Great Britain Pearl Ruby Wedding Bridal Fashion Jewelry 33

Great Britain Pearl Ruby Wedding Bridal Fashion Jewelry. 

By Aamir Mannan.

A natural pearl begins its life as a foreign object, such as a parasite or piece of shell that accidentally lodges itself in an oyster's soft inner body where it cannot be expelled. To ease this irritant, the oyster's body takes defensive action. The oyster begins to secrete a smooth, hard crystalline substance around the irritant in order to protect itself. This substance is called "nacre." As long as the irritant remains within its body, the oyster will continue to secrete nacre around it, layer upon layer. Over time, the irritant will be completely encased by the silky crystalline coatings. And the result, ultimately, is the lovely and lustrous gem called a pearl.

How something so wondrous emerges from an oyster's way of protecting itself is one of nature's loveliest surprises. For the nacre is not just a soothing substance. It is composed of microscopic crystals of calcium carbonate, aligned perfectly with one another, so that light passing along the axis of one crystal is reflected and refracted by another to produce a rainbow of light and color.

Ghana Pearl Ruby Wedding Bridal Fashion Jewelry 32

Ghana Pearl Ruby Wedding Bridal Fashion Jewelry. 
By Aamir Mannan.

Brief History pearls

Many thousands of years ago, long before written history, human beings probably discovered the first pearl while searching the seashore for food. Throughout history, the pearl, with its warm inner glow and shimmering iridescence, has been one of the most highly prized and sought-after gems. Countless references to the pearl can be found in the religions and mythology of cultures from the earliest times. The ancient Egyptians prized pearls so much they were buried with them. Cleopatra reportedly dissolved a single pearl in a glass of wine and drank it, simply to win a wager with Mark Antony that she could consume the wealth of an entire nation in just one meal.

In ancient Rome, pearls were considered the ultimate symbol of wealth and social standing. The Greeks held the pearl in high esteem for both its unrivaled beauty and its association with love and marriage. During the Dark Ages, while fair maidens of nobility cherished delicate pearl necklaces, gallant knights often wore pearls into battle. They believed the magic of these lustrous gems would protect them from harm. The Renaissance saw the royal courts of Europe awash in pearls. Because pearls were so highly regarded, a number of European countries actually passed laws forbidding anyone but the nobility to wear them.

French Southern Pearl Diamond Wedding Bridal Fashion Jewelry 31

French Southern Pearl Diamond Wedding Bridal Fashion Jewelry.

By Aamir Mannan.

In this essay you'll learn about the history of pearls, how they form in oysters, and how cultured pearls are generally cultivated, harvested and processed for market.

Cultured pearls ... their very name conjures images of lustrous jewels nestled deep in oysters far below the surface of the sea. Yet cultured pearls are more than just jewels. Since the beginning of time, pearls have been revered as one of the world's most beautiful and magical gems. Today, cultured pearls are the foundation of every woman's jewelry wardrobe. Fashionable, feminine and fresh, cultured pearls truly enhance a woman's palette of styles. Rich and adaptable, a lustrous star in the world of fine jewelry, a simple cultured pearl necklace can take a woman through every moment in her life, every outfit in her wardrobe. The possibilities are endless.

Brief History pearls

Many thousands of years ago, long before written history, human beings probably discovered the first pearl while searching the seashore for food. Throughout history, the pearl, with its warm inner glow and shimmering iridescence, has been one of the most highly prized and sought-after gems. Countless references to the pearl can be found in the religions and mythology of cultures from the earliest times

Georgian Pearls Diamond Fashion Gold Jewelry 30

Georgian Pearls Diamond Fashion Gold Jewelry 

By Aamir Mannan

Despite the historical importance of Maimoto’s pieces, pearls are traditionally white and axiomatically spherical in his production. However pearls can have many different colours, influenced by the type and flesh of the producing mollusc. Most prized, dark Tahitian pearls are the starting point for Yoko/EuroPearls’ baroque creations, with coloured beads that suggest narrative plots from exotic places. Thus, pearls are shown to suddenly depart from a tradition of conspicuous understatement; a brief section on contemporary design in the exhibition readdresses the balance with the purity of modernist designs.

