Dating back over 4,000 years, pearls are indeed the queen of gems. It's no wonder that the highly valued pearls are a royal symbol and were once adorned by the queens of majestic empires. Since the first pearl was discovered shimmering within a shell, humans all across the world coveted it. If you are a fan of the iridescent glow of the classic gemstone, dive into this article to discover some interesting details about the history of pearls.
The Origin of Pearl Rings
The origin of pearls has different myths in various cultures. According to the Arabs, these gems were tears of the gods that fell into the ocean and made their way into oysters. According to the Greeks, Aphrodite, the goddess of love, shed pearls for tears.
Pearls also find a mention in the Bible. According to the Bible, the gates of Heaven were made of pearls. In Hinduism, Lord Krishna is considered the first person to discover the first pearl. It is believed that he plucked a pearl from the sea to give to his daughter on her wedding day.
The ancient Indian epic "Ramayana" also mentions a particular pearl necklace with 27 gems. It was given to Hanuman as an appreciation for his heroism, which clearly denotes that pearls have existed for centuries.
Due to the milky hue of pearls, they are often associated with the moon. In Vedic texts, pearls are referred to as the daughter of the moon.
But when were pearls discovered? There's no definite answer to it because the history of pearls dates back centuries. But the first cultured pearl, or pearl made from human intervention, came out in 1893 and was made by Kokichi Mikimoto, the son of a Japanese noodle maker.
Now this brings us to the question, "How are pearls formed?" A pearl is formed when an irritant, like a food particle, gets trapped inside an oyster's shell. Cultured pearls are also formed like natural pearls, except the irritant is introduced manually.
Pearl Rings During the Middle Ages and Renaissance
In ancient China, pearls symbolized the purity of the person who wore it. In the Middle Ages, pearls were not just adorned by women. Several warriors wore pearls to the battlefield because they were considered lucky charms. According to myths, Cleopatra once crushed a pearl into a wine glass to show Marc Antony that she could throw the most expensive dinner.
Pearls were so precious at the time that Julius Caesar made them a gemstone for the ruling classes. For a long time, pearls were for the royal members of the court and the aristocrats. But that was not because of the law of order. Due to the high value of pearls, they were beyond the reach of the common.
Pearl Jewelry from the 17th to the 29th Century
In the 1800s, pearls could be found in the Upper Mississippi River. It led to a treasure hunt that was quite similar to the gold rush in California. Millions of mussels, mother-of-pearls were killed due to the heavy demand.
The demand for pearls escalated in Western Europe in the 18th century. By the 19th century, noble and royal ladies started wearing pearl earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and brooches. Due to the high demand for pearls during this time, oyster stocks began to dwindle.
Japanese researchers sought ways to cultivate pearls to meet the growing demand between the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It finally led to the cultivation of cultured pearls. In a period of less than 50 years since the inception of cultured pearls, gemstones have become more accessible.
Pearl Rings Today
Pearl rings have become an important feminine piece of jewelry because of their timeless elegance. The evolution of pearl rings enables a modern woman to elevate her minimalist yet classy outfits. Pearl rings are perfect for women who want to avoid blingy stones but still flaunt chic jewelry. A timeless pearl can be easily paired with all outfits for a dramatic and aesthetic look.
Popular Types of Pearl Rings
The most popular types of pearl rings available today are as follows:
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Tahitian Pearl Rings
These pearls are primarily cultivated around the French Polynesia islands, particularly Tahiti. These saltwater pearls can be gray, black, or brown with blue, purple, pink, or green overtones. The Tahitian pearls are also referred to as black pearls.
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Freshwater Pearl Rings
Freshwater pearls are quite common and are popular among customers and jewelry designers due to their incredible variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. Moreover, they are commercially available at extremely low prices. They are typically cultured in freshwater lakes and ponds, with several pearls growing in a single oyster. The freshwater pearl origin country is China.
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South Sea Pearl Rings
South Sea pearl rings originate from Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines. These pearls usually have a white to silvery or golden glow, depending on the type of oyster they are made from. Due to their long growth period, they have a thick nacre and are available in large sizes. The limited, critical growing conditions of the saltwater pearls increase their value.
Pearl Rings as an Element of Fashion
For centuries, Pearl Jewelry has been fashionable due to its beauty and elegance. During the Victorian age, small pearls served as accents in jewelry. The Edwardian era popularized the white-on-white effect of pearls in platinum or white gold to give them an elegant and luxurious look.
While talking about the history of pearls in fashion, one cannot forget Coco Chanel. The opulent layering of pearl ropes was the designer's signature style. According to the dynamic designer who used jewelry to establish her authority and social supremacy, "a woman needs ropes and ropes of pearls."
Fashion lore reveals that Coco's lovers, the Duke of Westminster and Grand Duke Dimitri Pavlovich, regularly spoiled her with jewelry. But her undisputed favorite was the rope of pearls because of their unique glow, which highlights a woman's facial features. Coco flaunted ropes of pearls even on the most casual occasions to accentuate her minimalist style. Interestingly, the concept of designing fake, oversized pearls led to the introduction of Chanel jewelry.
In recent times, pearl jewelry has regained a firm position in the fashion world. Pearls have always been symbolic of simplicity and elegance at the same time. A lot of modern designers are adding pearls to their collections in innovative ways.
Another notable fashion trend is the popularity of pearl rings in recent times. Celebrities like Ariana Grande and Emma Stone can be attributed to the popularization of pearl engagement rings. Grande's engagement ring had a diamond set with a pearl on the border.
According to the history of pearl rings, they are used as engagement rings for a reason. Pearl rings symbolize loyalty, integrity, and wisdom, necessary for building a happy and healthy relationship with your partner. The non-traditional engagement rings are also visually beautiful and can be worn with different outfits.
Ending Note
The pearl jewelry industry has a bright future, with a predicted revenue of $25 billion by 2030. The timeless elegance of pearls will ensure you can never be out of style while flaunting them. Whether for an engagement or a wedding, pearl rings are unique but elegant. Therefore, explore the finest collection of pearl rings at Rosec Jewels now!
