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The idea that a given material is, by nature, precious, is a relatively recent one. The idea that one material was precious while another was merely semi-precious simply did not exist in ancient times. The idea of dividing gemstones into the categories of precious and semi-precious is a relatively modern idea. The word semiprecious itself entered the English lexicon only in the nineteenth century..... (2003) Complete Story
In addition to black pearls, the sultry waters of the South Pacific also produce white pearls. Three species of pearl oyster are found in southern Pacific waters. The most important of these, the Pinctada maxima, is the largest of the pearl oysters. Three subspecies or varieties of Pinctada maxima are the white lip, silver lip, and the yellow or golden lip oysters. The largest known pearl produced by the Pinctada maxima oyster is 24mm in diameter. These three siblings produce pearls that range from a white to silver white through yellow to a distinct golden hue.... (2006) Complete Story
The black pearl was not known at all in the West in ancient times. Black pearls first came on the market in 1845. Originally they were not highly esteemed, selling for a fraction of the price brought by white pearls from the traditional sources in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Mannar. The Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, was the person most responsible for bringing the black pearl into fashion. After the fall of Napoleon III, a fine necklace owned by the former Empress was auctioned at Christies for twenty thousand dollars, the equivalent of several hundred thousand of todays dollars.... (2006) Complete Story
The romance of the South Seas! The exotic mystery of the black pearl! It is this combination that has lured me to travel over ten thousand miles to Manihi Island, a remote speck of land in the Tuamotu island group, three hundred fifty miles northeast of Tahiti. It is only in these far-off islands that the natural conditions exist for the culture of this unique gem.... (2006) Complete Story
