Pearls by Angela Carol

Pearl jewelry- a symbol of power throughout history

Pearl jewelry is one of the most treasured of all the jewelry that a woman may have in her collection.  The pearl jewelry is prized above all others and for good reason.  For centuries pearl jewelry and single pearls in many cases have been valued and treasured as some of the most exotic jewels ever.  They have had a long standing of a symbol of wealth and power and to this day they still hold that same view for many people.  Think about a pearl strand necklace and when you close your eyes what kind of woman do you see wearing them?  Queens of England, Russian princesses, a Kennedy woman, these are all people that represent power and wealth and you will surely see pearl jewelry on them.

Why have pearls signified power and wealth for so long?  It may be because when pearls were first discovered they were very rare and expensive.  There is a legend about Cleopatra making a bet with Caesar and saying that she could throw the most expensive party in the world.  He agreed to her wager.  That night Cleopatra and Caesar sat down to her elaborate dining table all strewn with jewels and riches and she ordered her servants to begin the first course.  Upon their plates were placed two large and exquisite pearls.  Caesar was amazed and about confused I would imagine.  Cleopatra then proceeded to crush her pearl upon her plate and put the pearl sand and dust into her goblet of wine.  She made sure that every last bit was put into the wine.  She then drank the goblet of wine and pearl to the bottom.  Caesar was so astonished that she had drunk the wine with the very valuable pearl and quickly declared her the winner of the wager, of course declining to drink his own pearl mixture. The pearl was that treasured.

Pearl jewelry has always been desired by many people and the rich seem to desire it the most.  Later on in history there are stories of people sewing pearls onto the robes to symbolize their status.  All through out history there are tales of how people of power and wealth would desire and obtain pearls, of how they would use them as jewelry and adornments.  People today still use pearls in the same fashion although not to the same extent.  People of today are a bit more refined in their use of pearls and pearl jewelry.  There are no stories of crushing pearls and drinking them that I have heard about lately.

Today many women enjoy wearing pearl jewelry.  Pearls are the birthstone of June.  They are also the most worn jewel during weddings.  Some believe that is because of the birthstone of June and many weddings happening in June, the traditional month for weddings.  Others say that wearing pearl jewelry during a wedding symbolizes love and innocence.  Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love was said to use pearls and that could be where the legend of pearls representing love comes from.  Any legend that you would like to believe is just fine as long as you understand the significant role that pearls have played in our history.

Pearl jewelry today should never be purchased by someone who does not know anything about pearls.  Always have a trusted jeweler that can help you pick out the perfect pearl for you.  Jewelry that is made from pearls is still a very popular item to have and many jewelers carry pearl jewelry.  Pearl jewelry can be a very good investment and should be thought of as such, so find a jeweler that is knowledgeable in pearls and find your self a symbol of power and wealth in a piece of pearl jewelry.