Pearls

Pearls

The jewel of the Orient

When dew drops filled with moonlight fell into the ocean and were swallowed up by oysters, pearls were born, goes an old Arab legend. The modern scientific explanation is not nearly as romantic but still quite fascinating.

This intriguing gift from the sea was brought back from the Orient by the Crusaders. Here are a few interesting facts about pearls: The pearl was the favoured gem of the wealthy during the time of the Roman Empire and were once considered an exclusive privilege of royalty. Roman women wore pearls to bed so they could be reminded of their wealth immediately upon awakening. In 1612, the Duke of Saxony drew up a law prohibiting the wearing of pearls by nobility, professors, doctors or their wives.

The ancient Hindus used pearls as one of the five precious gems in the magical necklace of Lord Vishnu. There were and are many sacred idols decorated with precious pearls.

A single pearl was worn by priests over the “Third Eye” in ancient days to elevate their psychic power vision.