Pearls have been considered a mark of elegance and royalty for many a centuries. They have not only adorned the ears and necks of the affluent, but also been made a part of clothing for Kings and Queens. Over the years, they have come to be associated with rarity, finesse, admiration & value, and are thus used as metaphors to describe the same.
The fact that pearls have been valued and collected for over 4,000 years, endows them with the unique quality of being one of the world’s oldest gems. They have also enjoyed over 3,000 years of glory in India, with their first-ever mention being in the Rigvedas. 500 years later they were again mentioned in the Atharaveda as part of a talisman. They have also been brought up in the Ramayana, where the epic poem describes a necklace made of 27 pearls. India’s splendid relationship with these lustrous gems does not end with that, the Nizams of Hyderabad became so fond of these precious jewels that their love for the same led the capital to be known as the ‘City of Pearls’, even though it is far from the sea.
While in earlier times, pearls had to be retrieved out of the depths of the ocean by professional divers, they are now harvested and cultivated in fresh water. This makes the pearls available in the market fall into either of two categories: real and cultured. Of the cultured variety, Hyderabadi Pearls are the most popular and thus, sought after. The ideal pearl is considered to be perfectly round and smooth, however, there are various other shapes that have come to be adored. Wrapping your pearls in a linen cloth or pure silk has been accepted as the best way to preserve their luster and beauty for long!
The fact that pearls have been valued and collected for over 4,000 years, endows them with the unique quality of being one of the world’s oldest gems. They have also enjoyed over 3,000 years of glory in India, with their first-ever mention being in the Rigvedas. 500 years later they were again mentioned in the Atharaveda as part of a talisman. They have also been brought up in the Ramayana, where the epic poem describes a necklace made of 27 pearls. India’s splendid relationship with these lustrous gems does not end with that, the Nizams of Hyderabad became so fond of these precious jewels that their love for the same led the capital to be known as the ‘City of Pearls’, even though it is far from the sea.
While in earlier times, pearls had to be retrieved out of the depths of the ocean by professional divers, they are now harvested and cultivated in fresh water. This makes the pearls available in the market fall into either of two categories: real and cultured. Of the cultured variety, Hyderabadi Pearls are the most popular and thus, sought after. The ideal pearl is considered to be perfectly round and smooth, however, there are various other shapes that have come to be adored. Wrapping your pearls in a linen cloth or pure silk has been accepted as the best way to preserve their luster and beauty for long!
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