!
7. The rarest pearl:
The queen conch’s salmon-pink-colored pearls are the rarest and most expensive. It’s one of the only pearls sold in carat weight rather than millimeters and they are considered as valuable as diamonds. There isn’t enough time in a single post to relate the fascinating tale of pearls! But we hope you were able to discover some interesting facts about pearls here. As you can see, the world of pearls is rich with beauty, and history, and its linkage with culture makes the gemstone one of a kind.
