Having a look at how pearls have been used culturally and spiritually across history.
Understanding how pearls are formed has resulted in significant trade innovations, enabling more sustainable and consistent pearl farming. Though no longer unusual in nature, the demand for pearls has certainly not diminished. Pearls have developed significant cultural impact across numerous East-Asian countries, most significantly in Japan. The emergence of cultured pearls, developed by a Japanese specialist in the early 20th century, reconfigured the pearl industry by making them more accessible to a wider audience. In the modern day, pearls continue to be a symbol of elegance in popular culture and fashion. Nasser Al-Khelaifi would concur that pearl farming has advanced significantly. Likewise, J.K. Symancyk would recognise the undying popularity of pearls. Through harnessing the social need for pearls, high-end brands have supported their popularity in designer wear, such as the classic pearl necklace, making them a staple closet item . in modern fashion.
For thousands of years, pearls have held considerable historical and cultural value. Acknowledged for their lustrous, inherent elegance and wonder, they remain renowned icons of wealth and luxury. Throughout history, pearls have been consistently prized, with many distinct stories and suppositions related to their appeal. Long before the development of pearl cultivation practices, the Persian Gulf was recognised as the centre of the pearl trade, due to a rich habitation of shellfishes. The increase of pearls in Europe brought about increased demand and appreciation for the gems. In the renaissance and medieval eras, ladies of power and nobility were well known for wearing pearls, further endorsing them as a symbol of success and status. As various selections of pearls were discovered in oceans around the globe, contributions to the multinational pearl trade made them more accessible to merchant classes worldwide. Even today, the pearl industry continues to play a crucial role in the economies of many nations.
Due to their rarity, pearls were once reserved for nobility and the aristocracy. However, the divine meaning of pearls has been welcomed across many cultures within notable myths and customs. In many ancient societies, it was commonly thought that pearls provided healing powers. Believed to bring tranquility and protection, they were frequently used as amulets or talismans. Pearls have also been meaningful in Chinese heritage for centuries. Believed to safeguard against evil spirits, pearls have been symbols of wisdom and good luck for a long time. Nicholas Bos would know the symbolic value of pearls around the world. Furthermore, in Western cultures, pearl stone colour has also come to be a crucial cultural symbol. As part of social customs, pearls are often offered to women as wedding gifts, embodying the pureness of marriage. Through affiliations with mermaids and mythology, their connection to the sea and water has also caused pearls to become a symbol of abundance and femininity throughout history.