Tranquil as the ocean, pearls are a magical birthstone. They pair well with our finest outfits and have made us smile for centuries. Pearls have a special way about them, and so do you! Their pearlescent shimmer is sure to make you feel as warm as the summer sun.
Let's dive into some facts about pearls that we believe every June Baby should know. From its pop culture history to its formation processes, there is much to learn and uncover about these modern birthstones.
Pearl Fascination
To truly understand pearls and their timeless beauty, it’s essential to first explore how and why they rose to such prominence. Pearls are unlike any other gemstone; they’re born from living creatures, not mined from the earth, and their formation is as much a miracle of nature as it is a symbol of grace. It's no wonder they are considered a staple alongside diamond rings and pendants.
From the shores of ancient civilizations to the runways of modern fashion, this birthstone has captivated royalty, artists, and designers alike. Pearl's soft, iridescent glow has come to represent purity, wisdom, and status across countless cultures.
But what exactly sparked humanity’s obsession with these ocean-born treasures? And how did something so delicate and rare become a global icon of elegance?
In this article, we’ll dive into the rich history, cultural significance, and enduring appeal of pearls—uncovering what makes them so special and why they continue to shine in jewelry boxes and style trends around the world.
Pearls' ancient history
Ancestors on the hunt
From as early as 100 BC until the mid-20th century, our ancestors fished for pearls along the Arabian coast, particularly near the shores of modern-day Qatar and Bahrain. For centuries, the methods of pearl diving and harvesting in this region remained virtually unchanged, passed down through generations as both a tradition and a livelihood. The Persian Gulf became the epicenter of the natural pearl trade, supplying some of the world’s most prized and valuable pearls long before the advent of cultured pearl farming.
The ancient technique of pearl hunting:
- Divers would use a nose clip made from turtle shell or wood to prevent water from rushing into their nostrils during deep descents. To protect their hands from sharp oyster shells and coral, they wore leather finger guards or hand coverings.
- Equipped with only two ropes, they would descend into the sea—one rope tied to a heavy stone that acted as a weight to pull them swiftly to the ocean floor, and the other attached to a netted basket used to collect oysters, each one a potential source of a precious natural pearl.
- With no modern breathing equipment, these divers held their breath for minutes at a time, often plunging to depths of up to 40 feet in a single dive.
Clearly this birthstone was worth the work and effort. How deep would you dive today to get your hands on one of Mother Nature's most opulent creations?
Pearls In Roman times
- Pearls were considered a luxury and a symbol of wealth and status.
- Roman historian Pliny the Elder wrote extensively about pearls in his Natural History, describing their exceptional value and immense popularity among the upper class. He observed that Roman women often spent vast sums on pearl jewelry, particularly earrings, and regarded pearls as some of their most prized possessions.
- The modern gemstone was so praised in the Roman Empire that some laws were instilled to restrict their ownership in large volumes.
Photo: Girl with a Pearl Earring, By Johannes Vermeer.
Pearls in the Renaissance
During the Renaissance, royals and nobles fiercely competed to own the finest pearls, wearing them proudly as symbols of status, wealth, and prestige. Across European courts, people traded, gifted, and celebrated pearls as powerful markers of influence. Artists often painted monarchs and aristocrats wearing lavish pearl jewelry, highlighting their high rank and opulence.
However, pearls were not only treasured for their association with social standing. They also served as a profound source of artistic inspiration.
- Leonardo da Vinci and Johannes Vermeer often featured pearls in their iconic works. They painted nobles and elite figures with extraordinary detail, capturing the luminous beauty of pearls in their portraits.
- Artistic masterpieces, featuring exquisitely painted pearls, adorned the grandest palaces and galleries, immortalizing pearls as both a symbol of status and a celebrated muse for Renaissance art.
- Collectors find the combination of art and pearl jewelry entrancing. Today, they would make great additions to anyone's vintage engagement ring collection.
Photo: Marilyn Monroe, Pearls; Bert Stern (American, 1929–2013); gelatin silver print
1930s to 1960s:
The appeal of Hollywood glamour during the Golden Age reignited a passion for pearl necklaces. Iconic stars like Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Marilyn Monroe wore pearls both on and off screen, transforming them into symbols of beauty, elegance, and stardom. Pearls became deeply associated with celebrity culture and timeless style, cementing their place as a fashion essential. Today, the modern June birthstone continues to captivate, making them a classic choice for those who value natural beauty.
Pearls formation process
Now that we understand how pearls rose to such prominence, let's wade into the shallow waters where mollusks dwell and explore the fascinating process behind the formation of these exquisite gems.
Any mollusk that makes a shell, like abalones, marine snails, clams, mussels, and oysters, can also make a pearl. One of the best pearl producers is the South Sea pearl oyster from Australia. This oyster lives alone, can grow over a foot long, and can survive for almost 40 years.
Because it lives so long, it can create some of the biggest and most beautiful pearls in the ocean. One South Sea pearl even sold for more than $1.5 million! These pearls are some of the most wanted and valuable gems in the world of luxury jewelry.
But how exactly is a pearl made?
A common myth suggests that a pearl forms when a grain of sand becomes trapped inside a mollusk. While charming, this story isn’t true. In reality, pearl formation usually begins when a tiny parasite or irritant invades the mollusk’s soft tissue, causing damage at the cellular level. In response, the mollusk initiates a fascinating defense mechanism: it secretes a smooth crystalline substance called nacre, also known as "mother of pearl."
Nacre, made of calcium carbonate and a unique protein composite, is remarkably strong yet lightweight; some say it's even stronger than concrete by weight. Over many years, the mollusk coats the irritant with thousands of layers of nacre, eventually forming the pearl we prize so highly. However, naturally occurring pearls of high value are incredibly rare; fewer than 1 in 10,000 wild pearl oysters will produce a gem-quality pearl, making them a true treasure of the sea.
More to discover with Dunkin's Diamonds
To learn more about this amazing June birthstone, read last year's article, where we explain why these natural treasures are truly worth the wait. You can find the article here, along with some of the finest pearl and diamond jewelry we have to offer. Also, stay tuned for any future articles where we dive deeper into more contemporary pearl birthstone jewelry.