The V&A’s exhibition draws to an end with an enfilade of famous designers. Slightly out of step with the long history that preceded them, this section somewhat baffles the visitor, revealing a high-end market so luxurious as to deserve a place within the museum, yet so colourful as to shed doubt on the authentic value of the materials. At the very end of the exit corridor, visitors are faced with the breathtaking spectacle of buckets full of pearls. But this is not the luscious re-creation of an emperor’s treasure. Rather, the viewer is faced with a grim snapshot of low quality mass production. For if the long history of treasured pearls is all on show at the V&A, their future seems doomed to be cheap.

Gibraltar Pearl Ruby Wedding Bridal Fashion Jewelry 29

Gibraltar Pearl Ruby Wedding Bridal Fashion Jewelry. 

By Aamir Mannan.

During the European expansion into the New World, the discovery of pearls in Central American waters added to the wealth of Europe. Unfortunately, greed and lust for the sea-grown gems resulted in the depletion of virtually all the American pearl oyster populations by the 17th century. Until the early 1900's, natural pearls were accessible only to the rich and famous. In 1916, famed French jeweler Jacques Cartier bought his landmark store on New York's famous Fifth Avenue -- by trading two pearl necklaces for the valuable property.

But today, with the advent of pearl cultivation, pearls are available and affordable to all.

How pearls Form In Oysters

The birth of a pearl is truly a miraculous event. Unlike gemstones or precious metals that must be mined from the earth, pearls are grown by live oysters far below the surface of the sea. Gemstones must be cut and polished to bring out their beauty. But pearls need no such treatment to reveal their loveliness. They are born from oysters complete -- with a shimmering iridescence, lustre and soft inner glow unlike any other gem on earth.

Germany Pearls Diamond Fashion Gold Jewelry 28

Germany Pearls Diamond Fashion Gold Jewelry.

By Aamir Mannan. 

This emphasis on geography and history is best reflected in the wise choice of display cases. The exhibition begins with natural marvels in ancient cabinets of curiosities, and continues with 19th century safes that enshrine treasures from Renaissance to Art Nouveau. On the safes, semi-effaced lettering spells ‘Singapore,’ ‘Hamburg,’ and ‘Altona’ – scraps of a lively trade which exude a fascinating aura. Yet, their secrets are locked well shut: unfortunately, the museum lost the opportunity to feed the visitors’ curiosity, for no further information is given regarding the safes’ provenance.

As centuries go by and the show progresses, visitors encounter a variety of different designs. Renaissance drawings characterised by typical three pearls pendants give way to George III’s cobalt blue coat buttons, while the black-dyed pearls of an ever-mourning Queen Victoria metamorphose in the flowers and insects of Lalique’s Art Nouveau designs. The only constant is the soaring price of natural pearls, which became increasingly rare as American seabeds turned into deserts due to excessive fishing.

Gambia Pearl Fashion Gold Diamond Jewelry 27

Gambia Pearl Fashion Gold Diamond Jewelry.

By Aamir Mannan.

As centuries go by and the show progresses, visitors encounter a variety of different designs. Renaissance drawings characterised by typical three pearls pendants give way to George III’s cobalt blue coat buttons, while the black-dyed pearls of an ever-mourning Queen Victoria metamorphose in the flowers and insects of Lalique’s Art Nouveau designs. The only constant is the soaring price of natural pearls, which became increasingly rare as American seabeds turned into deserts due to excessive fishing.

Intensifying market demand invited attempts to produce cultured pearls. The exhibition’s last section concentrates on this modern history of scientific and artistic innovation. In 1907, Japanese experiments led to the production of the first cultured spherical pearl. The new pearl was so perfect that it could only be differentiated from a natural pearl with the use of an endoscope. Taking up earlier experiments, Kokichi Maimoto’s firm soon produced an entire scarf out of pearls, a feat of jewellery aptly titled Journey of 5000 Pearls.

