Pearls have been highly sought after since they were first discovered. They are also amongst the world’s oldest gems. Even though some would argue that all pearls are beautiful and special in their own way, there have been a select few that stand out even today. Some of these famous pearls are more than thousands of years old. Even better is that you can still see a great number of these for yourself.

The Abernathy Pearl

It is unlikely that the Scottish rivers will ever produce anything as perfect as this 44-grain, natural freshwater pearl. Bill Abernathy – a professional pearl diver – found this pearl in 1967 in the River Tay. While most people equate pearls with the Orient and the Caribbean, Scottish rivers have been home to some of the most wonderful pearls in existence. The pearl was sold for an undisclosed sum in 1992 after having been on display in a jewelry store for almost thirty years. read more

If you are spending money on pearls, you want them to last as long as possible and look good continuously. That is why it is important to know how to clean your pearls and how to care for them. This knowledge is important to keep them looking great.

Pearls are composed of calcium carbonate and are the world’s only organic gem. In order to maintain their luster, pearls have some very specific cleaning needs. Cultured pearls form when a bead is inserted into a shell. The oyster that the bead is inserted into provides the ‘nacre,’ the beautiful coat that makes pearls so special. read more