Pearls: Gem with a past, a still lustrous future

by Kari
(Iowa)

Pearl and Emerald Colored Mother of Pearl Necklace by KariPearls

By Karla Klein Albertson

From The Inquirer Read entire article here.

Ah, pearls: lustrous to the eye, smooth on the skin, and very hard to resist. Maybe you're thinking of buying some for your valentine.
Virtually since the first explorers came ashore from the Atlantic, pearls have been an American favorite. The Western Hemisphere became known as the "Land of Pearls" when Columbus discovered an abundant supply of saltwater pearls off the coast of Venezuela in 1498.

John Loring, design director at Tiffany's, estimates that more than 13 tons of the shimmering gems were taken to Europe by the Spanish in the early 16th century.