Gabon Pearl Diamond Fashion Gold Jewelry 26

Gabon Pearl Diamond Fashion Gold Jewelry. 

By Aamir Mannan.

If science reveals the dazzling colours hidden in the pearls’ apparent whiteness, only history can explain their unique value. A grainy video reveals early 20th century divers descending to the bottom of the sea with no breathing equipment but for the air in their lungs. In its everyday simplicity, an old nose clip nearby is a poignant reminder of the dangers and delusions of their lives. Sitting on the deck with their skin hardened by salt, the fishermen would relentlessly open the hundreds of shells they had collected, rarely finding a pearl worth selling.

Born of sea-foam, pearls would join the international trade which travelled from Saudi Arabiato India, via Bahrain and Qatar. These strings were gathered in Bombay, only to break loose again, towards Europe and China. The pearl was a truly international craze, a theme which the V&A’s expansive collection is best suited to pursue. This is further emphasised through the fact that the exhibition is a collaboration with the Qatar Museum Authority. Thus, visitors encounter both the history of pearls and their cultural geography – from the Gulf’s seabed to the contemporary London museum.

French Southern Pearl Diamond Wedding Bridal Fashion Jewelry 25

French Southern Pearl Diamond Wedding Bridal Fashion Jewelry.

By Aamir Mannan.

If science reveals the dazzling colours hidden in the pearls’ apparent whiteness, only history can explain their unique value. A grainy video reveals early 20th century divers descending to the bottom of the sea with no breathing equipment but for the air in their lungs. In its everyday simplicity, an old nose clip nearby is a poignant reminder of the dangers and delusions of their lives. Sitting on the deck with their skin hardened by salt, the fishermen would relentlessly open the hundreds of shells they had collected, rarely finding a pearl worth selling.

Born of sea-foam, pearls would join the international trade which travelled from Saudi Arabiato India, via Bahrain and Qatar. These strings were gathered in Bombay, only to break loose again, towards Europe and China. The pearl was a truly international craze, a theme which the V&A’s expansive collection is best suited to pursue. This is further emphasised through the fact that the exhibition is a collaboration with the Qatar Museum Authority. Thus, visitors encounter both the history of pearls and their cultural geography – from the Gulf’s seabed to the contemporary London museum.

French Polynesia Pearl Diamond Wedding Bridal Fashion Jewelry 24

French Polynesia Pearl Diamond Wedding Bridal Fashion Jewelry.

By Aamir Mannan.

The exhibition’s portrayal of the history of pearls begins – perhaps too Eurocentrically – with the tradition of the ‘cabinet of curiosities,’ the encyclopaedic microcosms constructed by early modern princes and scholars. Reflecting man’s privileged place in God’s creation, the cabinets juxtaposed the creations of art and nature, with one always trying to outdo the other in a battle of conceits. Fished from the seas yet selected and mounted with matchless artistry, pearls captured the transition of human creation into divine nature. They were irresistible, as shown in Jeanne de Marigny’s portrait, where all attention goes to her pear-lined satin dress.

Installation image of 'Pearls' |  © Victoria and Albert Museum

Installation image of 'Pearls' | © Victoria and Albert Museum

Yet there is more to the ‘cabinet of curiosity’ than the wonders of 

17th century haute couture. Emphasised in the flimsy boundary between nature and culture, this first display sets the scene for scientific imagining. Again and again the exhibition uses the constructed languages of X-rays and microscopes to reveal what exactly is in the ‘nature’ of a pearl.

French Guiana Pearl Diamond Fashion Wedding Jewelry 23

French Guiana Pearl Diamond Fashion White Gold Wedding Jewelry.

By Aamir Mannan.

