The Legends, Lore, and Legacy of Pearls 

Legend has it that actress and princess Grace Kelly called the pearl “the queen of gems and gem of queens”.  Jackie O was rumored to have said “pearls are always appropriate”. The embodiment of elegance, the pearl is surrounded by lore, legend, and a long legacy as healer and wisdom-bringer to those who wear it. Read along to discover some of our favorite stories about this small but mighty gem. 

Legend of the Pearl’s Beginnings 

While many ancient civilizations have their version of how the pearl came into being, one of the most poignant is a twelfth-century Persian legend. When a giant shell rose out of the sea and opened up to the rain, a seed was planted that became a pearl. Another version says that the pearl came out of a rainbow that spread over all the earth after a storm had besieged it. Born of the Earth's waters and the heaven's powers, fertilized by a flash of lightning, it was said to be the daughter of the moon. Any imperfections in the pearl’s appearance were because of the thunder and lightning.  

Ancient Japanese folklore says that pearls were created out of the tears of mermaids, 

nymphs, and other mythical beings. An early Chinese story relates that pearls, namely black pearls, were formed in a dragon’s head and would fall from the sky when the dragons fought among the clouds. The story goes that pearls were carried between a dragon’s teeth and that in order to collect any, you first had to slay the dragon.  

Lore Surrounding the Pearl 

Many tales surround the pearl as a highly coveted sphere of mystery and beauty. Ancient Asians and Egyptians believed so much in their value, they buried their dead with them. In some instances, the pearl was placed in the mouths of the deceased, in hopes it would assist them on their journey to the afterlife.  

According to Hindu folklore, pearls were thought to be dewdrops that fell from the moon into the sea, and Krishna picked one for his daughter on her wedding day. 

Tahitian lore tells of Oro, the god of peace and fertility, how when he visited the earth, he arrived on a rainbow with a magical oyster. Within it, a single black pearl that he offered to the princess of Bora Bora as a token of his undying affection. 

Egyptians claim that Cleopatra dissolved a pearl in a glass of wine and drank it to prove to Mark Antony that she was capable of consuming the entire riches of the whole population.   

The Bible likens pearls to wisdom, cautioning against wasting it on fruitless endeavors, when it admonishes against “throwing pearls before swine”.   

Legacy as Pure Protector 

Unlike any other gem, the pearl is the only one made from a living creature. Scholar Stephan Hoeller said “the pearl is a beautiful thing… produced by an injured life”. For this reason, some believe that pearls are surrounded by bad luck and the only way to counteract that is to always give pearls out of love, without any malintent or jealousy.  

  Because of its origin story as a child of sky and sea, it is often associated with the moon and water, and as such, a strong channel of feminine energy. Women have been known to wear pearls while giving birth. Pearls are said to radiate a calming effect, balance out karma, strengthen relationships, and even keep children safe. Surrounded by its aura of innocence and integrity, the pearl is also seen as an attractant for good luck and fortune. When one wears pearls, it is seen a symbol for wisdom gained through a learning experience. 

Visit our Shreve & Co. location in Palo Alto to explore our selection of pearls!