Sunday

The History of Pearls Not Your Grandmothers Pearls

Thousands of years ago pearls were most likely discovered while searching the seashore for food. Throughout history, the warm glow and iridescent shine of the pearl soon became one of the most highly prized and sought after gems.  The ancient Egyptians prized pearls so much they were buried with them.  I read somewhere that Cleopatra reportedly dissolved a single pearl in a glass of wine and drank it. Not exactly what I’d consider a great cocktail.
Pearls with their unrivaled beauty are often associated with love and marriage. In the early 1950’s they were traditionally given to girls at their cotillion and graduation or sweet sixteen parties.
Unfortunately, greed and lust for the sea-grown gems resulted in the depletion of virtually all of the American pearl oyster populations by the 17th century. Until the early 1900's, natural pearls were accessible only to the rich and famous. In 1916, a French jeweler named Jacques Cartier bought his jewelry store on Fifth Avenue in New York by trading two pearl necklaces for the property.  It would be nice to be able to do that now. Today, thanks to cultivation, pearls are available and affordable to all.
I recently was fortunate enough to purchase a bag of cultured pearls. I've always found pearls to be very elegant. But, I love the idea of wearing them with jeans and a tee shirt too. I made this bracelet using some of the pearls.

On sale now for $22.99
Available at  Blue Iris Gifts
katherine

18 comments:

  1. i am now following you from the hop and would love to have you follow me back http://mizzreviewlady-mommyreviews.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi!
    I am sorry but I have to delete your link on the Meet Me on Monday linky because you did not participate and post your questions and answers in your post!
    I would love to have you join so please come back once you have your Meet Me On Monday post completed!
    Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Making Friends on Monday! I'm following your blog now! Looking forward to reading more posts!

    Anna, The Pilot's Wife
    www.pilotwife.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I've recently receive a pearl necklace as a present... It's pink, though I'm not sure whether it's real or not, and since it's rude to ask the person that gave me that present, I still don't know whether it's cultured pearl or not.

    Believe it or not, I watch a Thai's drama once, and it's about Pearl's farm... lol, I think I'm yapping... just want to say great post.

    Visit my blog if you have time:
    http://4mazingdeals.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. New follower from Mom Blog Monday hop

    http://lifewithabigfamily.blogspot.com/

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  6. Hello! Thanks for linking up at Making Friends Monday! What a great blog! I am now following you! I look forward to reading more from you! Have a great week! !~Heather www.livingonloveandcents.blogspot.com

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  7. I saw this blog listed on Bloggy Moms, but didn't realize it was yours! I love your other blog. I also really love pearls. My birthday is in June, so I claim pearls as my birthstone. My daughter Maggie's name (Margaret, also my Grandma's name) means pearl in Greek. I have always been drawn to pearls. I am following this blog, too. Looking forward to updates!
    jeri
    www.mothering4.com

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  8. Stopping in from the Tuesday hop. I'm a new follower!

    Stop by if you get a chance:

    Coupon Clippin' Daddy

    ReplyDelete
  9. Following your other blogs and just started following this new blog! Please check out my new blog at http://kaitlinandkylies.blogspot.com/
    Thanks!:)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm following you
    http://denkli-satisfyyoursenses.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm a new follower from Follow Back Tuesday.

    Come visit me at http://preciouscupcakes.blogspot.com. Thanks :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi! Nice blog I hopped in. I am on the Follow Me Back Tuesday Hop
    I am following you.
    Sure would be peachy if you could clickity-click one or all places for me! (if you haven't already)
    I am an up and coming review/giveaway/family blog
    Cheers!
    Laurie

    Blog: http://grandma-sez-so.blogspot.com
    FB FAN Page: http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=129456550445000
    Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/geneveve2
    Stumble: http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/lharrison6/
    Network Blogs: http://apps.facebook.com/blognetworks/syndication.php?blogid=608121

    ReplyDelete
  13. Such beautiful pearls...
    Stopping by and following your blog from the F.M.B.T blog hop...
    Have a happy holiday season!
    Best,
    Elizabeth

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  14. Thanks for sharing that info about pearls, that's really interesting. I'm your newest follower from the Catch a Wave Wednesday blog hop! Come follow me too!
    http://curliegirlie03.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for the follow. I am now following you as well. :)

    Happy Holidays!
    Jessica

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  16. Lovely blog!

    Following you from MBC. I hope you'll follow back and leave a comment on my blog.

    Thanks!

    Mayra

    www.mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am an old lady. Some advice, I have worn my long strand of pears more that any other jewerly.
    Why? Because they are timeless. The best buy
    you can make.

    yvonne

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  18. I will definitely check out your shops and I have also bookmarked you too!

    ReplyDelete

Lovely words

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