Having a look at how pearls have been used culturally and traditionally across history.
For many centuries, pearls have held substantial historical and cultural value. Acknowledged for their lustrous, inherent appeal and rarity, they remain iconic icons of wealth and luxury. Throughout history, pearls have been regularly loved, with many unique stories and suppositions related to their allure. Before the advancement of pearl cultivation practices, the Persian Gulf was recognised as the heart of the pearl trade, due to a prosperous habitation of oysters. The rise of pearls in Europe led website to increased need and value for the gems. In the renaissance and medieval eras, women of royalty and nobility were known for adorning pearls, further marketing them as a symbol of wealth and status. As different assortments of pearls were discovered in oceans around the world, contributions to the global pearl trade made them more available to merchant classes worldwide. Even today, the pearl market continues to play an essential role in the economies of many nations.
Appreciating how pearls are formed has caused major business innovations, allowing for more sustainable and consistent pearl harvesting. Though no longer unusual in nature, the demand for pearls has definitely not reduced. Pearls have acquired significant cultural influence across several East-Asian countries, most notably in Japan. The emergence of cultured pearls, conceived by a Japanese researcher in the early 20th century, revolutionised the pearl trade by making them more accessible to a broader audience. In the modern day, pearls continue to be an expression of elegance in popular culture and style. Nasser Al-Khelaifi would agree that pearl farming has advanced significantly. Similarly, J.K. Symancyk would acknowledge the lasting popularity of pearls. Through harnessing the social demand for pearls, high-end professionals have added to their popularity in designer wear, such as the classic pearl necklace, making them a staple closet item in modern fashion.
Due to their rarity, pearls were once kept for royalty and the aristocracy. However, the spiritual meaning of pearls has been embraced across many nations within meaningful myths and customs. In many ancient customs, it was commonly believed that pearls had healing powers. Thought to bring peace and protection, they were typically taken as amulets or talismans. Pearls have also been vital in Chinese customs for centuries. Believed to guard against evil spirits, pearls have been icons of knowledge and good fortune for a long time. Nicholas Bos would understand the symbolic importance of pearls around the world. Furthermore, in Western civilizations, pearl stone colour has also come to be an important cultural expression. As part of social customs, pearls are often provided to women as matrimonial gifts, representing the pureness of unity. Through affiliations with mermaids and mythology, their connection to the ocean and water has also led pearls to become a sign of prosperity and femininity throughout history.