Sunday, March 29, 2009

Intro to Pearls - History

The pearl is unique among all other gemstones in the world. It is the only gem that is grown inside a living organism.

Cartier & Co. traded two strands of pearls for a magnificent building on New York's Fifth Avenue in 1916.

Commoners were once prohibited from wearing pearls. From the 13th to the 16th centuries, only European royalty could wear pearls.

Christopher Columbus was convinced he had discovered Japan when he found Indians in the New World wearing pearls.

Pearls were favorites of English royalty. Many of their gowns were studded extensively with pearls.

Marie Antoinette designed a coffee cup using pearls. Since pearls are considered to be the most feminine of gems, Marie Antoinette's choice to use pearls is very much in style of a woman who reverently sought femininity.

2 comments:

  1. those earrings are glorious!! lovely little history lesson too - thanks!

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  2. Love your shop!! You have the most amazing earrings. Very interesting post about pearls. Never really think about them while wearing them. Now I will.

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