GEMSTONE OF THE MONTH - PEARLS (JUNE) - PART 2

As promised, here's the second part of my blog for June's gemstone of the month, -pearls - focusing on its many colours, shapes and interesting facts about this natural gemstone. 

​Pearls; their glorious colours and fantastic shape: Nearly all pearls sold today are cultured pearls and range in colour from white, ivory, lavender, black, purple, peach, pink and even gold. They get their colour from the inner elements of the oyster shell. Each one is unique and stunningly beautiful. ​The world's largest pearl (the Pearl of Lao Tzu) was found in 1934 in the Philippines. It is naturally occurring from a giant clam! Some pearls have fantastic shapes. Craftsmen and jewellers have created wonderful objects from pearls throughout the centuries.

Pearls: interesting things you probably didn't know?

• The Roman Emperor Caligula (41 AD) is recorded as decorating his horse with a pearl necklace after appointing it a consul. Roman Emperor Caligula, built a stable of marble for his horse, Incitatus, and covered him with luxurious, colourful robes. Before each race, Caligula would sleep beside him and order a silence in the city punishable by death. It is thought that Caligula was insane. 
• Cleopatra is said to have crushed a pearl into a glass of wine to prove to Marc Antony that she could give the most expensive meal in history​

• The Koran describes pearls as one of the greatest treasures provided in Paradise.
• In ancient religions, pearls were symbolic of the moon and thought to possess magical properties.
• Mother-of-pearl decorated clothing and jewellery in ancient Egypt, while ground up pearl was added to cosmetics and even building materials.
• In medieval Europe, only royalty and high nobility were allowed to wear pearls by law.​

• History reveals that women wore delicate pearls and their knights carried pearls for luck in battle.
• The ancient Greeks appreciated the value of pearls and thought them to bring love. They believed that wearing pearls would promote marital bliss and prevent newly married women from crying
• In 1917 jeweller Pierre Cartier is said to have bought his company’s Fifth Avenue headquarters in New York with $100 in cash and a two-strand natural pearl necklace which was valued at $1 million.
• Kokichi Mikimoto, who invented cultured pearls, believed that pearls aid longevity. It is said that he ate two pearls every morning ... and died aged 96.
• Traditional pearl divers made their living by diving to depths of 25 meters without any breathing apparatus. They were able to hold their breath for up to two minutes, often in freezing waters. 
• Pearls that grow attached to the animals' shell are called blister pearls
• ​Pearls are sold by the karat and their value is based on shape, colour, origin, perfection and lustre. A large perfect pearl from the South Pacific could cost more than $30,000

Next week: Part three of Gemstone of the Month - Pearls, featuring my top tips on how to look after your pearl jewellery. And if you enjoy wearing pearls as much as I enjoy making pearl jewellery, take a peek at these pieces I have made. 

Enjoy your pearls
Kate.x