Precious pearls
By Jen Waters
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
June 16, 2005
After Mr. Latendresse became an expert in natural pearls, the Japanese challenged him to produce cultured pearls, Ms. Latendresse says. Her father engineered a freshwater pearl from a mussel, which has a different anatomy from that of the Japanese pearl-bearing oyster.
Although many beautiful cultured pearls have been engineered, "La Peregrina," or "The Pilgrim," which is featured in the Smithsonian exhibit, is a superb example of a natural pearl, says Mr. Post, who holds a doctorate in mineralogy.
Discovered by a slave in the Gulf of Panama in the mid-16th century, the pear-shaped gem eventually made its way to Queen Mary Tudor. King Phillip II of Spain gave it to her as a wedding present.
Later, other Spanish royals enjoyed the gem. The Bonaparte family in France acquired the stone until the son of French Emperor Napoleon III sold it to the British Marquis of Abercorn.
Most recently, in 1969, actor Richard Burton bought the gem for $37,000 as a Valentine's Day gift for his wife, Elizabeth Taylor. The stone is now set in a diamond, ruby and pearl necklace, which is on loan for the exhibit from Miss Taylor.
"You get a dress made for the necklace," Mr. Post says. "Then, you wear your hair up so you don't hide any of the necklace."
Among the other stunning natural pearls in the exhibition is the "Pearl of Asia," Mr. Post says. It is the largest known natural pearl, originating from the Persian Gulf. In the 1600s, Indian Emperor Prince Khurram, who built the Taj Mahal, gave the stone to his wife. Today, the oblong-shaped pearl is part of a private collection in Europe.
Although perfectly round cultured pearls are prized today, years ago, naturally grown odd-shaped pearls were considered highly valuable as nature's perfect creation, Mr. Post says.
Another elongated pearl in the exhibit is the "Hope Pearl," once owned by Henry Philip Hope, a London banker in the early 1800s. Hope also owned the Hope Diamond, which is housed at the National Museum of Natural History as well.
When buying pearls -- particularly because pearls are June's birthstone -- there are a few factors that should be considered, says Robert Cepek, president of Iridesse Pearls in New York City. The company sells pearls ranging in price from $100 to $50,000. It is one of the sponsors of the Smithsonian exhibit.
Size, shape, luster, color, surface quality and nacre quality are important, he says. When buying a strand of pearls, whether the pearls match should be noted.
"People have always loved pearl," Mr. Cepek says. "It's really a wonder of nature. There's a magic to it that has always interested mankind."
The gems continue as iconic symbols of wealth and prestige, says Jeremy Shepherd, owner of PearlParadise.com, located in Santa Monica, Calif. The Web site is the largest online retailer of pearls in the United States.
Legends have surrounded the stones for centuries, he says. Records in China suggest that pearls were prized possessions as early as 2300 B.C.. They are referred to in the Bible in the passage, "Do not cast your pearls before swine."
Over the years, some people believed pearls were tears from God, he says. Others stories suggested that the oysters traveled to the surface of the ocean in the middle of the night. Supposedly, when they opened their shells, they would collect drops of dew that would form pearls.
"A lot of people say that pearls are the next diamond," Mr. Shepherd says. "Pearls have never been unpopular."
