Why only virgins could wear pearls, or 8 facts about the precious mineral

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 into them. These drops subsequently turned into pearls. Alas, this is just a legend. We will tell you some interesting facts about pearls that you did not even know about.

It is unlikely that anyone will argue with the fact that pearls are in fashion in any weather. Jewelry from this precious mineral is suitable for any outfit: put on a necklace complete with a black sheath dress – and you get a classic look in the style of Audrey Hepburn, complement an elegant blouse with pearl earrings – and now the image of a modern business woman is ready. However, this is not all there is to know about pearls.

• Pearl fact #1: Pearls were first used in ancient civilizations

  Pearl earrings from ancient Rome. / Photo: Tr.pinterest.com

  For the first time, pearls began to be used as jewelry in Chinese, Greek, Roman, Assyrian civilization. But the Egyptians bypassed pearls - 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 approximately 5,000 years old are stored. And in one of the Japanese museums there is a pearl jewelry that was found 10,000 years ago.

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

• Pearl fact #2: Pearls used to be worn only by virgins

  Ancient jewelers considered pearls a symbol of purity and innocence, and therefore often associated them with the image of the Virgin Mary. For this reason, most icons depicting the Mother of God are decorated with pearls, and that is why jewelry made from this mineral is often worn by brides at a wedding.

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

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

• Pearls fact #3: The fusion of two or more pearls is a very rare occurrence

  Great Southern Cross

  Until the 19th century, it was believed that in nature there were only single pearls that could not “combine” with each other. However, in 1874 this opinion was refuted. The reason for this was an amazing find off the Australian coast - 9 pearls that have grown together in the form of a cross. Subsequently, this miracle of nature was called the "Great Southern Cross", but disputes regarding its origin have not subsided so far.

  Many people think that a grandiose natural phenomenon is actually a deception, since a person made pearls in the form of a cross. This hypothesis was not confirmed by the facts, due to which the "Great Southern Cross" was awarded many medals and awards at the famous world exhibitions, and then went to be stored to the Vatican.

• Pearls fact #4: The price of a pearl depends on the owner

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

  Elizabeth Taylor and Coco Chanel

  Firstly, the color of the pearl - it must be perfectly clean without any inclusions. Secondly, the pearl shape and symmetry – a perfectly round pearl is considered the rarest, and, therefore, the most valuable. Also not the last place is occupied by pearls in the form of a drop. Thirdly, the ability to reflect – high-quality pearls should perfectly reflect light. 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 comes to mind first. The fashion designer was contemptuous of jewelry, considering them boring, but she adored pearls, and said that they were always right. A string of pearls that belonged to Chanel is now worth about $400,000. Another famous piece of jewelry belonged to Elizabeth Taylor in the 20th century - Peregrine's pearl, weighing 56 carats. After the death of the actress, the jewelry was bought at auction for $ 11.8 million.

  This is interesting: Pierre Cartier bought a luxurious house on Fifth Avenue for $ 100 and a string of pearls. At that time, the price of the jewelry was one million dollars (about $25,000,000 today).

• Pearl fact #5: Pearl is 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 fallen into the mantle. Although classified as a gemstone, pearls are significantly different from other gems that form in the earth's crust when magma cools under pressure.

• Pearl fact #6: One of the most expensive pearl jewelry cost $7 million

  In 2007, a Baroda necklace consisting of several strands and 68 natural pearls, ranging in diameter from 10 to 16 mm, was sold at Christie's for $7 million. 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 felt that the seven-strand jewelry was inconvenient to wear, and remade it into two strands. As for the 8.57-carat diamond clasp, it was designed by the French house Cartier. Notable is the fact that the name of the buyer of the necklace is still kept secret.

• Pearl fact #7: Pearl tribute was 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 associates). It was not only a symbol of wisdom, but also one of the most beloved stones of emperors. There is an opinion that the name of the mineral comes from the Chinese "zhen-gzhu".

  In China, pearls have always been an attribute of power and high position. A pearl attached to a 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 in the state. The mineral even managed to play the role of currency: in ancient China, it was customary to pay pearls for the most expensive and large acquisitions.

• Pearl fact #8: If the pearl dries out, it will deteriorate

  Pearl jewelry should be washed in soapy water

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

  However, not all pearls deteriorate in dryness. During expeditions to the desert, archaeologists have found specimens that are thousands years old, but at the same time they looked simply amazing. It is not known exactly what this is connected with.