Interesting Facts About Pearls

1. Pearls Are the Only Gem Created by a Living Organism

Unlike diamonds, rubies, or emeralds, pearls are formed inside mollusks like oysters and mussels making them the only organic gemstone in the world.

2. No Cutting or Polishing Needed

Pearls are naturally beautiful. They come out of the shell with a glowing finish meaning they don’t need to be cut, shaped, or polished like other gemstones.

3. Natural Pearls Are Extremely Rare

Only 1 in 10,000 wild oysters produces a natural pearl. That’s why most pearls today are cultured using human-assisted techniques.

4. There Are Over 30 Types of Pearls

From Akoya, Tahitian, South Sea pearls to Freshwater parls each type varies in size, shape, colour, and origin. Some pearls are even metallic black, blue, or golden!

5. Pearls Have Been Used as Currency

In ancient Rome and China, pearls were so valuable they were used as a form of currency and royal tax.

6. Pearls Are Sensitive to Acidity and Chemicals

They’re made of calcium carbonate, so pearls can be damaged by perfume, sweat, or vinegar. That’s why they should always be the last thing you wear and first thing you remove.

7. Some Pearls Take Years to Form

A high-quality pearl can take 2 to 7 years to grow inside the mollusk, depending on its size, type, and environment.

8. Baroque Pearls Are Beautifully Imperfect

Not all pearls are round! Baroque pearls are irregularly shaped, and their unique forms are highly prized in modern and artistic jewellery.

9. Pearls Are Considered Lucky in Many Cultures

In India, pearls are linked with purity, peace, and prosperity, while in other cultures they’re considered symbols of wisdom, wealth, and love.

10. Cleopatra’s Pearl Drink – A Famous Legend

Queen Cleopatra once crushed a giant pearl in vinegar and drank it to prove to Mark Antony that she could host the most expensive dinner in history!

11. Men Wore Pearls Long Before Women Did

In ancient Persia and among Indian royals, men wore pearl necklaces and earrings as a sign of status and strength.

12. Pearls Can Be Found in Freshwater and Saltwater

Saltwater pearls usually come from oysters, while freshwater pearls come from mussels  each offering different lustres and colours.

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