Pearls have captivated humanity's desire for centuries, emblems of elegance and rarity plucked from the ocean's depths. These precious gems, forged within the hearts of mollusks, carry an allure that transcends time and culture. From the regal adornments to the modern runways of haute couture, pearls have woven their tale of natural splendour into the fabric of human history. The gemstone continues to enchant and inspire, whether set in stunning pearl necklaces and chokers, elegant bracelets, studs, or exquisite earrings.
Behind the lustrous facades of these coveted treasures lies a world of diversity, each pearl bearing its unique story, origins, and characteristics. This exploration delves into the 5 most valuable pearls in the world - unveiling their secrets and the reasons behind their enduring popularity.
Pearls (Moti Stone): A Brief Overview
Pearls have adorned humans for centuries, with ancient Greece documenting early uses, believing pearls to be the tears of the gods.
Pearls form naturally as a defence mechanism in mollusks like oysters and freshwater mussels. When an irritant, such as a parasite, enters the shell, the mollusk coats it in layers of aragonite and conchiolin, creating nacre, or mother-of-pearl. Nacre is known for its iridescent luster and strong, resilient structure, making it highly valued in jewelry. In cultured pearl farming, humans insert an irritant to induce pearl formation deliberately.
While pinctada oysters and mussels are most commonly used for pearl cultivation, other mollusks and snails can also produce pearls, sometimes without nacre. Pearls have been harvested from waters in many regions around the world, with historically profitable fisheries in areas like the Persian Gulf, India, Japan, and parts of the Pacific Islands. Today, while wild pearl fishing still exists, most pearls are produced through cultivation, particularly in countries like Japan, China, and Australia.
Natural pearls form inside mollusks in the wild without human intervention, making them extremely rare. Most available natural pearls are antique pieces prized for their unique beauty and historical significance. Cultured pearls, however, are grown on farms through human intervention. Pearl farmers delicately insert a pearl bead or shell tissue into the mollusk to initiate pearl growth. Over time, the mollusk meticulously coats this nucleus with layer upon layer of nacre, imbuing the pearl with its luster and iridescence. Traditional colours such as white, pink, purple, and black pearls are common.
Pearls are highly valued in jewelry, and frequently used in earrings, studs, and chokers to create elegant and timeless pieces. Their versatile beauty makes them pearls a popular choice for both classic and contemporary designs.
Top 5 Most Popular Pearls
Now that you understand the basics of pearls, let's dive into the details of the most popular pearls in the world. Here is everything you need to know about the world's top 5 most popular and valuable pearls.
1. Pearl of Allah/Pearl of Lao Tzu
The Pearl of Allah, also known as the Pearl of Lao Tzu, was unearthed in 1934 amidst the waters surrounding Palawan Island in the Philippines. Local lore attributes its name to its peculiar resemblance to a turbaned and bearded figure, a feature that prompted the Muslim community to dub it the "Pearl of Allah". Tragically, the pearl's discovery came at the cost of a young diver's life. While attempting to extract it from a giant clam, he became trapped, losing his life in the process. His comrades retrieved both the clam and his body, unveiling the remarkable find.
The Dayak tribe's chief perceived the pearl as a divine blessing, deeming it the "Pearl of Allah," a manifestation of God's grace upon Palawan. American naturalist Wilburn Cobb acquired the pearl in 1939, which was gifted by the chief in gratitude for saving his son's life. Cobb transported the pearl to the United States for exhibitions.
Measuring over 9 inches in length and weighing 14 pounds, the Pearl of Allah boasts a porcelain-like appearance, a testament to its origin within the clam. Its estimated worth exceeds $3.5 million, a reflection of its rarity and unique history, solidifying its status as a culturally and historically significant artefact.
The Pearl of Allah, also known as The Pearl of Lao Tzu
2. La Peregrina Pearl
"La Peregrina," meaning "the Pilgrim" or "the Wanderer" in Spanish, is a renowned pear-shaped white pearl originally weighing 223.8 grains. Discovered in 1513 off the Pearl Islands in the Gulf of Panama, it was the largest pearl found during that period. The popular story claims an African slave in the Spanish colony of Panama discovered the pearl and was freed as a reward due to its beauty. However, historical discrepancies suggest either the date or the story may not be entirely accurate, as there were no slaves in Panama at that time.
The pearl was eventually given to Don Pedro de Temez, the administrator of the Panama colony, who then sent it to Spain as a gift for King Philip II. Philip presented La Peregrina to Queen Mary I of England as a wedding gift and a 1554 portrait of Mary depicts her wearing it as a pendant on a brooch. After Mary died in 1558, Queen Elizabeth I diplomatically returned the pearl to Spain to ease tensions between the two nations.
