Read about the Pearl of Allah for a history filled with mystery and dishonesty. There is an article you can read by clicking the "In the News" button up and to your left.
Therere is also a thread called "Pearl of Allah fact, pearl of Laotsu fiction" that has all the facts organized in the news article.
For a fiction book that is an easy read and follows the history of a fictional piece of jewelry with some fab rubies and pearls, try
The Love of Stones by Tobias Hill. Available at Amazon for pennies on the dollar. .30 seems to be the going price
here