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Discover the Alluring World of Pearls: Top 7 Fun Facts You Never Knew!

illustration of pearls
Dive into the fascinating world of lustrous pearls and uncover the shiny secrets behind these oceanic gems as you explore our collection of fun facts about pearls!

1. Pearls: Nature's Spa Treatment

Some say nature loves to pamper: pearls, in their diva-esque wisdom, have long been slathering themselves in rich minerals, amino acids, and the highly coveted, collagen-boosting "conchiolin" to keep their glamorous glow – and legend has it that our ocean friends could help us do the same! On a more factual note: pearls have been utilized in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda for centuries due to their plethora of over 30 trace minerals, essential amino acids, and the elusive conchiolin, which is thought to promote collagen production for plump, seemingly ageless, and glowingly radiant skin; but alas, modern science has yet to confirm these wondrous claims.
Source => mindbodygreen.com

2. The Mollusk's Time-Consuming Gem

Pearl-y whites aren't just for dentists: A pearl can take anywhere from six months to an astounding seven years to form inside a mollusk, depending on the species. This is due to a fascinating process where a foreign object gets lodged in the mollusk's mantle, causing it to create a cozy sac and secrete shiny layers of nacre until a gorgeous pearl is born, ranging from classic cream-colored akoya jewels to exotic Tahitian gems and beyond.
Source => 4cs.gia.edu

3. Pearls Thrive on Drama

It turns out, pearls can make you a claptivist too, oysterly! They just can't resist soaking up all your body's drama, and their glow-up on your skin is nothing short of pearl-fection: Wearing pearls frequently actually enhances their beauty and luster, as they absorb and thrive in the warmth, humidity, as well as body oils and sweat of their wearer, with no evidence suggesting salt content playing a role.
Source => pearl-guide.com

4. The Diverse Pearl Family

They say variety is the spice of life, but it turns out it's also the pearl of the ocean: Not all pearls are the same, as there exists a diverse assortment such as Akoya, freshwater, Tahitian, South Sea, Mabe, blister, Keshi, and the rosy-hued pearls from Conch. Each comes with its unique qualities, including shape, size, color, and luster. In fact, cultivating these lustrous orbs is a challenging endeavor that depends on a flourishing marine environment, meticulous technicians, and the patience of a sea turtle; the effort is worth it though, as a mere 2 percent of a pearl farm's harvest generates a whopping 95 percent of its income!
Source => sevenseasmedia.org

Julius Caesar's Pearl Patrol

5. Julius Caesar's Pearl Patrol

When Julius Caesar wasn't tossing his salad, he played Roman fashion police: Caesar enacted a law that restricted the use of luxury items like pearls to specific social statuses and age groups, only to be flaunted during particular days, curbing the chance of a Pearl-pocalypse among the plebeians.
Source => history.stackexchange.com

6. The Pearl-powered Skincare Elixir

Who says beauty is only skin-deep? Mother-of-pearl has booked a one-way trip to the fountain of youth and is giving your skincare game a major glow-up: Pearls contain essential amino acids that promote cell renewal and are used in high-end skincare products like Marutea and Life Pearl, reducing wrinkles and providing firmness, toning, and illumination for the skin.
Source => ganoksin.com

7. Mesopotamian Pearl Craze

Before Splashy McPearlace and the bejeweled twinklegrams paved the way towards the pearly gates of fashion, our ancient Mesopotamian mates had long held these lustrous treasures on a shimmering pedestal: In fact, pearls were considered one of the most valuable gems in ancient Mesopotamia, often used to embellish the attire of royalty and noblemen. However, instead of creating strings of pearls, they crafted intricate designs using individual pearls or combined them with other precious gemstones. Some rulers even flaunted their opulence by commissioning garments made entirely of pearls!
Source => timelessmyths.com

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