Pearls are the first recorded gems in the world, and have been known throughout history as the "Queen of Gems."
During the reign of the Roman Empire, pearls could only be worn by the elite classes. Some European countries even passed laws regarding who could and could not wear pearls. Although pearls are no longer a symbol of a particular caste, they remain a symbol of class.
Pearl jewelry in human culture dates back between the 9th and 7th Centuries B.C.
The oldest known piece is believed to be a white pearl strand found adorning an ancient sarcophagus in Persia.
