History of pearls

Historians have found mentions of pearls in ancient writing from approximately 4200 years ago.

Because of their pure, flattering radiance, pearls were sought and loved. If someone found a natural pearl in the search for mussels, they were considered to be blessed by the stars in luck, love and success.

In ancient Egypt pearls had a high reputation, as evidence shows they were displayed on the tombs of Pharaohs. Among the Greeks the pearl stood for perfect purity. The ancient Romans called the pearl `Margarita`, a name associated with 'beloved'. In the Middle Ages, pearls were worn not only as ornaments, but also as embroidered garments or emblazoned sacred objects symbolizing the love of God. Pearl jewellery has always been a sign of luxury in the royal houses, and later in the upper middle classes.
Since pearls were a rare serendipitous product of nature for a long time, the Japanese tried to get behind the secret of pearl growth and master the art. At the end of the 19th century, Kokichi Mikimoto from Japan first placed a nucleus of a special shell into another shell, which then becomes encased with a mother-of-pearl. In 1921, Mikimoto was able to present the first cultured pearl on the Parisian jewellery exchange. This was the beginning of the age of the cultured pearl.