‘Pearls’ at London’s V&A: A History of Luxury and Design

On display from the 21st of September 2013 to the 19th of January 2014, Pearls is an exhibition at London’s Victoria Albert Museum that focuses on the history and design of pearls. Costanza Beltrami investigates this exhibition, revealing the fascinating story these sea-born treasures hold.

Installation image of 'Pearls'

Installation image of 'Pearls' | © Victoria and Albert Museum

The V&A’s fall exhibition is titled simply Pearls: no more is needed to evoke the most elegant of jewels. From the neck of our grandmothers to Audrey Hepburn’s Breakfast at Tiffany, pearls are truly timeless. Handed down from a generation to the next, they defy change with their candid sheen. Yet, for all its dreamy atmosphere, the V&A’s exhibition reveals that the most coveted of jewels has a long and adventurous history.

Faroe Islands Pearl Diamond Wedding Fashion Jewelry 22

Faroe Islands Pearl Diamond Wedding Fashion Jewelry.

By Aamir Mannan.

Pearls were undoubtedly first discovered and appreciated in the East or the Orient, but where exactly in the Orient were they first discovered or, were they discovered and came to be appreciated in more than one place independent of one another possibly at different times or periods? The answer to this difficult question has to be sought by identifying the most ancient sources of pearls in the world, and obviously the first people who would have discovered and learnt to appreciate pearls were the people living along the shoreline of these sources. 

The most ancient sources of pearls in the world are believed to be the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Mannar between India and Sri Lanka. Pre-historic people living in these regions were probably the first to stumble upon the first pearls known to mankind, obviously during their quest for food. The fact that these were the same regions where some of the earliest human civilizations began, seem to consolidate the view that the discovery and appreciation of pearls also began in these regions. However, it may be difficult to pinpoint an exact region where the discovery and appreciation of pearls first began. It was quite possible that such discovery and appreciation began in the Persian 

Gulf/Red Sea region (the Middle East) and the Gulf of Mannar region (India and Sri Lanka), simultaneously or at different times independent of one another, just as much as the discovery and appreciation of pearls in the New World (the Americas and the Caribbean) had taken place independently of the Old World discoveries, long before Columbus discovered America. This webpage examines the archaeological and other evidences available that might establish the Persian Gulf/Red Sea region as the possible region where the discovery and appreciation of pearls first began. Evidences available to support the Gulf of Mannar region as another possible region where the discovery and appreciation of pearls first began, are considered separately on a different webpage dedicated for this purpose.

Finland Pearl Diamond Wedding Fashion Gold Jewelry 21

Finland Pearl Diamond Wedding Fashion Gold Jewelry.

By Aamir Mannan.

In fact, the oldest piece of pearl jewelry on record is from the Persian Gulf region; a  2,500-3,000 year-old pearl necklace, made up of a triple row of 216  fairly well preserved pearls either from the late Elamite civilization or the Archemenid period that followed, dating back approximately to the 9th to 6th-century B.C. discovered in 1901 by archaeologist J. Morgan, in Susa, the capital of Elam, that was situated in the southwest of modern day Iran, in the province of Khuzestan, inside a bronze sarcophagus, belonging to a mummified body. This pearl necklace is a prominent exhibit in the Persian Gallery of the Louvre Museum in Paris. 

This is a significant archaeological discovery that shows the knowledge of pearls and their appreciation was widespread among the ancient people of Iran. More archeological evidence of the widespread use of pearls in ancient Iran would have been eliminated, as pearls being organic gems would not have withstood long periods of burial extending for thousands of years, unless they were protected in the secluded environment of a sarcophagus. However, even in the relative safety of a sarcophagus some of the pearls were in an advanced state of deterioration and just crumbled on contact reducing the number of pearls from the original estimated 400 to 500  to a mere 216

Fiji Pearl Diamond Fashion Jewelry 20

Fiji Pearl Diamond Fashion Jewelry. 

By Aamir Mannan.

