Pearls have been known and loved for thousands of years. The oldest mention of natural pearls, was written by a Chinese historian in 2206 BCE (before the common era). This precious stone can be found inside mollusks in large bodies of water, around the United States, China, Australia, and more. There are different types of mollusks that form pearls; the size and colors of pearls depend on which type of mollusk they are formed in. The most common type of pearls are called Akoya pearls and have various colors, white, cream, light grey, and more. Akoya pearls are found in a type of oyster called Pincada fucata. These oysters are native to shallow saltwater in the Indo-Pacific region. Japan and Australia are the largest producers of cultured pearls.
The pearl symbolizes purity and innocence, this is the main reason why it is a tradition for brides to wear pearls on their wedding day. Not only is it June’s popular birthstone, but it is also common to gift your partner pearls on the 3rd and 30th wedding anniversaries. In ancient China, pearls were believed to protect the wearer from fire-breathing dragons. The spherical shape and the brilliance of this gem, led many cultures to associate pearls with the moon.