All About Pearls

Pearls have been coveted throughout recorded history. They are sometimes referred to as “the world’s oldest gem” due to their prevalence in ancient societies as well as modern day. Dating back to 2300 BCE in ancient Chinese civilizations, pearls were believed to hold mystical abilities. In ancient Greece, pearls were first recorded as being given as gifts, and in the ancient Byzantine empire, pearl jewelry was only permitted to be worn by the emperors themselves. Unlike any other gemstones found on Earth, pearls are extraordinarily unique in the fact that they are formed by living organisms. Not to mention the fact that they are the only known gemstone to form in the sea rather than deep below the surface of Earth’s crust. Pearls are formed when a tiny piece of debris manages to slip through the pursed grasp of an oyster, and over time layers of a calcium-rich substance begin to accumulate around the object. When found in the wild, pearls need no polishing or cutting to be showroom-ready. Unfortunately, due to over-hunting throughout the 20th century, the world’s population of natural pearls has drastically diminished. However, in the late 1800s, a Japanese man created the first “man-made” pearl by inserting a small object into an oyster. This sent shockwaves throughout the gemology community, as it was previously believed to be an impossible feat. At first, the majority of people assumed the stone was fake, or lesser than a naturally found pearl. Thanks to scientists and gemologists, who tested the pearls he was producing, discovered that they were 100% identical to natural pearls. This led to a boom in oyster pearl farms throughout eastern Asia in the 20th century. Despite efforts to squash the trend at its inception, most of the pearls and pearl jewelry you’ll see in jewelry stores today originate from pearl farms. Naturally formed pearls are incredibly rare these days, but can still sometimes be found off the coasts of Australia and Bahrain. Throughout history, pearls have been held in high regard, and have been believed to possess magical qualities. In ancient China, pearls were thought to come from the brains of slain dragons, which meant they would ward off the vicious creatures if worn. In other ancient societies, pearls were believed to have come to Earth from the moon. In more recent history, pearls have become synonymous with purity and love. At Malak Jewelers, pearls are still a staple in the selection of fine and estate jewelry we offer. We understand how precious these gemstones are, and want to pass that on to you, our valued customers. If you do make a purchase of pearl jewelry, we recommend that you wipe the piece down after wearing it for an extended period of time, as the acidity of perspiration can damage the pearls. We also recommend that you try to keep your pearl jewelry away from direct heat, as this can also cause damage over time. Next time you stop by the Malak Jewelers showroom in Charlotte, North Carolina, be sure to ask about our collection of pearl jewelry. We have rings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets, and more. Give the gift of pearls for your next anniversary, June birthday, or as a special surprise for a loved one for Valentine’s Day or Mother’s day. Shop in store with us, or visit our website to shop pearl jewelry online.