The Persian Gulf/Red Sea region is believed to be the home of mankind's first civilization, the Sumerian civilization that arose on the banks of the rivers of Euphrates and Tigris in Mesopotamia, in the period 5,900 B.C - 2,350 B.C. popularly known as the "Cradle of Human Civilization." The Sumerian empires were followed by the Akkadian (2,350 B.C.-2,193 B.C.), Babylonian (2,004-1,600 B.C.) and Assyrian empires (2000-1800 B.C. and 1600-1200 B.C.). Some of the other ancient civilizations 

of this region were the Ancient Egyptian Civilization (3,200-1,000 B.C.), Ancient Iranian - Elamite Civilization (3,200-539 B.C.), and the Ancient Anatolian Civilization (2,500-700 B.C.). Archaeological evidence from this region such as jewelry found inside sarcophagi, ancient sculptures, coins etc point to the ancient use of pearls as ornaments in this region. Such evidences are however scarce given the organic origin of pearls, that could not withstand the ravages caused by burial for long periods of time.

Falkland Islands Pearl Diamond Wedding Fashion Jewelry 19

Falkland Islands Pearl Diamond Wedding Fashion Jewelry.

By Aamir Mannan.

The Israelites were probably acquainted with pearls, but it is contentious whether the word pearl is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), referred to as the Old Testament by Christians. Some of the words mentioned in the Tanakh, that are argued by some to mean pearls are "peninim," "ra'mot," "netofot," "shoham" and "gabish."

"Peninim" and "ramot" are objects of great costliness, taken to mean pearls. "Peninim" as appearing in Lam.iv.7 is taken by some authorities to indicate objects whose color is red, probably red pearls. However, others consider the two words actually refer to red corals or red rubies. The word "Netifot" mentioned in Judges.viii.26 and Isa.iii.19 may not mean pearls, but is still used in Esth.i.6, where it is some versions are translated as pearls, because the corresponding Arabic word denotes pearls. In Job.xxviii.18 the value of wisdom is compared with the value of "gabish." Some authorities believe the word "gabish" refers to pearls, while others think it refers to rock crystal. The word "shoham" stones in Gen.ii.12 is also believed to indicate pearls.

Ethiopia Pearl Diamond Women Wedding Fashion Jewelry 18

Ethiopia Pearl Diamond Women Wedding Fashion Jewelry.

By Aamir Mannan.
A Rabbinical story in which Patriarch Abraham attempts to hide Sarah in a chest, so that foreign eyes might not behold her beauty, at the time they entered Egypt, serves to highlight the value placed on pearls by ancient Hebrews at that time. When they reached the point at which they were to pay custom dues, the officers requested Abraham to pay the dues on the goods carried by him, without caring to open the chest. When told that he was surely carrying clothes with him, Abraham acknowledged and said that he would pay the dues on them. When the officers questioned Abraham whether he carried gold, fine silk and pearls with him he 

acknowledged every one of them and agreed to pay tax on them. This aroused the suspicion of the custom officers, who ordered Abraham to open the chest, and as the story goes the chest was opened, and the land was illumined by the luster of Sarah's beauty.

In the story above, the items about which the custom officers questioned Abraham, clothes, gold, fine silk and pearls, showed an increasing gradation in value, according to market values obtaining at that time. Pearls were the most valued of all items at that time, and was the last question posed to Abraham. The stunned custom officers were actually keen in finding out what Abraham carried inside the chest that was more valuable than pearls !

Estonia Pearl Diamond Bridal Fashion Jewelry 17

Estonia Pearl Diamond Bridal Fashion Jewelry.

 By Aamir Mannan.

The Talmud, the sacred text of mainstream Judaism, make frequent references to pearls, as signifying something extraordinarily beautiful and very costly. Some examples of these references are :- "The coats which God had made for Adam and Eve were as beautiful as pearls"(Gen R xx 12); "The manna was as white as a pearl" (Yoma 75a); "A pearl that is worth thousands of zuzim" (Bava Batra 146a); "A pearl that has no price" (Yerushalami ix 12d); "The pearl is one of the things the purchase of which is not subject to the laws of Ona'ah, for the reason that the value of two matched pearls greatly exceeded the value of each one separately, (Bava Metzia iv 8, ib Gemara 58b).

