Pearls History, Al-rashid Cyber Mall

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Pearls History

Pearl, June's birthstone, is one of the most revered gems on the planet. If rubies are the King of Gems, then pearls are the Queen of Gems. The oldest known natural pearl necklace, which now resides in the Louvre in Paris, was traced back to a Persian Princess of the fourth century B.C.

Cultured pearl farms and the development of freshwater pearls around the world may have brought pearl jewelry to within reasonable prices, but for centuries it remained the privilege of the very wealthy to possess. The Romans were especially enamored of the rare saltwater gems, and Cleopatra's famous (if apocryphal) dissolving of a pearl in wine was supposedly to demonstrate Egypt's vast wealth to Mark Antony, not to seduce him.

In the Koran, it states that a good Muslim, upon entering the Kingdom of Heaven, "is crowned with pearls of incomparable lustre, and is attended by beautiful maidens resembling hidden pearls."

In legend, pearls have possessed special mystical powers and healing virtues. Roman women are believed to have slept with pearls to sweeten their dreams, as well as embroidered them tirelessly into their clothes and upholstery. Ancient Asian cultures used pearls in medicinal ways to cure eye ailments, heart trouble, indigestion, fever and bleeding. In India, pearls were believed to give peace of mind and strength of body and soul. Europeans also believed that the powder of the pearl, as well as swallowing it whole, cured matters of the mind and heart, and strengthened nerves.

Pearls are deemed especially appropriate for weddings. In fact, the color of white pearl, known in fashion as ecru, is the second most popular color for wedding dresses in the U.S. The dedication of the pearl to marriage dates back to early Hindu civilization. It said that Krishna drew a pearl from the sea for his beautiful daughter Pandaia to wear on her wedding day. In addition to its place as June's birthstone, pearl is also the recommended gift for couples celebrating their third and 30th wedding anniversary.