Pearls: A Timeless Classic
Pearls are one of the most timeless and classic gemstones one can own. These gemstones rival diamonds in their classic nature. Perhaps the allure of pearls can be from the fact that they are the only gemstone made from a living creature or the fact that it takes up to eight years just to make one. Whatever the reason may be we would like to highlight this ever fascinating gemstone.
A pearl’s color depends on the species of the mollusk it comes from and usually the color of the pearl matches the inside of the mollusk’s shell. They can range from white to pink to black. This being said, Tahitian pearls (also referred to as Black Pearls) are considered to be some of the rarest and most beautiful pearls in the world. This is due to the fact that the black lipped oyster only produces one pearl at a time, if at all.
Pearls were extremely rare and valuable all the way up until the mid-1900s. Pierre Cartier purchased the mansion on 5th Ave in New York for only $100 in cash and a double stranded natural pearl necklace which at the time was valued at over a million dollars!
The double stranded necklace today is only worth around $170,000 but the Cartier store is considered a New York City landmark and is valued at over $20million.
The decrease in the value happened with two major events: the stock market crash of 1929 and Mikimoto’s discovery of the cultivation of pearls. By the late 1930’s Mikimoto was producing about 10 million pearls a year. It was also rumored that he believed so much in pearls and their medical uses that he swallowed two Akoya pearls a day. Mikimoto died in the mid-50’s but his legacy and brand are still thriving today.
Even though cultured pearls brought a decrease in value, they also brought increased popularity. In the 50’s the staple to any woman’s outfit was a strand of pearls and some pearl earrings. Some pop icons that also promoted the popularity of pearls were Jackie O, Grace Kelly, and Audrey Hepburn in the ever classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
The one pop icon that stands out when it comes to pearls is of course, Elizabeth Taylor. She was owner to one of the most famous pearls, the La Peregrina. This pear shaped pearl weighs 203.84 grams is the largest perfectly symmetrical pearl in the world. Other famous owners of the La Peregrina were Mary I of England and Phillip II of Spain. When Richard Burton presented it to Elizabeth Taylor, she hired Cartier to redesign it in a necklace with pearls, diamonds and rubies.
To explore Hyde Park’s wonderful pearl selection please visit:
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