One of the references, however, considers pearls to be inferior to precious stones (Ab. Zarah 8b). Pearls are compared to drops in one reference. "Oil remained on Aaron's beard like two pearl-drops" (Hor 12a). This is an obvious reference to drop-shaped pearls like the ones used in pendant earrings. The term "pearl" is used metaphorically to denote any valuable thing, eg. a good slave (Kid. 18a), or a halakah, or any reasonable interpretation, (Hag. 3a and 

Eritrea Pearl Diamond Fashion Wedding Jewelry 16

Eritrea Pearl Diamond Fashion Wedding Jewelry. 

By Aamir Mannan.

The most ancient reference to pearls comes from ancient China. In one of the oldest of books published in China, known as Sho King (Chuang Tzu) dating from 2,350 B.C. (4,350 B.P.) mention is made of a pearl from the River Huai, the natural boundary between north China and south China, being given as a tribute to Emperor Yu in 2206 B.C. (4,206 B.P.), and a string of near-spherical pearls from the province of King Kau also given as tribute. The book also mentions of pearls in tax records and of pearl rewards after death. An interesting Confucian ode, "If in life you gave no alms, In death how do you deserve a pearl?" is mentioned in this book. The ode is an exhortation to give charity to the poor, so that you can be rewarded in life after death. The ancient Chinese dictionary, the Nh'ya, published in 1,000 B.C. (3,000 B.P.) refer to pearls as precious jewels found in the province of Shen-

Si on the western frontier. China also gets the credit for the production of the first cultured pearls around the year 1,000 A.D. by inserting tiny lead Buddhas into freshwater mollusks  which was coated with mother-of-pearl, producing pearl Buddhas in a period of 1-2 years. Such pearl-coated Buddhas had special spiritual significance for the Chinese Buddhists.

Equatorial Guinea Pearl Diamond Fashion Jewelry15

Equatorial Guinea Pearl Diamond Fashion Jewelry.

 By Aamir Mannan.

The oldest sacred books of the Hindus known as the "Vedas," written in Sanskrit, contain many references to pearls. The "Rigveda"  the oldest of the "Vedas" originating in northwestern India 1,700-1,100 B.C. (3,700-3,300 B.P.) uses the word "krisana" in many verses, which is generally translated as signifying pearls. The "Atharvaveda" written around 1200-1,000 B.C. (3,200-3,000 B.P.) refers to an amulet made of pearls, and used as a talisman. References to pearls are also found in the two great epics of ancient India, the Ramayana, the ancient Sanskrit epic ascribed to the 

Hindu sage Valmiki, probably originating in the 5th-century B.C (2,500 B.P.); and the Mahabaratha, the Sanskrit philosophical/historic epic of the 4th-century B.C. (2,400 B.P.) attributed to Vyasa. Hindu Literature associates the pearl with Krishna, the 8th-incarnation of Vishnu, the most popular God of Hindu worship, who is believed to have retrieved pearls from the depths of th

e sea to adorn his daughter on the day of her wedding. The renowned classical Sanskrit writer, of the 4th or 5th century A.D. widely regarded as the greatest poet and dramatist in the Sanskrit Language, commonly known as the Hindu Shakespeare but preceded William Shakespeare by 12 centuries, makes frequent reference to pearls in his works, which he called "muktha" meaning "pure."

El Salvador Pearl Diamond Fashion Jewelry.14

El Salvador Pearl Diamond Fashion Jewelry.

By Aamir Mannan.

