Throughout history, pearls have been a symbol of beauty and high status. The natural rarity of pearls contributes to their worth and unique appeal. Although naturally occurring pearls are quite rare to find in modern society, there are a number of methods used to create and enhance a pearl in order to make these precious objects available to the masses to wear as jewelry or to adorn clothing. Deeply rooted in the depths of the oceans, pearls have mystified and intrigued humans for thousands of years and they continue to garner mass appeal today.
The historical origin of pearl jewelry goes back to ancient times when pearls were rare symbols of natural perfection. The reason it was so difficult to find these pears was due to the fact that divers had to scour the ocean floor in order to search for the perfect pearl from the mouths of mussels and oysters. The acquisition of these pearls was a far cry from the process we use today. In the year 206 BC, the Chinese were among the first to search for pearls. Royal subjects were among the lucky few to attain this most rare gem at the time. As a natural circle, pearls symbolized mystical forces in the universe and their display was said to bestow a certain power over the owner.
Since the beginning of pearl cultivation these beautiful gems have been used for a variety of jewelry adornments. In addition to placing pearls on royal crows and the clothing fashion of royal subjects, pearls have always been a focal point in a beautiful piece of jewelry. The Incas and the Aztecs prized pearls for their magical powers, and displayed them prominently in beautiful necklaces. Pearls have also been made into rings, earrings, and brooches. In most cases, the larger the pearl- the more valuable it is. In addition to its size, the luster, the color and the shape of the pearl contribute to its worth.