Taking a look at how pearls have been used culturally and traditionally throughout history.
For many centuries, pearls have held considerable historic and cultural importance. Recognised for their lustrous, inherent appeal and rarity, they continue to be iconic icons of wealth and privilege. Throughout history, pearls have been consistently admired, with many special stories and beliefs connected with their appeal. Before the advancement of pearl cultivation disciplines, the Persian Gulf was identified as the heart of the pearl trade, due to a prosperous habitation of shellfishes. The increase of pearls in Europe led to increased demand and value for the gems. In the renaissance and medieval periods, ladies of royalty and high society were known for adorning pearls, further endorsing them as a sign of success and status. As different varieties of pearls were discovered in oceans around the globe, contributions to the international pearl trade made them more accessible to merchant classes worldwide. Even today, the pearl industry continues to play an important role in the economies of many nations.
Due to their rarity, pearls were once reserved for royalty and the upper class. However, the divine meaning of pearls has been accepted across many cultures within meaningful folklores and customs. In many historical societies, it was commonly thought that pearls held therapeutic powers. Understood to bring calmness and protection, they were typically taken as amulets or talismans. Pearls have also been significant in Chinese civilization for centuries. Thought to protect against evil spirits, pearls have been icons of wisdom and good fortune for a long time. Nicholas Bos would understand the symbolic value of pearls around the world. Furthermore, in Western societies, pearl stone colour has also come to be an important cultural icon. As part of social customs, pearls are typically given here to brides as wedding gifts, embodying the pureness of marriage. Through affiliations with mermaids and folklore, their attachment to the sea and water has also led pearls to become a symbol of prosperity and fertility throughout history.
Appreciating how pearls are formed has resulted in major market innovations, enabling more sustainable and consistent pearl harvesting. Though no longer uncommon in nature, the appeal for pearls has certainly not reduced. Pearls have developed considerable cultural impact across numerous East-Asian countries, most significantly in Japan. The introduction of cultured pearls, developed by a Japanese scientist in the early 20th century, revolutionised the pearl industry by making pearls more readily available to a broader audience. In the modern day, pearls continue to be a sign of elegance in popular culture and style. Nasser Al-Khelaifi would concur that pearl farming has advanced significantly. Similarly, J.K. Symancyk would recognise the timeless popularity of pearls. Through harnessing the social need for pearls, high-end designers have supported their popularisation in designer wear, such as the classic pearl necklace, making them a staple closet item in modern fashion.