History of the Discovery and Appreciation of Pearls - the Organic Gem Perfected by Nature - Page 1

Pearls are Organic Gemstones Perfected by Nature and Possessing Unique Optical Properties that Cannot be Replicated by Human Intervention

Pearls are organic gems produced by Mollusks such as bivalves (oysters, mussels, clams, scallops etc.) and gastropods (sea snails like melo melo sea snail, queen conch, horse conch, abalone sea snail etc), considered as gifts of nature, that come ready-made, already perfected by nature, not requiring human intervention such as cutting and polishing, and possessing a luster and brilliance as in nacreous pearls, that sometimes exceeds such properties, created by man in inorganic gemstones using modern technical skills and innovations; and possessing unique optical properties such as orient and overtones, caused by the refraction of light as it passes through successive layers of nacre, giving rise to unique color combinations, that is not found in any inorganic gemstone including diamonds, and that cannot be replicated by human intervention.

Pearls were Perhaps the First Gemstones Discovered and Appreciated by Pre-historic Man

Being ready-made gems that come perfect from the hands of nature, pearls were perhaps the first gemstones discovered by ancient  and pre-historic man, during his perennial quest for food, one of early man's pre-occupations as a food gatherer. Having made the discovery that freshwater mussels and saltwater oysters were ideal sources of food, ancient man collected them by the thousands from  the rivers and the sea. In the process of shucking these mussels and oysters ancient man would have stumbled upon the first pearls, with their beautiful luster and brilliance, which he came to like and appreciate for their beauty. Had the pearls been rough, and dull in appearance they would not have captured his attention, and like other inorganic gemstones such as diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, etc. pearls would have waited for several millennia more until man's cultural evolution would have progressed to that extent, enabling cutting and polishing to reveal their beauty.

Further, by experience pre-historic man would also have learnt that pearls were not found in all oysters and were elusive and extremely rare, found just in a few oysters out of thousands of oysters shucked. Such extreme rarity would have naturally instilled in ancient man an admiration and awe for these elusive creations of nature, to which he ascribed  a spiritual provenance, fit only to be adorned by members of the royalty and nobility, who were considered as agents of the creator on earth. Pearls and the more easily obtainable mother-of-pearl shells were among the first materials of adornment incorporated into items of jewelry by ancient man. However, the use of pearls in adornments evolved simultaneously with ancient man's ability to drill various materials, both of organic and inorganic origin and convert them into beads.

 

Egypt Pearl Diamond Fashion Jewelry 13

Egypt Pearl Diamond Fashion Jewelry. 

By Aamir Mannan.

We know that in ancient civilizations, long before recorded history, people adorned themselves with seashells and beads made from seashells. Therefore it is not surprising that the earliest use of mother of pearl in jewelry occurred in Egypt, about 5,200 years ago. Mother of pearl was used to make cartouches and beads. There are rare examples of pearls in the paintings and statuary of these eras in ancient Egypt, but pearls themselves appear to have been uncommon in these ancient dynasties.

Pearl History of China

China claims the earliest mention of pearls in their historical texts, about 4,000 years ago. Mentioned specifically were freshwater pearls from the river Hwai and the province of King Hau; these were described as "not quite round", which is still a common description of freshwater pearls! Chinese history mentions freshwater pearls in connection with many other ponds and rivers in China. There are also mentions of sea pearls from Cochin, China as well as Japan.

Related Articles and Forum Threads

:

- Pearls in History

- Famous Pearls

- More Famous Pearls

- William Sawville-Kent

- The Pearl Exhibition in Paris

- Matarban Gulf Burmese Pearls

- Carl Linnaeaus and the Cultured Pearl

Pearl History of India

India has a long and glorious history of appreciating pearls. About 3,000 years ago, pearls were mentioned in the Rigveda, the oldest of the Vedas. Around 2,500 years ago, the Atharaveda mentions an amulet made of pearls and used as a talisman. The ancient epic poem, the Ramayana, describes a necklace made with 27 pearls. Imagine the classic 16-inch necklace of about 9-11mm pearls - these would have been spectacular pearls! The god Krishna is also associated with pearls in important stories.