La Peregrina remained in the Spanish crown jewels for over 250 years, worn by queens during significant historical events. In the early 1800s, Joseph Bonaparte, ousted from ruling Spain, took several crown jewels, including La Peregrina, to France. He later willed the pearl to his nephew Napoleon III, who sold it to the Duke of Abercorn. True to its name, "La Peregrina" travelled from America to Spain, briefly to England, back to Spain for over 250 years, then to France, and back to England with the Dukes of Abercorn. In 1969, Richard Burton purchased it for his wife, Elizabeth Taylor.
Over its 500-year history, La Peregrina has adorned various jewelry pieces, such as pendants, chokers, necklace centres, and hat ornaments. After Elizabeth Taylor died in 2011, La Peregrina was auctioned for over $11 million and is now privately owned.
The La Peregrina Pearl
3. The Hope Pearl
The Hope Pearl, a significant gem in Henry Philip Hope's collection, was acquired in the late 18th century, adding to his array of treasures. Its origins trace back further, with some speculation that it may have been in the possession of Jean-Baptiste Tavernier before landing in the hands of King Louis XIV in 1669. Despite uncertainties about its pre-Hope ownership, the pearl's size and characteristics suggest it likely originated from classic pearl fishing regions like the Persian Gulf or the Red Sea.
Weighing around 1,800 grains or 450 carats, the Hope Pearl is a natural saltwater baroque pearl, once considered one of the largest of its kind. Its unique cylindrical drop shape, coupled with its size and color gradient from greenish-gold to white, garnered significant attention during the late 16th to 17th centuries, sparking interest in baroque pearls and jewelry.
Following Hope's passing, his extensive gem collection became the subject of dispute among his nephews. While the exact division of assets remains unclear, one nephew likely inherited the Hope Pearl, later lending it to London's South Kensington Museum. Ultimately, it was auctioned at Christie's in 1886 for £9,000, eventually finding its way into the collection of a UAE diplomat in 1975, who purchased it for $200,000, further solidifying its storied history and value in the world of pearls and gemstones.
The Hope Pearl
4. The Imperial Hong Kong Pearl
The "Imperial Hong Kong Pearl" also known as the "Miracle of the Sea" is believed to have once belonged to Empress Dowager Cixi, who ruled China for nearly five decades until her death in 1908. According to Chinese funeral tradition, this massive pearl the size of a Robin’s egg was placed in her mouth before burial alongside other precious jewels and ornaments in her tomb.
However, in 1928, the empress dowager's resting place was disturbed and looted of its treasures, including the large pearl placed with her remains.
It is uncertain how the pearl, now known as the Imperial Hong Kong Pearl, went to British-controlled Hong Kong. Records show it was purchased there in the 1940s by the esteemed American pearl company Imperial Pearl Syndicate. This history likely influenced its name, alluding to both the buyer and the location of the acquisition.
The "Imperial Hong Kong Pearl” is an enormous silvery white baroque pearl with an irregular drop-shape. It measures 26 x 39 mm and weighs 25.5 grams, equivalent to 127.5 carats. It is one of the largest nacreous pearls discovered in the world. It is believed to have originated in a saltwater oyster species known as Pinctada maxima, which is common in the South Seas between Southern China and Northern Australia.
Its silvery white hue and irregular teardrop contours set it apart as a rare natural specimen of immense beauty and historical significance. Today, the pearl is set in a platinum and diamond pendant, in which the irregular drop-shaped pearl is encrusted at its upper end with a platinum foliage design. The composite design gives the appearance of a fruit and foliage setting, reminiscent of the designs of jewelry of the Renaissance period.
The Imperial Hong Kong Pearl
5. The Abernethy Pearl
Discovered in 1967 in Scotland's River Tay, the Abernethy Pearl remains one of the most phenomenal natural pearls on record. Approximately the size of a marble at 14.125 carats in weight, it gained attention for its near-perfect spherical shape and classification as the largest freshwater pearl in the world.
Found by pearl diver William Abernethy along the Perth coastline, it came to be known affectionately as the "Little Willie" pearl. Its scientific name, Margaritifera margaritifera, identifies it as a product of the freshwater mollusk species historically abundant in Scottish rivers.
After discovering the Abernethy Pearl, the pearl was sold for an undisclosed sum to the owners of Cairncross Jewelers in Perth. Cairncross Jewelers placed the Abernethy Pearl on permanent display in their stores, and since then have been viewed by innumerable visitors from the UK and abroad.
The Abernethy Pearl (left) & William Abernethy (right)
Conclusive Reflections
From ancient cultures to modern fashion, pearls have captivated humanity with their intrinsic beauty, forged from nature's mysteries within the ocean's depths. Pearls are highly valued gemstones in jewelry, often featured in earrings, studs, and chokers, showcasing their timeless elegance and versatility.
Tracing the journey of these five most renowned pearls illuminates why they have endured as treasures across centuries, continually inspiring awe and admiration. Each pearl tells a unique story of cultural heritage, historical intrigue, or phenomenal structural attributes.
