Pearls are amongst the oldest and most universal of
all gems. They are the oldest jewels know to man,
and the only gem made by a living animal. The oldest
surviving pearl necklace is nearly 2000 years old
and was found in the sarcophagus of a Persian
Princess. In many countries pearls were worn as a
declaration of wealth and power, and also used as a
talisman to bring good fortune, to ward off evil
spirits and to cure illnesses.
Pearls were symbolic of purity, chastity and
feminine charm. Pearls were worn in civilised Middle
East and Asian societies as early as 3500 BC., and
continued to grow in popularity during Roman times
when pearl fever reached its peak. A pearl earring
reportedly paid for one Roman general's political
campaign, and Roman women were richly covered in
pearls. Pearls found a place in Julius Caesar's
heart, and Cleopatra dissolved a pearl in wine and
drank it to prove her love to Marc Antonius.
