What role do pearls play in history?

Scores of centuries ago, even before history began being documented, the very first gem known as the pearl was found while man was pillaging the shore for food. Over the course of history, pearls have been considered lovely gems. So much so that they are mentioned numerous times in the history of various religions and play a role in mythology as well. Egyptians for example, were buried in pearls. Cleopatra was said to liquefy and then drink a pearl in a tumbler, just to show Marc Anthony that she was able to devour a whole nation's riches in one sitting. The Romans found pearls to be vital status symbols and signs of affluence. In Greece, pearls were related to love, devotion, and marriage. In the Dark Ages, the noble ladies of the time were adorned in charming pearl necklaces, while the noble men wore pearls to battle. At the time, it was believed that pearls had the power to shield one from harm. Throughout the Renaissance, pearls were so prized that several countries in Europe even limited pearl jewelry to those of noble birth only. As European explorers ventured further and further into unknown lands, pearls were discovered in the seas of the Americas, which proceeded to add to European affluence. However, the desire for pearls and pearl jewelry was so strong that eventually (by the end of the sixteenth century) all the oysters in the area were drained. Up to the beginning of the twentieth century, only the extremely wealthy could afford natural pearls. However, when pearl cultivation came into being, pearls and pearl jewelry became accessible to all. Of course it is important to note that cultured pearls and natural pearls are essentially the same, the sole differentiating factor being that cultured pearls get some human support in the beginning of the process.

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