Pearl Story

The Rich History of 'The Queen of Gems'

The Most beautiful pearl.. did you know India gave pearl to the world. Pearls have been prized and collected for more than 4000 years, giving them the title of the world's oldest gem. Pearls have long been treasured and highly valued in many cultures throughout history. As far back as 2300 BC, Chinese records indicate that pearls were the prized possessions of (and gifts to) royalty. In India, ancient Hindu texts repeatedly refer to pearls, stating in one place that the god Krishna discovered the first pearl. In ancient Egypt, mother-of-pearl was used for decorative purposes as far back as 4000 BC, although the use of actual pearls did not come until much later -perhaps the 5th century BC.

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 effect on the pearl industry of the discovery of pearl culturing, combined with Mikimoto's marketing enthusiasm, cannot be understated. During a span of less than 50 years at the beginning of the 20th century, thousands of years of pearl history were rewritten. Pearls -historically the exclusive possessions of royalty and aristocracy -became available to virtually anyone on the planet. Rather than pearl divers hunting, often in vain, for the elusive, naturally formed pearls, pearl farmers could now cultivate thousands upon thousands of pearls in virtually the same way as a wheat or corn farmer grows his own crop. And pearl lovers throughout the world could reap the benefits.

The principal oyster beds lay in the Persian Gulf, along the coasts of India and in the Red Sea. Chinese pearls came mostly from rivers and lakes whilst Japanese pearls were found in salt water.

As Europe expanded into the New World and pearl beds were discovered in the waters of Central and South America, pearls became increasingly popular at the royal courts of Europe. Some countries passed laws forbidding all but nobility to wear them.

The popularity of pearls came at a price. By the 1800's overfishing had depleted most of the American oyster populations. Until the end of the 19th century, pearls were available only to the rich.

In the early 1900's, a revolution in pearl production occured.Kokichi Mikimoto, son of a Japanese noodle maker, harnessed techniques for introducing an irritant into the oyster to stimulate the secretion of nacre which forms the pearl.

Down South India we have many pearl Fisheries, Portuguese, Dutch and English when Invaded India increased pearl fisheries in India. Hyderabad is called the city of pearls with India's biggest pearl fisheries. As the time moved by a lot of imitation of pearls is quite popular today. In lots of fashion Shows and Shoots we see stylists using imitation pearl. Also real pearl being expensive a lot of poor women in India use pearl strings to accessorize themselves